February 23rd, 2011 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in 
Danny Granger
The Indiana Pacers, under interim coach Frank Vogel, have experienced an offensive renaissance, averaging around 107 PPG. Many reasons are behind the resurgence, including buying into the coach’s mantra of positive reinforcement, along with simply a better game plan.
The Pacers, currently 7-3 under Vogel, were looking to snap a two-game skid Wednesday night as they took on the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center.
To say the game turned ugly is an understatement as they put the game to rest late in the second quarter as they manufactured a 10-0 run then opened the third with a 15-3 explosion, allowing Indiana to annihilate Washington 113-96.
The first quarter for both teams was competitive enough as the Wizards outscored the Pacers by five, but by late in the second, Indiana came back with a vengeance, going on a 10-0 run. They would open the third with a 15-3 explosion, putting the game – and presumably the 14,328 who showed up – to bed.
Indiana had 26 fast-break points by the end of the third and would have eclipsed their season-high of 28, except that they slowed things down once they maintained their insurmountable double-digit advantage.
Balanced scoring was the rule for the Pacers as they were led by Danny Granger with 21 points, along with 10 rebounds and 2 assists while Tyler Hansbrough came off the bench to add 17 with 5 rebounds, an assist and a block. Roy Hibbert chipped in 16 with 6 rebounds with a steal and 4 blocks.
Andray Blatche led the Wizards with 21 points, along with 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals while Nick Young added 16 with 5 rebounds and 2 assists. John Wall nearly earned a triple-double, scoring 15 with 8 rebounds and 10 assists, but also committing 6 turnovers.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday night as Indiana (25-30) returns home to host the Detroit Pistons while Washington (15-40) makes the short commute to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers.
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