2014 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Washington Wizards at Indiana Pacers – Game 2

Washington Wizards at Indiana Pacers
Time: 7 PM ET, May 7, 2014
Spread: IND -4.5
M/L: IND -190; WAS +165
Total: 187

Betting odds courtesy of Bovada

The Washington Wizards took home court advantage away from the Indiana Pacers by winning game one 102-96 on Monday (May 5) night.

The Wiz will look to take a second tonight, but the Pacers are 4.5 point favorites over Washington according to NBA oddsmakers at Bovada.

Indiana had a tough time controlling Wizards’ 2-guard Bradley Beal. The former Florida Gator scored 25 points on 8-of-18 shooting while also recording seven assists, seven boards and five steals. John Wall had an off night shooting the ball, but still had 13 points, nine assists and five boards. The entire Wizards starting lineup reached double-figure scoring, and Drew Gooden added 12 off the bench.

The Wizards did a superb job defensively, holding Indiana to 40.7 percent shooting in game one. Paul George and Lance Stephenson combined to shoot just 8-of-30 (26 percent). The Wizards also out rebounded Indiana 53-36, largely a product of Pacers center Roy Hibbert getting no rebounds at all in 18 minutes of play.

The Wiz have a chance to dominate the paint in this series with Nene Hilario and Marcin Gortat both playing good, inspired ball against the lethargy of Hibbert.

“We tell Roy all the time how much we’re going to need him in this series,” George said. There was a vicious rumor that George slept with Hibbert’s wife and that such was the reason for Hibbert’s precipitous fall off in play. Paul George addressed those rumors on Instagram, calling those who believe the rumors “ignorant.” The Pacers can say this isn’t a distraction, but when George is taking to social media to dispel rumors from an anonymous email, it’s safe to say it’s a distraction for the Pacers. Maybe the full story will come out after the season.

WAS Trends: 4-0 ATS in last 4 road games vs a team with a winning home record; 4-0 ATS in last 4 road games vs teams with home winning percentage greater than .600; 8-0 ATS in last 8 on 1 days rest.

IND Trends: 5-0 ATS in last 5 following ATS loss; 5-0 ATS in last 5 following SU loss; 1-7 ATS in last 8 home games vs teams with winning road records.