The Washington Wizards head to Indian tonight to take on the Pacers. Both teams are extremely beat up with injuries and made huge trade deadline moves. Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield are 2 players that just joined Indiana this week that I think will make a key impact in this game. The Wizards have played the Pacers twice this season and gone 1-1 in those matchups. They beat Indiana on the Wizards first home game of the season in overtime, 135-134 due to Spencer Dinwiddie’s 34 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds. Dinwiddie is now a Dallas Maverick after him and Davis Bertans were flipped for Kristaps Porzingis at the deadline. Indiana took the 2nd game because of Domantas Sabonis 30 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. He is now a King in the large trade that gave Indiana Haliburton. This was the start of the Wizards downfall after their unexpected 10-3 start. Below is what I think is going to happen between 2 teams that usually have competitive games but now with different players!
Fun Fact: Indiana’s Isaiah Jackson (who is out for tonight’s game) was drafted by Washington and traded to Indiana on draft night!
My prediction: Wizards will win by 1 possession
This game will come down to who dominates the glass more. The Pacers won their last game against the Wizards by getting more rebounds, 40-30 the exact amount. With the Pacers missing Myles Turner to injury and trading Sabonis, they will need someone to step up and grab rebounds. The Wizards need the same thing. After trading Montrezl Harrell and now having the absence of Gafford and newly acquired Porzingis, they have been relying on Thomas Bryant and 6’8 Anthony Gill to grab the rebounds. Whoever plays better in the glass will win the game. Well, Indiana is grabbing 4.7 more rebounds per game since both teams big trade to get rid of some big man play. So, Indiana has a very good chance of winning the game if they continue this success!
Superman Sleeper: Buddy Hield is my Superman Sleeper for tonight’s game. The Wizards allow their opponent to shoot .354% from 3 per game. Indiana has a sharp shooter. Hield has shot 40% from downtown for his career and is shooting .368% from the arc this season alone, .371% with Indiana. Hield’s 3pt shooting abilities along with Washington’s lack of 3pt defense abilities will mean Hield will thrive, have a good game for 3 and be my Superman Sleeper!
To learn more about this game, check out my Wiz Talk with Chase episode (146) that is coming out around 15-30 minutes before tip-off!
Starters
Wizards Pacers
Neto Haliburton
Kispert Hield
Caldwell-Pope Brissett
Kuzma Smith
Bryant Bitadze
Injuries:
Wizards: Beal (IR), Hachimura (Out), Gafford (Out), Porzingis (Out)
Pacers: Turner (Out), Brogdon (Out), Duarte (Out), Jackson (Out), McConnell (Out), Rubio (Out), Warren (Out)
Chase Coburn
chasecpc@gmail.com
chase@chasessportsnews.com
Wiz Talk with Chase
Cool Sports Network
chasessportsnews.com
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