Wizards (33-21) at Pacers (29-27)
February 16, 2017 at 7:00 PM Bankers Life Fieldhouse | Indianapolis, IN TV: CSN Mid-Atlantic Radio: 1500 AM
Last time they met was..
February 10, 2017- Verizon Center, Washington DC: Wizards 112, Pacers 107 RECAP: Chief Keef Powers Wizards Win Over Pacers
What to watch:
Going into break on a high note.
After tonight’s game, players will enjoy some much needed time off, except for John Wall who is heading to New Orleans for his fourth straight All Star Game. Bradley Beal should be going too but unfortunately that isn’t going to happen. The Wizards have won 17 of their last 20 games including six of their last eight games on the road. Focus on the game tonight, then worry about vacation later. Once the All Star break wraps up, the team will begin their grind towards the playoffs.
Key Matchup:
Otto Porter vs. Paul George
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PG13 scored a game-high 31 points during the Wizards-Pacers game last week. Otto had eight points, four rebounds and one three. If the Wizards want to win tonight, Porter needs to hold George under 30 points and continue to work his magic from behind the arc. While he did go 1-for-4 from three-point land in that last meeting, everyone has off games.
X-Factor:
Indy fatigue.
Indiana is heading into tonight’s game having lost five in a row. The Pacers will also be playing their third game in four nights while the Wizards have enjoyed two days of rest after a commanding win over the Thunder. The Pacers lost to the Cavs last night and three of their five starters (George, Jeff Teague, and Myles Turner) each played over 32 minutes. Basketball games are 48 minutes long.
Fun Factor:
Conference seeding at stake.
Tonight is the fourth and final meeting between the Wizards and Pacers this season. Each team has won on their home floor. Washington lost a heartbreaker in the first meeting with a game-winning shot by Thaddeus Young in the final seconds while they prevailed in the next two contests in DC. The Wizards are third in the east while the Pacers are sixth with four games separating the two teams. Should something happen where the Pacers catch up to the Wizards, Washington would hold the tiebreaker should they win tonight. If they don’t, math and numbers get more complicated.
Prediction:
The home team has won each contest in this series but that will end tonight. Beal will play pissed off since he didn’t get the All Star nod and drop 40 points in a Wizards win.