The Indiana Pacers have silenced their doubters with three straight wins over the upstart Washington Wizards. Can the Pacers continue their home court domination and close out the Wizards in Game 5?
As we predicted might be in the case in our series preview, a strong series from Roy Hibbert could be all it takes to end this series. The big man has come through so far in round two after checking out for the better part of two months, and you can come through too by creating a betting account and reading on for everything you need to bet on this huge Game 4.
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Washington Wizards vs. Indiana Pacers Round 2, Game 5 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, 7:00 PM ET – Washington (+5) at Indiana (-5); total: 181.0 – view all NBA lines
Game 6 (if necessary) – May 15, TBA – Indiana at Washington
Game 7 (if necessary) – May 18, TBA – Washington at Indiana
Betting on the Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards have shown their age and inexperience in the last two games en route to dropping both games at home.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Wizards looked like an overmatched team of youngsters after scoring just 63 points against an engaged Pacer defense in Game 3. In Game 4, they showed their inexperience by squandering a 17-point halftime lead and failing to close out in the fourth quarter.
A good portion of the blame must fall on the supposed leader of the team, John Wall, who has been missing in action for this entire series. After averaging almost 19 PPG in the Bulls series, Wall is scoring just 11.5 PPG while shooting a miserable 31% FG percentage against the Pacers.
The disappearance of Nene (8-for-28 FGs in his last two games) also hurts, but first and foremost the Wizards need both ends of their star backcourt firing on all cylinders to stave off elimination. Wall’s much younger running mate, Bradley Beal (19.5 PPG vs. the Pacers), has flourished in these playoffs, but can’t pull the Wizards up alone.
All that said, bet against Washington at your own peril. These “young and inexperienced” Wizards are a perfect 5-0 ATS on the road in these playoffs.
Betting on the Indiana Pacers
Despite winning three straight games to take control of the series, the Indiana Pacers still have their flaws, especially on the offensive end. They could only muster 11 points in the second quarter of Game 4, a game which their entire bench scored a pitiful two points.
But when your two All-Stars are playing like ones, as Paul George and Roy Hibbert have in the last three games, those issues tend to be forgotten. George had a superstar line (39 points, 7-for-10 3PFGs) to save the day in Game 4, while Hibbert (15 PPG, 2 BPG in the series) continues his revival after that hellish Hawks series.
It also never hurts having an elite-level defense. After struggling to contain the Hawks and their three-point shooting, the Pacers’ defense is having a markedly easier time shutting down the Wizards, who are averaging just 79 points and 27% from three in their last three games.
All of those things will be going Indy’s way heading into their close-out game at home. And in case you’ve forgotten: the Pacers are a whopping 15-1 SU in last 16 home games against the Wizards.
Writer’s Prediction
Between George’s superstar-calibre play, the Pacers’ suffocating defense and homecourt advantage, Indiana looks like the bet to make. Take the Pacers to win and cover -5 at home in Game 5.
