The Washington Wizards, with a 6-30 record, will look to snap their streak of three consecutive away losses when they take on the 21-15 Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night in the NBA. The game will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Indiana and Washington split their last 10 meetings, 5-5.
Wizards continue to struggle
The Wizards continue to struggle this season and come into this game on a five-game losing streak. They will try to turn it around with a win over the Pacers, which would give them their second straight win over Indiana.
Washington is averaging 115.5 points per game. They scored 128 points in their last game, shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 46.9 percent on three-pointers.
Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 24 points and five assists. Kyle Kuzma finished with 22 points, 15 rebounds and five assists, while Tyus Jones added 18 points and nine assists.
Washington has struggled defensively, allowing 126.3 points per game. They conceded 136 points in their last game and will need a significantly better effort if they want to win this game.
The Wizards have one of the worst defenses in the league and are allowing more than 125 points per game as visitors. They have also lost five straight games and three straight away games.
Washington generally plays well offensively, but has struggled in recent games, scoring less than 110 points per game in their last three games.
They don't grab rebounds as well as the Pacers and won't have many extra scoring opportunities against them.
They have also been sloppy with the ball, turning it over 17 times per game in their last three games, which will lead to easy scoring opportunities for the Pacers, who average 10 steals per game in their last three games.
Final lap in Indy this season 🏁
⏰ 7 p.m. ET
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💻 https://t.co/3y5EEo4xPW#ForTheDistrict | @CapitalOne pic.twitter.com/OCTsPWMj98- Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) January 10, 2024
Pacers Seek Second Consecutive Victory
The Pacers bounced back from their loss to the Boston Celtics with a win in Game 2 of their home-and-home series. They will try to keep the momentum going with a win over the Wizards, which would give them their second straight win and eighth win in their last nine games.
Indiana is averaging 126.5 points per game. They scored 133 points in their last game, hitting 52.7 percent of their shots from the field and 47.5 percent of their three-pointers.
Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 26 points and four rebounds. Aaron Nesmith added 17 points and four rebounds, while Myles Turner finished with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Indiana has not played well defensively, allowing 124.3 points per game. They conceded 131 points in their last game and will have to do a better job if they want to get the win.
The Pacers have won seven of their last eight games and four of their last five home games. They have one of the league's best offenses and score more than 128 points per game at home.
They are also one of the best in the league when it comes to finding the open man and are very aggressive on offensive rebounds, so expect them to have plenty of extra scoring opportunities.
Indiana does a good job of protecting the ball and they won't give the Wizards many easy scoring opportunities.
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana's leading scorer, was hurt in their last game with a hamstring injury and has been ruled out indefinitely. Although the Pacers will be without him, they are still expected to play well offensively in this game.