Washington Wizards vs. Indiana Pacers: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 12/9/2022

by Chuck Sommers

Friday, Dec 09, 2022
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Where to watch: NBCSWA, BSN

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks


DraftKings: Pacers -5; Pacers -205, Wizards +175
FanDuel: Pacers -5; Pacers -215, Wizards +180; O/U 232
BetMGM: Pacers -4.5; Pacers -225, Wizards +180
Caesars: Pacers -5; Pacers -208, Wizards +175

Season record
Wizards: 11-14
Pacers: 13-12

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Wizards - Pacers preview, prediction and analysis


Wizards analysis
 
The Washington Wizards are currently in freefall mode and it does not help to have their top two players out due to injury. But the Wizards need to figure out how to get things going without Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis before things continue to get worse. Washington has lost four in a row and seven of its last eight, with the only victory being a 142-127 win against Minnesota at home. In this run, the Wizards have only covered twice, including Wednesday in Chicago in a 115-111 loss when the Wizards were five point underdogs. Overall, Washington finds itself at 2-4-2 against the spread in its last 8.
 
The Wizards had so much potential going into this season and the success that they had was going to be predicated on if the two best players could stay healthy. Right now, it would appear that Beal is out until mid-December with a hamstring injury. Porzingis is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. But it doesn't stop there. Shooting guard Will Barton is questionable with a foot injury, forward Rui Hachimura is out indefinitely due to an ankle injury, and point guard Delon Wright won't be back until possibly January with a hamstring injury of his own.
 
Washington is going to struggle quite a bit going forward, but the one thing you can be sure of if you're not picking the opponent in this one is that the over is a major play. The over is 6-1-1 in Washington’s last eight games and the record stays the same after the Wizards allow 100 points or more in their previous game. So even if Washington is not committing to scoring the basketball that much, defensively it has been a problem.
 
Pacers analysis
 
It is also not been a fun run as of late for the Indiana Pacers, who have certainly cooled off from their hot start to start the season. The Pacers have lost four of their last five and have failed to cover in those five. The only cover was against Golden State earlier this week when the Pacers shockingly, as 12.5 underdogs, defeated the warriors outright won 12-104. Overall, Indiana went 2-5 during its seven game road trip that was predominantly marked on the West Coast, but Indiana is also coming off a 121-115 loss in Minnesota on Wednesday.
 
Indiana being a young team certainly has this aura around them with coach Rick Carlisle that they might be able to surprise some people in the Eastern Conference. And that much remains true for as long as they are hovering around .500 for the foreseeable future. But Indiana is looking to be without starting center Myles Turner due to a hamstring injury. He is listed as questionable. But so long as the Pacers are getting tremendous play from point guard Tyrese Halliburton, such as his 26 points and 15 assists against Minnesota, Indiana is going to find itself in a lot of games this year and there is a chance they could shock some people.
 
Prediction
 
In addition to the injuries that the Wizards are going through, the Pacers are actually 5-1 against the spread in their last six home games against teams with a losing record. Even though the Pacers are 1-4 in their last five against the spread overall, I trust that collective group of talent over whatever Washington is sending out on the court. The home team gets it done. Pacers by 10

Betting trends


Pacers are 19-33 ATS off a road loss the last 3 seasons.

Pacers are 13-26 ATS at home after playing on the road the last 3 seasons.

Pacers are 120-86 ATS at home after losing 3 of 4 since 1996.

Wizards are 43-60 ATS in all games the last 2 seasons.

Projected starting lineup


Wizards:
PG: Monte Morris
SG: Corey Kispert
SF: Deni Avdija
PF: Kyle Kuzma
C: Daniel Gafford

Pacers:
PG: Tyrese Haliburton
SG: Andrew Nembhard
SF: Buddy Hield
PF: Jalen Smith
C: Myles Turner

Injury report


Wizards: Bradley Beal (hamstring, out), Kristaps Porzingis (ankle, questionable), Rui Hachimura (ankle, out), Delon Wright (hamstring, out)

Pacers: Myles Turner (hamstring, questionable), Chris Duarte (ankle, out)

Statistical leaders


Wizards:
Points: Bradley Beal -- 22.9
Rebounds: Kristaps Porzingis -- 8.8
Assists: Bradley Beal -- 5.4

Pacers:
Points: Tyrese Haliburton -- 19.4
Rebounds: Myles Turner -- 8.1
Assists: Tyrese Haliburton -- 11.1

Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Washington Wizards - Indiana Pacers prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA projections and previews.

Chuck Sommers

About the Author:

Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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