INDIANAPOLIS -- The Wizards were tired of getting shoved around in the Eastern Conference semifinals. So on Tuesday night, Marcin Gortat and his teammates pushed back hard. Gortat delivered the best playoff game of his career, 31 points and 16 rebounds, and John Wall scored a playoff-best 27 points as Washington routed the Indiana Pacers 102-79 to cut the Eastern Conference semifinals deficit to 3-2. "We dont have anything to lose now," Gortat said. "We play desperate. At the end of the day, we might lose. We have to play every minute of every game like its the last one of the season." The Wizards made a stunning turnaround after losing three straight, two on their home court in incredibly demoralizing fashion. Washington scored a franchise-low 63 points in Game 3 and then blew a 19-point, second-half lead in Game 4. Washington refused to let it happen again this time, earning a trip home for Game 6 on Thursday. The difference was obvious. Wall broke free, Gortat dominated the middle and the motivated Wizards were simply overwhelming inside with a 62-23 rebounding edge. Gortat produced more points and rebounds in 36 minutes than he had in the previous two games combined (six points and 13 rebounds). He was 13 of 15 from the field, 5 of 7 from the free-throw line, tied his career-best point total and finished with playoff career bests for points and rebounds. "I was a decoy in Game 3 and Game 4," the 30-year-old Polish native said. "(Tuesday) was the time for me to perform. At some point in the second half, it was just fun to be in the game." Wall seemed to enjoy himself, too. The much more aggressive point guard went 11 of 20 from the field and 3 of 6 on 3s, finishing with five rebounds, five assists and five turnovers as he sliced through the Pacers defence. "They didnt stop me from being aggressive on both ends," Wall said. "But the biggest thing was just the way we played in the third quarter. They outscored us by like 40 in the other four games, so the third quarter was big for us tonight." The 31-14 disparity during those 12 minutes completely changed the game, putting talk about the presumed conference finals rematch between Indiana and two-time defending NBA champ Miami temporarily on hold. One possible explanation for what happened to the Pacers was fatigue. Four of Indianas five starters played at least 39 minutes in Game 4. Coach Frank Vogel was concerned enough that he gave the Pacers a day off Monday. David West led Indiana with 17 points and six rebounds, but Paul George struggled after playing 46 minutes in Game 4. He was 5 of 15 from the field with 15 points, one rebound, two assists and four turnovers. But the problems went much deeper that weariness. West was only the starter to grab more than two rebounds, Washington held Indiana to 39 per cent shooting and they continually beat the Pacers to loose balls. This was not what Indiana expected. "We didnt show up to play. I dont know if we just thought we were going to come in here and these guys were going to roll over or what. They just played at a different level than we did all night," West said after Indianas second-worst home playoff loss in its NBA history. "Its a tough situation. We have to be able to handle these moments. We had no zip. We have to play. If we want this series, we have to take it." Washington was the team doing that Tuesday. The Wizards used a 15-6 run to close the half, turning a 32-30 deficit into a 45-38 lead. In the disastrous third quarter, Indiana was outrebounded 18-4 and the Wizards made them pay time after time. Washingtons 6-0 run extended the lead to 11, a 9-2 spurt pushed the margin to 60-45, and when the Wizards closed the third on a 10-3 charge, it was 76-52. Washington led by as much as 30 in the fourth, and the Pacers didnt even start cutting into the deficit until Vogel pulled his starters midway through the quarter. "Theyre not ready to go home," coach Randy Wittman said. "It said 3-1, which doesnt sound very good, but in our minds, were very close to it being something else. They dont want this (season) to end." Notes: Washington is 5-1 on the road and 1-3 at home in this years playoffs. ... Indianas worst home playoff loss came April 30, 2005 when Boston won 110-79. ... The Wizards have won two of their last three in Indy despite coming into the series with 12 consecutive losses at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. ... Indianas 23 rebounds were a franchise low in the playoffs. Cheap Redskins Jerseys . -- Chicago manager Darold Butler has a message for the Windy City. Authentic Redskins Jerseys . - The Toronto Blue Jays have optioned pitchers Kyle Drabek, Chad Jenkins and Sean Nolin to triple-A Buffalo. http://www.cheapredskinsjerseyselite.com/ . Mesoraco hurt his hamstring while scoring from second in Friday nights 5-4 loss at Atlanta. Chapman was hit by a line drive during an exhibition game on March 19, breaking his nose and a bone above his left eye. The left-hander looked strong while throwing 43 pitches in batting practice before Saturday nights game against the Braves. Whholesale Redskins Jerseys . A day after FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said three stadiums would not be ready in time for the Dec. 31 deadline, Brazilian officials said they actually plan to deliver all six remaining venues after that date. They claim only three are delayed, with the other three being handed over after the expected date only because of problems accommodating the schedule of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who wants to be present for the ceremonies. Womens Redskins Jerseys . -- Top-ranked Stacy Lewis birdied the last three holes and five of the final six Thursday for an 8-under 64 and a share of the lead with Mi Jung Hur in the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic.CHICAGO - Cubs fans got on their feet and roared, a rousing ovation for the person they hope will lead their favourite team to prominence.Joe Maddon was the man of the moment Saturday, and the reception for Chicagos new manager was every bit as warm as it was loud.Maddon is quite popular around town these days, particularly on the North Side. After all, many believe the long-suffering franchise is poised for bigger things and hes just the guy to lead them there.Bring on the expectations, he said.The Cubs did just that this off-season, signing ace Jon Lester to a six-year deal worth $155 million at the winter meetings in December. But the move that signalled they really were ready to accelerate their rebuilding project happened in late October, when they hired Maddon away from Tampa Bay.Never mind that they had already told Rick Renteria he would be back for a second season. The Cubs couldnt resist going after one of the games top managers.Now, hes got a team that features a three-time All-Star in Lester at the top of the rotations established young players such as shortstop Starlin Castro and first baseman Anthony Rizzo in the lineup and a line of promising prospects that the Cubs hope can help them end a World Series championship drought that dates to 1908.All that optimism aside, the fact remains — Chicago has five straight fifth-place finishes in the NL Central. The Cubs won just 73 games last season, although that was an improvement from 66 in 2013. And while prospects such as Javier Baez and Jorge Soler arrived at the majors, there are still big questions surrounding this team.Please hold us accountable, President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein told fans. Were trying to win. Were also continuing to try to grow the organization. That means were going to be throwing a lot of young players out there. We ask for your patience with them because its a process. But hold us accountable.Its not just the roster that has a different look.The long-awaited renovation to Wrigley Field is finally underway, a five-year, $575 million overhaul of a ballpark that turned 100 last season and the surrounding area.President of Business Operations Crane Kenney said the organization discussed playing a year or two at Miller Park in Milwauukee but decided against that.ddddddddddddThe left- and right-field bleachers are being replaced this winter, but they wont be ready until May. The centre-field bleachers will also remain closed until then because of the construction.The team also said the left-field videoboard should be ready by April 5, but the smaller one in right wont be until May.Meanwhile, Chairman Tom Ricketts confirmed the Cubs bought several neighbouring buildings and plan to run them as rooftop businesses.He also said Sammy Sosa remains estranged from the organization and that some things have to change before he is welcomed back. Ricketts would not say exactly what those things are for the former slugger whose huge home run totals were tainted by drug suspicions.The Cubs arms are wide open for Maddon, a two-time AL Manager of the Year.He deftly guided several young Tampa Bay teams to contention in the AL East, leading the Rays to two division titles and a pennant in 2008, and his new bosses are looking for similar results.There are some differences.Instead of managing in a dreary stadium, he will be working at what he referred to as the finest cathedral in all of major league baseball — Wrigley Field. He will have to contend with more day games, which he acknowledged wont be easy for someone who is not a morning person.On Saturday, he faced a wide range of questions.One young fan wanted to know who will play third base — Luis Valbuena, Mike Olt or prized prospect Kris Bryant?Who do you want? Maddon said.Kris Bryant, the boy responded.Maddon praised Bryant as a wonderful young man who is a huge part of our future but said who plays third will be determined at spring training.Another fan asked if he would go for a shot and a beer. In fact, Maddon offered to buy a shot and a beer for everyone at his introductory press conference at a bar across from Wrigley.There was another question about his RV — the Cousin Eddie. Maddons interview with Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer happened outside the Winnebago at an RV park in Pensacola, Florida.Cousin Eddie is in Mesa, Arizona, near Maddons children and the Cubs spring training complex. He is not sure if he will have someone drive it to Chicago.Ill keep you posted on that, Maddon said. 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