The NBA’s top scoring defense will be at home in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, when the Indiana Pacers (21-12) square off with the Washington Wizards (13-20). Action begins at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 23, 2018, and can be seen on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana.
Washington Wizards at Indiana Pacers ATS Odds
The Pacers come in on a high note after covering the 3-point spread against the Brooklyn Nets in their last game, 114-106. The Wizards, meanwhile, beat the Phoenix Suns, 149-146, but were unable to cover as 11-point favorites. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Indiana game finished 10.5 points over the projected point total of 209.5, while the Washington game went 70 points over the projected point total of 225.
The Wizards had a superb effective field goal percentage of 0.563 (above their season average of 0.526) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 35.4 (above their season average of 19.6). Meanwhile, Indiana’s 10.9 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Brooklyn, who had a mark of 18.7. The Pacers’ mark was better than their season average of 13.3, while the Nets’ was above their season average of 12.3. Victor Oladipo played well for Indiana with 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Bradley Beal played a massive role in the victory for Washington, accumulating 40 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds on his way to his zeroth triple-double this season.
In their first matchup this year, Myles Turner led the Pacers to a 109-101 victory. He recorded a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds. The two teams combined to put up 210 points, which was under the projected point total of 216, and Indiana covered as a 6-point favorite. The Pacers’ 20.0 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over the Wizards, who had a rate of 12.2.
Oddsmakers tend to set the total low when the Wizards are playing, as 62.5 percent of their games have ended over the total. Washington holds records of 13-20 straight up (SU) and 11-20-1 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Washington, Pacers games tend to go under the total (66.7 percent). Moreover, Indiana is 21-12 SU and 17-15-1 ATS.
The Wizards’ Beal has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 27 points,6.6 rebounds,5.2 assists per game. Meanwhile, Thaddeus Young has averaged 17 points,8.2 rebounds,3.4 assists,1.8 steals during that same time frame for the Pacers.
This could end up being a sloppy game for the Indiana offense. Indiana ranks 24th in the league in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.4 percent), while the gambling defense of Washington forces the fifth-most turnovers in the NBA (15.2 percent). This contest should be a battle of conflicting paces. The fast-paced Wizards rank third in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Pacers rank 25th.
Wizards vs. Pacers Betting Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Wizards, ATS Winner – Wizards, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Pacers rank 4 in steals per game (8.909090909090908) while the Wizards rank 17 in steals allowed per game (7.636363636363637).
- Indiana ranks fourth in second chance points allowed per game (11.6) while Washington ranks 29th (15.3).
- The Pacers rank eighth in assists allowed per game (22.8) while the Wizards rank 26th (25.7).
- Washington ranks 11th in three pointers attempted per game (32.8) while Indiana ranks 28th (25.0).
- Indiana ranks 11 in fast break points per game (14.151515151515152) while Washington ranks 26 in fast break points allowed per game (15.242424242424242).
- The Pacers rank third in rebounds allowed per game (42.7) while the Wizards rank 28th (48.2).
- The Pacers rank 3 in points allowed in the paint per game (42.303030303030305) while the Wizards rank 18 (49.21212121212121).
- Washington averages 5.424242424242424 blocks per game, which ranks 11 in the league. Indiana ranks 19 in blocks allowed per game (5.575757575757576).
- Indiana averages 18.9 points off turnovers per game, which ranks fifth in the league. Washington ranks 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.9).
- When holding opponents under 100 points, Indiana is 11-3 and Washington is 3-0.
- The Pacers are 18-5 when they score more than 100 points, while the Wizards are 13-18.
- Washington is 4-14 ATS on the road, while Indiana is 8-8 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 13 of the Pacers’ 16 home games, while 10 of the Wizards’ 18 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Pacers are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Wizards are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Indiana has 4 unders and 1 over, while Washington has 4 overs and 1 under.
- During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 104.8 points per game (1.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 99.4 points per game (1.6 below their season average).
- The Wizards’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.4, down from 4.5 for the season.
