Washington Wizards vs. Indiana Pacers Predictions, Picks and NBA Preview – February 16, 2017

Washington Wizards vs. Indiana Pacers Betting Preview

Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN

When: Thursday, February 16, 2017 – 7:00 PM ET

Line: Washington Wizards (-2.5) at Indiana Pacers (+2.5); total: 217.0 – view all NBA lines

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Betting on Washington Wizards (33-21)

Point Spread: -2.5

The Wizards are indeed having a better season than expected, but are you one of the few that realize that they are actually 31-13 after only starting 2-8? Given the recent struggles of the Cavaliers and all the other top teams in the East, the Wiz are arguably the most consistent team in the conference.

They will be coming off a 22-point (120-98) blowout victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, where they held Russell Westbrook and company to just 35.4-percent shooting. John Wall (15 points, 10 assists) and Otto Porter (18 assists, 12 rebounds) each posted a double-double, while Bradley Beal and Markieff Morris both scored 20-plus points and combined for nine triples.

Washington is 2-1 against Indy this season (SU and ATS), and Wall, as expected, is the most productive in the team, averaging 27 points and 11 assists in the season series. The 36-point performance against the Pacers in late December was his second-highest against any team this season.

In their meeting just under a week ago, the Wizards came out on top, 112-107. Wall and Morris had 20-plus points, and joined Marcin Gortat (14 points, 16 rebounds) in recording a double-double. Gortat is operating comfortably in the paint whenever he’s matched up with Indy’s bigs this year – 16 PPG and 15 RPG on 60-percent shooting.

Betting on the Indiana Pacers (29-27)

Point Spread: +2.5

Welp, the Pacers have now dropped five straight games after that 113-104 loss Thursday night, making their seven-game winning streak prior mean less as every game passes by. Indy got blasted by the Cavaliers with 18 threes, and they allowed LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kyle Korver to combine for 79 points.

Against the visiting Wizards, the same outcome could happen. In that aforementioned recent matchup with their East rivals, they lost despite a list of things going right for them, including shooting the ball well (49 percent), six guys scoring in double figures (Paul George had 31), and passing the ball well (29 assists – their highest against any team with a winning record this season).

One of the main reasons for the ugly stretch is bad defense, as they are giving up 116.8 points and 13.6 threes per game on 48.2-percent shooting in the current losing streak. Additionally, their last five opponents are only committing five turnovers per contest.

Writer’s Prediction

The Wizards (-2.5) win, 110-104.

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