Wiz Talk with Chase: Previewing the Wizards vs. Pacers Game! A Porzingis Wizards debut?!

Wiz Talk with Chase: Previewing the Wizards vs. Pacers Game! A Porzingis Wizards debut?!

Tonight, the Indiana Pacers head to the Nation’s Capital to take on the Washington Wizards. The Wizards faced the Pacers on Indiana’s home court just a couple of days before the all star break. Despite a great night from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who racked up and 3 steals that night, Indiana was able to hold on and win 113-108. This time however, the rosters are slightly different. The Wizards signed Thomas Satoransky who has made a big impact for them in his 2 games with the team. Most importantly though, Kristaps Porzingis is listed as probable for this game, which would be his long awaited Wizards debut. Can the Wizards give a nice possible welcome to Kristaps Porzingis by getting a win? Below is the answer!

My prediction: Wizards win by 1 possession

I have the Wizards winning this game because of the disadvantage when it comes to injuries. Kristaps Porzingis is available for tonight’s game which usually means active. With Porzingis, the Wizards paint game will get much better. They were outscored 74-36 in the paint in their 5pt loss to Indiana in their last matchup against them. That won’t happen now with Porzingis, despite a possibility of less minutes, because of his talent on both sides of the ball. Also, this open’s up the Wizards 3pt game so much. Rui Hachimura has shot 76.2% from deep since the trade deadline, shooting 2.6 3pt attempts per night. Kyle Kuzma has shot 38.6% from downtown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has shot 55.6% from downtown in this stretch. Now think about that + a 35.3% career 3pt shooter. The Wizards 3pt game will be deadly and so will their paint game which will result in a win over Indiana!

Superman Sleeper: Corey Kispert is my Superman Sleeper for tonight’s game! I mentioned the Wizards 3pt shooting talent and how good they’ve been recently. With Porzingis added and the others who have stepped up as of lately, the Pacers don’t have time to worry about Kispert and the more open looks he will get with Porzingis on the team. Kispert shot 44% from downtown in his last year in college. That 3pt shooting talent, the more open looks + the fact that Indiana has one of the worst 3pt shooting defenses in the league, makes me chose Corey Kispert for my Superman Sleeper!

1-1,000,000 chance

The Pacers will not score 1pt in the first 62 seconds of the 2nd half

Starters

Wizards                                                                                                                                                                                                   Pacers

Neto                                                                                                                                                                                                                Haliburton

Kispert                                                                                                                                                                                                                Brogdon

Caldwell-Pope                                                                                                                                                                                                        Hield

Kuzma                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Brissett

Gafford                                                                                                                                                                                                                Jackson

Fun Fact: Isaiah Jackson (Indiana starting center) was drafted by Washington and was traded in a ‘planned trade’ to Indiana in July!

Injuries

Wizards: Beal (IR), Porzingis (Available), Carey Jr. (Out)

Pacers: Bitadze (Questionable), Duarte (Questionable), McConnell (Out), Rubio (IR), Stephenson (Questionable), Turner (Out), Warren (IR)

 

Chase Coburn

chasecpc@gmail.com

chase@chasessportsnews.com

Wiz Talk with Chase

Cool Sports Network

chasessportsnews.com

 

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