5 first round NBA playoff matchups we’re dying to see
By Noah Torr
4. Wizards – Pacers
The fact that these two teams would play one another if the playoffs started today would be incredible.
Both of these teams are starting to click at just the right time. The Wizards are arguably the second best team in the Eastern Conference and the Pacers are finally starting to gel after a rocky start to their season.
The Wizards are benefitting from the emergence of their young small forward, Otto Porter. Porter is leaps and bounds better than what he was last year. To illustrate this, you only have to look at one of his stats, his Box Plus-Minus — a box score based estimate of a player’s net impact per 100 possessions. Last year, Porter’s BPM was +1.8 and this year it is up to 4.8. He has made amazing strides on the offensive end this season and his defense has only gotten better since last year. He has set himself up for a max contract this season.
The Wizards are also benefitting from John Wall and Bradley Beal, who were being questioned as a duo heading into this season. Undoubtedly, both have squashed the notion that they are not compatible together.
The Pacers are finding their footing just in the nick of time. Their two big free agent acquisitions, Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young, both had high expectations when they entered Indiana but have played better alongside Paul George as the season has gone on. Myles Turner took over the center position from Ian Mahinmi. Turner is definitely one of the young bright spots on this team along with Glen Robinson III. Although the team is not perfect, they have the tools to try and compete with Washington.
The difference when the Pacers and the Wizards play in the playoffs is that everyone will be healthy. Thaddeus Young will be available, barring he does not get injured. This will be a series to watch if it happens.