Wizards vs. Pacers Prediction and Odds for Wednesday, Oct. 19 (Bet Indiana as Home Underdogs)
By Reed Wallach
The Pacers are in the midst of a full rebuild, but have some exciting young pieces they are going to let loose at home this season, including midseason acquisition Tyrese Haliburton and sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft Benedict Mathurin.
The motive might not be to win by the end of the season, but what about on opening night against a Washington Wizards team that missed the playoffs last season? The Pacers enter this one as home underdogs, will they outperform expectations? Let's check out the odds and find a best bet for this one:
Wizards vs. Pacers Odds, Spread and Total
Wizards vs. Pacers Prediction and Pick
I don't rate the Wizards that highly, and while the Pacers are likely competing for more ping pong balls in the lottery, they have plenty of young talent that should be able to show out early in the season.
Haliburton thrived as the lead guard in Indy after being acquired in a trade deadline deal last February, averaging 17 points, nearly 10 assists and put up shooting splits of 50/41/84. He'll be joined by second year pro Chris Duarte and top 10 pick Mathurin, who shined in preseason.
Benedict Mathurin is who the Pacers hope is the ideal backcourt partner with Tyrese Halliburton for a long time
— Coast 2 Coast (@Coast2CoastNBA) October 13, 2022
In summer league and this preseason he’s looked super confident, has a high motor, and is great at getting to the rim
20.3 ppg in the preseason on 52.6% shooting pic.twitter.com/11JUJdzkYL
The Wizards have high end talent like Bradley Beal, but I'm not rushing to back this team as road favorite against a team that has an unknown ceiling at the moment. I'll bank on an exciting game and the Pacers getting off to a hot start and covering the one bucket spread.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.