Sports

Led by defense, Pacers take 2-1 lead into Game 4 against Wizards; getting 'mojo back'

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Washington Wizards forward Nene (42) of Brazil shoots between Indiana Pacers guard George Hill and Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) during the second half of Game 3 of an Eastern Conference semifinal NBA basketball playoff game in Washington, Friday, May 9, 2014. The Pacers won 85-63. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (The Associated Press)

Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) celebrates his high scoring game with teammate forward Paul George, right, during the second half of Game 3 of an Eastern Conference semifinal NBA basketball playoff game in Washington, Friday, May 9, 2014. The Pacers won 85-63. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (The Associated Press)

The Indiana Pacers are back to playing their brand of defense. They're also back to winning.

The Pacers hold a 2-1 lead over the Wizards in their Eastern Conference semifinal series heading into Game 4 on Sunday.

Indiana has won two games in a row, limiting John Wall and Washington to 82 points in Game 2, then a franchise-record-low 63 points in Game 3.

That's the formula the Pacers used while earning the No. 1 seed in the East, giving up an average of 92.3 points in the regular season to rank second among 30 NBA teams.

Indiana had a 46-13 record on March 2, then dropped off for the next 1½ months, going 10-13.

Says guard George Hill: "We're starting to get our mojo back."