The league’s top scoring defense will be at home in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, when the Indiana Pacers (16-10) meet the Washington Wizards (11-15). The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, December 10, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana.
Washington Wizards at Indiana Pacers Betting Odds
The last time the Pacers were in action, they covered the 5-point spread against the Sacramento Kings, 107-97. The Wizards, meanwhile, were topped by the Cleveland Cavaliers, 116-101, and were unable to cover as 7.5-point underdogs. The Indiana game finished 18.5 points under the projected point total of 222.5, while the Washington game went 0.5 points over the projected point total of 216.5.
Indiana played a nearly flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.207 (above their season average of 0.175) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 32.6 (above their season average of 20.5). Sacramento recorded marks of 0.133 and 24.5, respectively, for those same stats. Washington, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.128 vs. 0.079). Thaddeus Young led the way for Indiana, recording 20 points and nine rebounds. Bradley Beal fueled Washington with 27 points and five assists.
The Wizards took this series last year, taking two out of three games. In the most recent contest, Washington won 109-102. One of Washington’s largest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 19-23 (82.6 percent), while the Pacers were 12-15 (80.0 percent). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Wizards games have a tendency to finish over the total (61.5 percent). Washington comes into the game with records of 11-15 straight up (SU) and 10-15-1 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Washington, Pacers games have typically finished under the projected point total (61.5 percent). Additionally, Indiana is 16-10 SU and 12-13-1 ATS.
Bojan Bogdanovic has taken his game to another level recently for Indiana, averaging 19 points over the last five games.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, Indiana should have a significant edge. The sharp-shooting Pacers offense ranks eighth in the league in that metric at 0.529, while the Washington defense is ranked 24th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.536). Also, the Wizards rank fifth in turnover percentage (12.9 percent), while the Pacers rank third in opponents’ turnover percentage (15.7 percent).
Washington Wizards at Indiana Pacers ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Wizards, ATS Winner – Wizards, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Pacers rank 3 in steals per game (9.26923076923077) while the Wizards rank 14 in steals allowed per game (7.615384615384615).
- Indiana ranks third in second chance points allowed per game (10.9) while Washington ranks 27th (15.3).
- The Wizards rank 11th in three pointers attempted per game (32.9) while the Pacers rank 28th (25.1).
- Indiana ranks third in points off turnovers (19.9 per game) while Washington ranks 19th in points off turnovers allowed (17.8 per game).
- Indiana ranks 11 in assists per game (24.5) while Washington ranks 24 in assists allowed per game (25.346153846153847).
- The Pacers rank fifth in rebounds allowed per game (42.5) while the Wizards rank 28th (48.5).
- The Pacers rank 9 in fast break points per game (14.884615384615385) while the Wizards rank 24 in fast break points allowed per game (15).
- Indiana ranks 2 in points allowed in the paint per game (41.61538461538461) while Washington ranks 13 (48).
- Washington ranks fifth in blocks per game (6.0) while Indiana ranks 23rd in blocks allowed per game (5.8).
- Indiana is 9-1 when they allow less than 100 points, while Washington is 3-0.
- The Pacers are 13-5 when they reach the century mark, while the Wizards are 11-13.
- Indiana is 6-6 ATS at home, while Washington is 4-10 ATS on the road.
- Of the Wizards’ 14 road games, they have 8 overs and 6 unders.
- Of the Pacers’ 12 home games, they have 9 unders and 3 overs.
Bettings Trends:
- The Wizards are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Pacers are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Washington has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Indiana has 5 unders.
- The Wizards\u2019 average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.8, down from 4.7 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 104.2 points per game (1.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 98.4 points per game (3.1 below their season average).
