The Washington Wizards play the Indiana Pacers on Monday in Game 1 of the second-round 2014 NBA playoffs. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. ET. Watch the live stream or listen to the radio broadcast via the links provided below.
Indiana needed seven games to advance past the eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks. The Pacers' 92-80 win on Saturday closed out the series, thanks to big performances from Paul George (30 points, 11 rebounds), Lance Stephenson (19 points, 14 rebounds) and Roy Hibbert (13 points, 7 rebounds).
Although playing seven games didn't afford Indiana any extra rest, coach Frank Vogel believes their series against the Hawks has prepared them for Washington in the second round.
"I think (Hawks guard Jeff) Teague helped us prepare for John Wall," Vogel told the Associated Press. "I think (Hawks forward Paul) Millsap helped us prepare for Nene. And (Hawks guard Kyle) Korver helped us prepare for Bradley Beal. But they're a different team. I think the heightened alertness, more than anything, will hopefully help us going into this series."
Atlanta's speed and ability on the wing were headaches for Indiana, but George, like Vogel, believes the experience will pay dividends against the Wizards.
"I think (Atlanta) helped us in terms of understanding how to be in gaps, being there for one another, rotating, so we're ready for the next round," George said.
Beal, who's become one of the league's premier shooters, agreed about his teams similarities to Atlanta.
"They play somewhat similar to what we do," Beal said. "And the Pacers are just a big, physical team. They can play fast, but they can play slow at the same time, and that's a great defensive team. So we're definitely going to have our hands full."
Washington enjoyed five additional days of rest after beating the Chicago Bulls in five games.
"For me, the more time, the better," Wizards veteran Al Harrington said. "But for these (younger) guys, I know they're champing at the bit, they're ready to go."
Watch the live stream HERE, or listen to the radio broadcast HERE (WAS) and HERE (IND).
