Indiana Pacers vs Washington Wizards: Predictions, Odds and Head-to-Head

Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC

When: Wednesday, January 30th, 8:00 PM EST

How (TV/Radio): ESPN, Fox Sports Indiana, Fox Sports Washington | 1070 The Fan/107.5 FM, 1500 AM

Indiana Pacers (Away)

Head Coach: Nate McMillan {All-Time 600-542 | SEA, POR, IND}

After what was a heartbreaking turn of events for the Indiana Pacers and Victor Oladipo, the team looks to build off of their current standing of third in the Eastern Conference without him. With a record of 32-16, the Pacers will look to stave off the Sixers who are looking to pounce on the injured Pacers.

The Pacers have performed well in their recent games. Over their last ten matches, the Pacers were able to maintain a record of 6-4. Of those matches the Pacers were able to maintain a +5.6 point differential.

When the Pacers take on the Washington Wizards it will be the beginning of a crucial four-game road trip. Not only will they be coming off of a single home match against the reigning NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, but three of their four opponents will be Eastern Conference rivals looking to climb up the rankings.

Washington Wizards (Home)

Head Coach: Scott Brooks {All-Time 451-306 | OKC, WAS}

The Washington Wizards continue on their positive run after starting the new year without their star John Wall. With a record of 21-28, they are a mere half game behind the Detroit Pistons for ninth place as they continue their goal of getting back into the playoff race.

Over the last ten matches the Washington Wizards have been performing well (6-4), in no small part due to a favourable home stand. The Wizards take on the Pacers at home after a three-game road trip. However with a point differential of -3.0 it has been all or nothing for the Wizards in their short run of success.

The Wizards will be taking on a heavy-hearted Indiana Pacers squad. While the Pacers are short-handed, they play an egalitarian brand of basketball that ensures production regardless of the lineup on the court. The Wizards will need to equal that production from both the first five and the reserves if they want to overcome the East’s third-place team.

What’s At Stake?

The Indiana Pacers and the Washington Wizards are two of the more veteran franchises in the NBA. The Indiana Pacers lead the Washington Wizards (Bullets) in the all-time series 98-78.

A win for the Indiana Pacers would put them a half game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers who are aiming to take third in the East for themselves.

A win for the Wizards would put them one game behind the Hornets, within striking distance of the playoff race.

Questions to answer

Who will step up in place of Victor Oladipo?

How has Jeff Green become the X-Factor for the Wizards?

We are going to compare the Indiana Pacers and the Washington Wizards in an attempt to see who has the advantage in this matchup.

The Pacers Need A Leader On The Court

It was a devastating week for the Indiana Pacers. Riding high on a small win streak, they hosted Toronto looking to take one from the Eastern Conference leaders. While they were able to take home a gritty, inspired win, it was at the expense of their star shooting guard Victor Oladipo.

It will be a process to see who will lead the Pacers moving forward. While all signs point toward Darren Collison or Bojan Bogdanovic, against the Raptors it was veteran journeyman Thaddeus Young who was able to step up and lead the charge against the Raptors.

Young has always been a strong voice of leadership for the Pacers. In their win over the Toronto Raptors Young posted a final line of 23 points and 15 rebounds, just a single board short of his career high. If the Pacers want to maintain their standing it will take a team effort, but someone will have to step up to be the new star.

Jeff Green Is Steady As Ever

Jeff Green has always been a player that teams and coaches alike would love to have for their own while rue having to play against. He is a strong, yet mobile small/power forward with the veteran wisdom to be effective in almost any situation he is asked to compete in.

As of late Green has buoyed the Wizards offence. Despite being a career 33% three-point shooter, he is posting an average of 35% from three this season. While that jump in production may not seem significant, it is important to note that his improvement hadn’t occurred until the recent mid-way point of the season.

Since November, Green has been shooting over 40% from deep. It is in large part due to the increased open looks he has been receiving, as he now plays as a secondary screener or the primary pick-and-pop man on plays for the Wizards. His versatility is incredibly valuable and against the short-handed Pacers a weapon like Green would help them overcome the Pacers’ stingy defence.

Indiana Pacers Roster Notes

G Victor Oladipo – 24 Jan 2019 – Out For Season (Right Leg) – The Pacers announced G Victor Oladipo will undergo surgery on his right knee and he will miss the remainder of the season.

Washington Wizards Roster Notes

C Dwight Howard – 20 Dec 2018 – Out (Back) – Howard is making progress and said he’s pain-free from his lumbar surgery, according to Candace Buckner of The Washington Post. He’s not expected to return until February or March.

F Markieff Morris – 3 Jan 2019 – Out (Neck stiffness) – The Wizards announced that Morris will miss at least the next six weeks of action as he recovers from a neck injury.

G John Wall – 30 Dec 2018 – Out For Season (Sore Left Heel) – Wall will undergo season-ending heel surgery and will resume basketball activities in six-to-eight months.

Head-to-Head: Darren Collison vs Bradley Beal

Darren Collison

Point Guard | 6-0, 175lb (183cm, 79kg) | UCLA | Exp. 10 Years

9.9 PPG | 5.8 APG | 2.9 RPG | 1.5 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 1.5 TOV | .457 FG% | .402 3P%

Bradley Beal

Shooting Guard | 6-5, 207lb (196cm, 93kg) | Florida | Exp. 7 Years

24.7 PPG | 5.0 APG | 5.1 RPG | 1.4 SPG | 0.8 BPG | 2.8 TOV | .467 FG% | .354 3P%

Darren Collison and Bradley Beal lead their respective teams, the Indiana Pacers and the Washington Wizards, against each other. Missing their All-Star leaders, Wall and Oladipo, both teams look to their second stars to take the reins.

Darren Collison hasn’t been the same player he was last year. Averaging a career low in scoring, Collison has made it a point to be more of a distributor for the Pacers offence as he is averaging a career high in assists. Collison tends to take good shots, but with Oladipo out he will have to be more selfish on offence as they will very likely run a backcourt of Joseph and Collison to make up for Oladipo’s scoring.

If Collison needs to step up in the place of Oladipo, Bradley Beal is the example that he should be taking note of. Since Wall went down, Beal has been incredibly effective. Beal has motivated the Wizards to move the ball efficiently and has shown that he is one of the most dangerous scoring options in the NBA. Whether or not Beal can keep up his current form remains to be seen, but against a Pacers squad missing their leader, Beal has one less defender to challenge him.

Indiana Pacers at Washington Wizards Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the Indiana Pacers favoured over the Washington Wizards by 3, with an over/under of 110.