The two worst teams in the East will face off tonight in the first slate after All-Star weekend. The Wizards are 14-39, and the Pacers are 15-40.
The Pacers are 2.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook with the total for this game set at 232.5 points.
Wizards vs. Pacers prediction, preview
The Wizards stunned the NBA world in February by making some huge moves before the trade deadline, securing Trae Young and Anthony Davis as a star duo for next season. On paper, it’s not too bad. Trae Young is a gifted playmaker who can space the floor while Anthony Davis is a stretch five with elite switchable defense and rim protection, which helps duct tape some of Young’s deficiencies. They’ll roll out a potential lineup of Young, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly, and Davis. It’s an intriguing mix of vets who help cover for each other’s weaknesses combined with promising young players like George, who’s enjoying an MIP-worthy season with 15.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 4.8 APG on 44.1% shooting from the field and 37.7% from beyond the arc. George has gotten much more efficient since his rookie year.
As for the Wizards this season, there’s not much to talk about. They rank 29th in DEFRTG, conceding 120.4 points per 48 minutes. They also rank 29th in OFFRTG, producing just 109.4 points per 48. Washington is inept on both ends and is statistically one of the worst teams in the league.
The Pacers are similarly handicapped this season without their star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Just one season removed from a Finals appearance, they predictably are not doing much this season. They’re dead last in OFFRTG and are the 21st ranked defense. They’ve gotten some nice production from Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam, but not with many wins. We have to wonder what they plan to do with newly acquired center Ivica Zubac, whose overlap with Pascal Siakam (neither of them can reliably space the floor) will be interesting to watch next season. Zubac is a traditional rim-rolling big man with soft touch near the rim, while Siakam is a more well-rounded scorer capable of creating for himself.
Wizards vs. Pacers pick, best bet
Best Bet: IND Pacers -2.5 (-102)
The Pacers’ defense, while poor, is still not bottom of the barrel. While both offenses tonight are lethargic, the Pacers will get back Siakam and Nembhard. Even though the presence of these two hasn’t been enough to seriously move the needle in terms of improving Indiana’s offense, it’ll be enough to help the Pacers cover this 2.5 line. Washington’s simply not offering enough on either side of the ball to convincingly get within 2.5, even against a 15-40 team.
