By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Washington Wizards put on a convincing display against the Indiana Pacers, beating them 142-115 and sealing the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Russell Westbrook paced the team’s efforts with 18 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds while Bradley Beal scored 25 points on 4-7 from deep.
“We were struggling and everybody was down on the outside and we had to figure out a way to knuckle up and make the playoffs,” Westbrook said about his playoff promise to the team. “Simple as that. I didn’t care what happened in the previous games. … We had to figure ourselves out, look at ourselves in the mirror, starting with myself. I made it clear to the guys that we’ll make it,” Westbrook said.
Rui Hachimura helped with 18 of his own while Daniel Gafford logged 15 points and 13 boards. For Indiana, Domantas Sabonis had 19 points, 11 rebounds, and ten assists while Malcolm Brogdon scored 24.
With this win, the Wizards are the final entry to the playoffs in the East and will match up against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The bracket is as follows:
(1) Philadelphia 76ers – Washington Wizards (8)
(4) New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks (5)
(3) Milwaukee Bucks – Miami Heat (6)
(2) Brooklyn Nets – Boston Celtics (7)