PREMIUM
Rogers' ESPN Friday Night WINNER (Pacers/Wizards)
(NBA) Indiana vs. Washington,
Total: 214.50 | -109.00 Under
Result: Win
Total: 214.50 | -109.00 Under
Result: Win
The set-up: The 29-23 Indiana Pacers saw their seven-game winning snapped Tuesday at home to teheCavs and now must travel to Washington to take on the 31-21 Wizards. The Wizards also know a little something about losing at home to the Cavs as well, as Washington saw its 17-game home winning come to an end on Monday, when the Cavs beat them 140-135 in OT.
Indiana: The Pacers were full of confidence before the Cavs came to town, entering Wednesday's contest allowing just 96.3 PPG during their winning streak, having held four straight opponents under 100 points. However, the Cavs scored 132, while connecting on 54.8 percent as a team. Kyle Korver made 8-of-9 from three-point range for Cleveland. Indiana led 63-57 at halftime against the Cavs but fell apart in the third quarter in getting outscored 40-18! "At the start of the third quarter, you can't come out not focused and ready to go as we did," Pacers head coach Nate McMillan said. "You've got to be calm in games like this. We got rattled. I think we separated and momentum went to the other side of the floor." SF George (22.5 & 6.2), PG Teague (15.9 & 8.2 APG) and center Turner (15.5 & 7.2)) are Indiana's best players but forward Thaddeus Young (11.5 & 6.1) remains questionable after missing his third straight game with a sprained left wrist and he is missed, especially at the defensive end.
Washington: The loss to the Cavs was one of the NBA's best-played games this season and the Wizards seemed understandingly sluggish two nights later, needing OT to defeat the NBA's worst team (Nets), 114-110. Washington has quite a starting-five, led by the outstanding guard combo of Wall (23.0-4.5-10.5) and Beal (22.4). Up front, center Gortat (11.9 & 11.5) is surrounded by the ever-improving Porter (14.5 & 6.6) and the solid as they come Morris (14.4 & 6.8).
The pick: Both teams have been climbing up the Eastern Conference's pecking order but both were also "put in their place" by the standard-bearing Cavs. Now it's back to fighting among themselves, as the teams meet for the third time this season, with each team winning at home. Washington comes in 22-7 SU at home, after winning 17 of 18, and has averaged 110.2 PPG in all home contests this season. The Pacers are not a good road team (9-16 SU), where they allow 108.1 PPG. The Over is an 8* play.
Indiana: The Pacers were full of confidence before the Cavs came to town, entering Wednesday's contest allowing just 96.3 PPG during their winning streak, having held four straight opponents under 100 points. However, the Cavs scored 132, while connecting on 54.8 percent as a team. Kyle Korver made 8-of-9 from three-point range for Cleveland. Indiana led 63-57 at halftime against the Cavs but fell apart in the third quarter in getting outscored 40-18! "At the start of the third quarter, you can't come out not focused and ready to go as we did," Pacers head coach Nate McMillan said. "You've got to be calm in games like this. We got rattled. I think we separated and momentum went to the other side of the floor." SF George (22.5 & 6.2), PG Teague (15.9 & 8.2 APG) and center Turner (15.5 & 7.2)) are Indiana's best players but forward Thaddeus Young (11.5 & 6.1) remains questionable after missing his third straight game with a sprained left wrist and he is missed, especially at the defensive end.
Washington: The loss to the Cavs was one of the NBA's best-played games this season and the Wizards seemed understandingly sluggish two nights later, needing OT to defeat the NBA's worst team (Nets), 114-110. Washington has quite a starting-five, led by the outstanding guard combo of Wall (23.0-4.5-10.5) and Beal (22.4). Up front, center Gortat (11.9 & 11.5) is surrounded by the ever-improving Porter (14.5 & 6.6) and the solid as they come Morris (14.4 & 6.8).
The pick: Both teams have been climbing up the Eastern Conference's pecking order but both were also "put in their place" by the standard-bearing Cavs. Now it's back to fighting among themselves, as the teams meet for the third time this season, with each team winning at home. Washington comes in 22-7 SU at home, after winning 17 of 18, and has averaged 110.2 PPG in all home contests this season. The Pacers are not a good road team (9-16 SU), where they allow 108.1 PPG. The Over is an 8* play.
