Marcin Gortat and the Wizards brought the heat to the Pacers in Game 5 to stay alive in the series. With another elimination game to come at home in Game 6, can the Polish Hammer continue to pound the Pacers into submission?
After a sloppy first four games, John Wall finally broke out in Game 5, which was more like what we expected from him in our series preview. If you think Wall can lead the Wizards’ comeback charge, then go set up a betting account and grab the favorable odds now listed on Washington.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Washington Wizards vs. Indiana Pacers Round 2, Game 6 Betting Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 – May 5 – Washington 102 at Indiana 96
Game 2 – May 7 – Washington 82 at Indiana 86
Game 3 – May 9 – Indiana 85 at Washington63
Game 4 – May 11 – Indiana 95 at Washington 92
Game 5 – May 13, Washington 102 at Indiana 79
Game 6 – May 15, 8:00 PM ET – Indiana (+4.5) at Washington (-4.5); total 180.5 – view all NBA lines
Game 7 (if necessary) – May 18, TBA – Washington at Indiana
Betting on the Indiana Pacers
A no. 1 seed really shouldn’t get blown out by 23 and outrebounded by 39 on their home floor in a potential close-out game, but it’s just been that kind of postseason for the Indiana Pacers.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Pacers defense that limited the Wizards to just 85 PPG in the last three games collapsed with Roy Hibbert (four points, two rebounds) having a down game. Hibbert’s inability to contain Marcin Gortat cost the Pacers dearly in Game 5.
When the defense isn’t getting stops, it’s basically all over for the Pacers, whose putrid offense has scored over 100 points just once in 12 postseason games. Paul George (15 points on 15 shots in Game 4) and others are likely to improve in Game 5, but another game with the Wizards in the 100s would spell disaster for the Pacers.
Despite having homecourt advantage, the Pacers have been much better on the road in these playoffs. After losing Game 3 of round 1 in Atlanta, Indiana is 4-0 SU/ATS in its last four road games. The total has also gone under in four of those five road games.
Betting on the Washington Wizards
We mentioned it in our series preview, but it bears repeating: the Washington Wizards’ starting line up is really, really good. In terms of sheer talent, they’re better in four out of five positions over Indiana. In Game 5, they were so good that they built a 25-point lead over the no. 1 seed Pacers without needing a single bench point.
Marcin Gortat (31 points on 13-for-15 FGs) straight up dominated the Pacers inside in Game 5 after being a non-factor in the previous two games. Gortat’s 16 rebounds also led the way for the Wizards, who had almost as many offensive rebounds (18) as the Pacers had total rebounds (23).
Meanwhile, John Wall (27 points on 11-for-20 FGs) had his best game of the series by far. Wall still has to take better care of the ball (he has 17 turnovers in the last three games), but if the Wizards get this type of production from their All-Star guard, they’ll be tough to stop for even an improved Pacers D.
Wall and the Wizards would want nothing more than to make Game 6 an open, offensive game, especially with the Pacers’ struggles scoring. The total has gone over in three of the Wizards’ four home playoff games.
Writer’s Prediction
Gortat surely won’t be quite as good, while the Pacers’ defense won’t be as bad. Expect a more competitive and lower scoring contest in Game 6. Take the game to go under 180.5.
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