The Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards were both dealt brutal blows this season, losing their best player to injury, but still have plenty to play for down the stretch. The Pacers are aiming to show they can still make a deep playoff run without Victor Oladipo, while the Wizards are sticking around in the playoff race despite the services of John Wall.
The Wizards will host the Pacers this week in a game that Washington really needs to pick up. The Wizards have played well at home but Indiana is the better team so the spread could be close. Washington is trying to catch the Charlotte Hornets or Miami Heat and sneak into the postseason, while Indiana aims to remain among the upper echelon of teams.
This is a critical Eastern Conference clash in NBA wagering.
This NBA basketball game between the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards will be held at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 30th, 2019. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
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Odds Analysis
The Pacers are 32-16 on the season. They are among the top teams in the Eastern Conference but there is some concern whether or not they can stay there without Oladipo down the stretch. A game like this is important because Indiana has to play on the road but does have the superior personnel. The Pacers are 14-10 away from home on the year.
The Wizards have a record of 21-28 on the season following a loss to the Spurs last time out. While the overall record isn’t great, Washington has won 15 of its 24 home games and wants to keep that going in this one in NBA betting.
Key Stat
1. That’s the number of games the Pacers have played since Oladipo’s season-ending quad injury, which was suffered just last week against the Raptors. Washington, meanwhile, lost Wall to a heel injury early in the season and thus has had time to adjust.
Oladipo missed a stretch of games earlier in the year and Indiana played pretty good but it lost to the struggling Grizzlies last time out. Bogdan Bogdanovic led the team in scoring in the 106-103 loss. Finding scorers will be the big key the rest of the way. The Pacers play impressive defense and have good depth, but need to identify their go-to player when they need a bucket.
This will be an interesting barometer as they aim to bounce back and stay in the mix in the East.
Player To Watch
Bradley Beal -- Even without Oladipo, the Pacers have a better roster from top to bottom. However, Washington boasts the best player in Beal. He needs to have an impressive outing to help his team pick up the victory.
Beal is averaging 24.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. He is shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from three-point range. Beal has taken on a bigger role since Wall’s injury and will be looked upon to lead the way.
The Pacers know the Washington offense goes through Beal and they will aim to slow him down.
Free NBA ATS Picks
Washington has been competitive at home and the personnel difference is not as big without Oladipo around. However, if the oddsmakers decide to underestimate Indiana in this one, don’t hesitate in backing the Pacers.
Even on the road they have the balance and talent to pick up a key win. Check to see where the spread comes in for this one, with an eye on choosing Indiana. There may not be a bunch of scoring so the “under” could be in play in NBA gambling.
NBA ATS Pick: Indiana Pacers 107, Washington Wizards 102
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