Indiana Pacers vs Washington Wizards

The Indiana Pacers have been on a strong run lately, securing seven victories in their last ten matchups. After a shaky start to the season, the team found its rhythm once stars Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton hit their peak form, propelling them into fourth place in the standings. Under Rick Carlisle’s leadership, the Pacers continue to shine offensively—ranking eighth in the league with 116.6 points per game—but their defense remains a weak spot, giving up 115.2 points (17th in the NBA).

In their most recent outing, Indiana fell just short against the Los Angeles Lakers, losing 119-120 at home on Wednesday. Bennedict Mathurin led the scoring with 23 points, but the combined firepower of Luka Dončić and LeBron James proved too much to overcome. With the Pacers playing on consecutive nights, Carlisle may opt to rest key players to manage fatigue.

The Indiana Pacers hold a 42-30 record this season, placing them fourth in the Eastern Conference. While they’ve struggled on the road (17-19), they trail the first-place Cavaliers by 16 games but maintain a comfortable seven-game lead over the Hawks for seventh. Riding momentum, the Pacers have won five of their last six games heading into Thursday’s matchup.

In their most recent outing, Indiana suffered a heartbreaking 120-119 loss to the Lakers on March 26 after LeBron James sealed the game with a last-second tip-in. Despite a late surge—including a clutch bucket and free throw from Tyrese Haliburton—the Pacers couldn’t hold on after battling back from an eight-point deficit. The team shot efficiently (50.6% FG, 41.7% 3PT), with Bennedict Mathurin leading the bench effort, scoring 23 points.

Key Performers:

• Pascal Siakam leads Indiana in scoring (20.8 PPG) and rebounds (7.0 RPG).

• Tyrese Haliburton facilitates the offense, averaging 9.1 assists per game.

Season Highlights:

• The Pacers have dominated the Wizards, sweeping both matchups this year.

• Offensively, they rank 7th in scoring (116.6 PPG), 3rd in FG% (48.9%), and 8th in 3PT% (36.9%).

• Defensively, they’ve been middle-of-the-pack, allowing 115.3 PPG (17th) while struggling with opponent FG% (47.5%, 5th-worst). However, their three-point defense is solid (35.4% allowed, 11th).

Betting Trends:

• ATS Record: 32-37-3 (15-12-2 after a loss).

• Rest Advantage: 15-20-2 ATS with equal rest.

• Over/Under: The over hits frequently (36-34-2 overall, 21-14-2 with equal rest, 18-9-2 post-loss).

With a high-powered offense and playoff positioning at stake, the Pacers look to bounce back in their upcoming games.