Free NBA Pick: Pacers vs. Wizards NBA Odds
Looking for Indiana Pacers vs. Washington Wizards free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Pacers taking on the Wizards on Thursday, May 20th, 2021 at Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Pacers Wizards matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(22-48) Indiana Pacers vs. Washington Wizards (32-38)
Date: Thursday, May 20th, 2021
Time: 7:00 EST
Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
NBA Moneyline Odds: Pacers +145 | Wizards -152
NBA Betting Odds: Wizards -3
NBA Betting Total: 238.5
The final game of the Eastern play-in tournament occurring on Thursday, May 20th features the ninth-seeded Indiana Pacers taking on the eighth-seeded Washington Wizards for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.
The winner will be cemented as the official eighth seed and face the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. The loser is eliminated and begins their offseason vacation.
Indiana Pacers
That the Pacers won 144-117 doesn’t even do justice to how thoroughly Indiana outplayed Charlotte. They led by as much as 39 points and were up 40-24 after the first quarter.
After such a complete drubbing you have to think ownership might be backtracking on their recent whispers about head coach Nate Bjorkgren who clearly had his team prepared to play with eight players scoring in double-figures.
The big news coming into the match was the absence of Caris LeVert who’ll be out 10 to 14 days due to protocols. It didn’t matter with newly signed Oshae Brissett more than adequately filling in with 23 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
Doug McDermott scored 14 points in the first five minutes and finished with 21 points while Malcolm Brogdon added 16 points and eight assists.
Charlotte played Domontas Sabonis tough limiting him to 14 points but he also collected 21 rebounds and nine assists. Big man Goga Bitadze also stepped up with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Washington Wizards
Although Russell Westbrook feasted on the majority of his opponents this season the Boston Celtics remained a club he did not post a triple-double against and that didn’t change in the play-in game.
And while some could say that had more to do with his teammates missing shots there was clearly (aside from a ferocious putback dunk) something amiss. He shot 6 of 18 for 20 points adding 14 rebounds and five assists.
Bradley Beal played through his hamstring injury to score 22 points on 10 of 25 shooting but also was noticeably limping at times, didn’t have his legs in shots, didn’t seem able (or as willing) to make quick cuts.
The x-factor was Ish Smith who brought Westbrook-type intensity to the court and offered up 17 points (6 of 8) along with eight rebounds. Daniel Gafford (12) was the only other double-figure scorer.
But, defensively the Wizards were no match for the Celtics as they couldn’t stop Jayson Tatum or Kemba Walker who combined for 79 points.
Rui Hachimura looked like he was playing in his first real playoff atmosphere and Davis Bertans was abysmal missing all seven of his 3-point attempts.
The good news is Westbrook will shake off whatever was ailing him and be buoyed by his in-season performances versus Indiana with averages of 27.3 points, 20 assists, and 18 rebounds.
The other expectation is te the Wizards will shoot better than 3 of 21 from deep versus the Pacers.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The teams are 5-5 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The Pacers are 6-4 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 5-4-1 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Indiana Pacers vs. Washington Wizards NBA Prediction:
The Wizards will need to pay attention to the perimeter as the Pacers shot 45.7% from deep (16-35) and with Brissett (3 of 6) and McDermott (4 of 6) starting it really opens the court up. Plus Washington needs to protect the paint where Indy feasted outscoring Charlotte 74-56.
However, the Pacers will need to be focused on transition defense and stopping the fast break as the Hornets scored 32 points. Washington struggled to get rolling versus the Celtics and the slower pace didn’t allow Westbrook and Beal to get into any rhythm offensively or score in the fast break (14 points).
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Indy +3
As simple as it sounds if the Brogdon can slow Westbrook and hence the Wizards’ pace it benefits Indy, but if this becomes a track meet the Wizards will be the benefactors. Based on Beal not being 100 percent I’m betting on the former being more feasible.
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