Wizards vs. Pacers Prediction and Odds for Friday, December 9th (Wizards' Defense Has Disappeared)

The Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards will go head-to-head for the third time this season but the first since October. They split the previous two and are both in the logjam in the middle of the eastern conference. The Pacers are one of the big surprises of the year at 13-12, and the Wizards are staying afloat at 11-14, but with a couple of wins, Washington could launch itself into the playoff picture. 

Let’s take a look at the odds for this one and I’ll tell you how I’m betting it. 

Wizards vs. Pacers Odds, Spread and Total

Wizards vs. Pacers Prediction and Pick

The Wizards have lost four games in a row and now Kristaps Porzingis is questionable for tonight’s game. He’s day-to-day with an ankle sprain, and I’m sure he won't be 100% if he does play. Meanwhile, Indiana has slowed their pace from the start of the year. Rick Carlisle’s team has lost four of their last five games. 

The defense has been the issue for both teams. For the season, the Wizards have been very good on that end of the floor, allowing the 7th-fewest points per game, but over this four-game losing streak, they’ve given up 123.7 points. If their defense falls out of the top 10 or the upper half of the league, then they will plummet in the standings because they are 21st in offense and are not particularly efficient. Porzingis and Beal are a good 1-2 punch and Kyle Kuzma is also averaging over 20 points a game, so I expect the Wizards to score tonight even if Porzingis is out. 

The Pacers are 1-4 ATS in their last five as well as being 1-4 straight up. Vegas has adjusted to the fact that they are a good team and they’re becoming less profitable. The over is 6-1-1 in Washington’s last eight and 5-0-1 following a straight up loss, so that’s my play here. 

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change