Wizards vs Pacers NBA Picks
The Wizards have been cooling their heels waiting to see who they are going to play. The fact that it is Indiana is hardly a surprise and even though they lost the season series to the Pacers, 2-1, I am sure they are going into this game with a high level of confidence.[ad-4468020]
Washington Wizards (0-0) vs. Indiana Pacers (0-0)
Monday May 5
Bankers Life Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
7:00PM
Moneyline: Indiana -170, Washington +150
Spread: Indiana -4
Total: 183.5
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Washington
This Washington team is better than you think. They have most things you need to win the only thing is they have never done it before the last series.
To keep things going they are going to need to continue to get good to excellent play from PG John Wall.
It is easy to see the makings of a great player with Wall but he is still a little cavalier with the ball at times. To win in the playoffs you have to value every possession, which he is learning.
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Don’t be surprised if by the end of next season some are saying this is the best young backcourt in the NBA. Sorry Steph and Klay but these guys are still playing.
I am all over Washington at +4 for the series opener – the only thing I am worried about is rust.
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This team is great on the road and they are catching the Pacers in the perfect situation. If they can get off to a good start they could easily put this one away by halftime.
I am likely to put a little on the moneyline too.
Indiana
Indiana survived their first round series, avoiding going down among the greatest playoff flops of all time.
They showed some resilience but little dominance for a team that was easily considered the best in the league over the first couple of months. When they were on early they absolutely dominated Washington winning by 20 or more twice.
There are few if any reasons to think that team is coming back anytime soon.
The Pacers can win this series if they can just get some consistency from their key players. Last series Roy Hibbert was a non-factor for 6 games before coming alive in G7.
Paul George looked like an All-Star one night and was completely lost on others. The talent is there and the defense should be good.
I am just not sure they will be able to respond if Washington pushed them hard…and I expect they will.
By comparison the Bulls were -4.5 for their first hosting job against the Wizards. I know that doesn’t mean much but it is interesting that oddmakers had the Bulls as larger favourites (they also had the Bulls to win that series).
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I have no confidence in this Indiana team so in most of these games I will be fading them or taking a break.
Spread prediction: Washington +4
Total prediction: Over
Score prediction: Washington 99 – Indiana 98
