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Round 2: Wizards vs. Pacers NBA Playoff Series Gambling Prediction & Lines

NBA Picks Washington vs Indiana

In a strange twist it was Washington that made quick work of their opponent in their round 1 series. Meanwhile even though Indiana ultimately put away Atlanta, they certainly did not look like a top team in the process. [ad-4468020]

Odds to win NBA Championship:

  • Indiana:  +1500
  • Washington:  +2500

Odds to win Eastern Conference

  • Indiana:  +600
  • Washington: +1200

Series Odds

  • Indiana Series Price:  -170
  • Washington Series Price:  +150

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The Pacers are the top seed in the Eastern Conference but their series victory against Atlanta was hardly inspiring. In a number of games they were terrible and the inside presence of Roy Hibbert has completely disappeared for some reason. The oddmakers have installed them as favourites but that is debatable at this point.

When I compare them player for player I am not sure there are too many matchups they are going to win on a regular basis. The real question is which Indiana team we are really going to see.

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I hate to toot but I was all over the first round when it came to Washington. This is a good team with a nice mix of youth and experience and most important of all they know how to win on the road. The funny thing about their relatively easy series against Chicago was that I don’t even think they played that great.

They have had a little extra time to rest up for Indiana so hopefully no rust has formed for this team that should be very confident. I like them again in this matchup against schizophrenic Indiana.
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Season Series:  Indiana 2, Washington 1

All three games were won by the home team in this series and none of them were close. The Pacers embarrassed the Wizard in their two victories, winning by 20 or more points in each back when they were embarrassing everyone. When they met in Washington in March the Wizards won by 13 points.

Key Player for Indiana

C Roy Hibbert  – After back to back games in which he did not score a point the big man had his best game of the series in G7 with 13 points, 7 board and 5 blocks. Hibbert is such a key to their defense that they need him in the flow to make it all come together. Even more so than the Hawks the Wizards have bigs who are threats to score.

Indiana barely survived his poor performance in R1. If it happens again this round they won’t

Key Player for Washington

SF Trevor Ariza –  The veteran 3 is going to have to a lot of different things well for the Wizards to advance. He is going to have to guard Paul George, he is going to have to make outside jump shots and he is going to have to make sure that youngster John Wall and Bradley Beal do not try and do too much.

If they win he will definitely be a key even though it might not be obvious from the stat sheet.

Betting Prediction:  

For the second series in a row I think the Wizards can surprise and advance. I like the fact that that Indiana was pushed round. The Pacers are not old but they are not young either and they might be spent. Plus Washington is just so good on the road that I am willing to back them once again.

Wizards in 6 games.

Since I see Washington as the overall series winners I definitely see value in the series price. However, it is probably the sharper play to back the Wizards ATS throughout the series, (a strategy I recommended in the first round).  Definitely get behind Washington in the first couple of games on the road.

They were one of the best road spread teams in the league this season with a 26-15 record and they followed that up with a 3-0 mark on the road against the Bulls.

Backing Washington is fun too because they are actually enjoyable to watch.

By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.