Pacers vs. Wizards NBA Picks
The Pacers have a lead in the series for the first time in these playoffs. They really put a whooping on the Wizards as the series moved to D.C., reminiscent of a regular season beatdown they laid on Washington well before things went south. [ad-4468020]
Indiana Pacers (2-1) vs. Washington Wizards (1-2)
Sunday May 11
Verizon Center – Washington, DC
8:00PM
Moneyline: Washington -190, Indiana +175
Spread: Washington -4.5
Total: 180.5
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Indiana
Indiana has had a hard time sustaining winning basketball in these playoffs so it is tough to tell whether they have turned a corner or not.
Indiana played a smart game on Friday, committing only 9 turnovers while playing excellent defense.
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The individual offensive performances were not great but Roy Hibbert showed up again scoring 15 points while helping to limit the Wizards center to just 2 points.
If Indiana is ultimately going to win this series they need key offensive performers Paul George and Lance Stephenson to be better. They really haven’t shot the ball well in the playoffs.
A half point has been shaved off this number from G3 to G4. The Pacers are always a good threat as an underdog and I am surprised the number didn’t come down more given the outcome of the last game. After a couple of solid games in a row I admit my confidence in the Pacers is growing.
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Washington
The Wizards lost their grip on the series by losing game three at home. Worse than the loss was the fashion in which they lost, getting embarrassed on their home floor.
They did not score more than 18 points in any one quarter so the focus has to be getting the offense back to a level where you can actually win ball games.
The blame for the G3 stinker can be pretty broadly applied, everyone needs to step it up.
When PG John Wall does not play well the team struggles – no surprise there. in G3 he shot poorly but worse he gave the ball away too much with 7 turnovers.
He was the team’s leading scorer during the regular season but in the playoffs he seems to be struggling with how to balance being a scorer and distributor. His scoring and assists are down.
It might not be fair given that others have stunk too but I think it is mostly on him to get the team turned around.
Overall I still like Washington to take the series but it is all going to hinge on this game. They have to win and I think they will play a lot better than they did in G3.
I don’t think they can blow them out though so backing the underdogs might be the right strategy. Mostly I am hoping for a win so I can back the Wiz on the road as an underdog in the future.
If they are facing elimination I don’t know if I would.
Spread prediction: Indiana +4.5
Total prediction: Over
Score prediction: Washington 95 – Indiana 93
