Indiana Pacers at Washington Wizards - 5/20/21 NBA Picks and Prediction
Photo by Doug McSchooler-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Wizards (34-39) vs Indiana Pacers (35-38)
Game Info: Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 8:00 pm (Capital One Arena)
Betting Odds: Washington Wizards -3.5 -- Over/Under: 241.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers square off Thursday in the NBA East Playoff play-in game at the Capital One Arena.
The Washington Wizards need a win here to rebound after losing to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. The Washington Wizards are averaging 116.6 points on 47.5 percent shooting and allowing 118.5 points on 47.1 percent shooting. Bradley Beal is averaging 31.3 points and 4.7 rebounds while Russell Westbrook is averaging 22.2 points and 11.7 assists. Rui Hachimura is the third double-digit scorer and Davis Bertans is grabbing 2.9 rebounds. The Washington Wizards are shooting 35.1 percent from beyond the arc and 76.9 percent from the free throw line. The Washington Wizards are allowing 36.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.2 rebounds per game.
The Indiana Pacers look for another win after beating the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday. The Indiana Pacers are averaging 115.3 points on 47.4 percent shooting and allowing 115.3 points on 46.8 percent shooting. Malcolm Brogdon is averaging 21.2 points and 5.3 rebounds while Caris LeVert is averaging 20.7 points and 4.9 assists. Domantas Sabonis is the third double-digit scorer and Doug McDermott is grabbing 3.3 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 79.2 percent from the free throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 36.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.7 rebounds per game.
The Pacers are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 road games and 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Wizards are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games and 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 games overall. The over is 10-3 in Pacers last 13 overall. The under is 9-3 in Wizards last 12 home games. The Pacers are 11-5 ATS in the last 16 meetings in Washington.
The Indiana Pacers looked impressive in their win over the Hornets, but they're still a hit or miss team that's dealing with a boatload of injuries and I'm just not eager to back them if we're being honest. The Washington Wizards had their chances to beat the Celtics but fell apart in the second half and they're going to have trouble advancing if Beal doesn't heal from his injury and give a better effort. While the Pacers could win this game and a hobbled Beal scares me, I'm still giving the edge to the Wizards at home. The role players should shoot better at home and Westbrook in a do or die game is somebody you want on your side.
I'll lay the bucket.
Randy’s Pick Washington Wizards -3.5
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
Mitch's Take...
