Last Updated: Dec. 19 at 11:45 AM
Matchup
After a three-game road trip, the Indiana Pacers (14-14) return to the friendly confines of Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday night to host the Washington Wizards (12-14). Monday's game will be the first of four meetings this season between Indiana and Washington.
Through 28 games, Indiana has been consistently inconsistent. The Pacers have yet to win or lose more than two consecutive contests all season long. They dropped games in Miami and New Orleans last week before bouncing back on Saturday with a 105-90 win over the Pistons in Detroit, giving the Blue & Gold a .500 record for the 12th time this season.
Fortunately for the Pacers, the same issues seem to be plaguing most of the teams in the Eastern Conference. As of Monday morning, just four games separate the third and 12th-place teams in the East. Indiana is right in the middle of that jumble, tied for seventh with Chicago.
The next few weeks will be a litmus test on just where Indiana stands in the conference pecking order. Saturday's game tipped off an 11-game stretch on the Pacers' schedule where they play only other teams in the East. If they can figure out a way to start stringing some wins together, they could surge up the standings.
The Pacers may finally find that elusive prolonged winning streak if they can repeat their performance from Saturday night. They were excellent defensively on the glass in Detroit, holding the Pistons to just 38.1 percent shooting and outrebounding Detroit by 11, just the eighth time this season Indiana has won the battle of the boards.
The biggest challenge for Indiana defensively on Monday night will be slowing down John Wall, Washington's All-Star point guard. As of Saturday, Wall ranked 13th in the NBA in scoring (23.9 points per game) and third in assists (9.7 per contest). With Wall's speed, the Pacers' shot selection and ball security will be key because they don't want to give him any easy opportunities to get out in transition.
But the Pacers can't focus all of their energy on stopping Wall. After a slow start, the Wizards have played better lately, winning three straight and five of their last six games. The common thread in that stretch? Strong play from 23-year-old shooting guard Bradley Beal.
Beal has battled injuries the past few seasons, but he's currently healthy and playing some of the best basketball of his young career. He's averaging 26.8 points over his last six games and scored 41 in a win over the Clippers on Sunday afternoon.
Projected Starters
Jeff Teague
Glenn Robinson III
Paul George
Thaddeus Young
Myles Turner
John Wall
Bradley Beal
Otto Porter, Jr.
Markieff Morris
Marcin Gortat
Pacers: PG - Jeff Teague, SG - Glenn Robinson III, SF - Paul George, PF - Thaddeus Young, C - Myles Turner
Wizards: PG - John Wall, SG - Bradley Beal, SF - Otto Porter, Jr., PF - Markieff Morris, C - Marcin Gortat
Injury Report
Pacers: Monta Ellis - out (right groin strain), Rodney Stuckey - out (left hamstring strain)
Wizards: Danuel House, Jr. - out (right wrist fracture), Ian Mahinmi - out (sore right knee), Kelly Oubre, Jr. - out (concussion protocol), Jason Smith - questionable (strained right hamstring)
Last Meeting
March 5, 2016: Paul George scored 38 points, including the game-winning free throws with three seconds left to lift Indiana to a 100-99 win over the Wizards in Washington.
George finished the evening 13-for-22 from the field and 4-for-7 from 3-point range. Monta Ellis added 17 points, six rebounds, and four steals in the win.
John Wall led Washington with 25 points and 12 assists, but also committed seven turnovers. Markieff Morris added 14 points and eight rebounds.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers hold a 94-73 lead in the all-time series with the Wizards.
- Indiana has come away with wins in its last three visits to the Verizon Center.
- Pacers forward C.J. Miles needs one steal to reach 500 for his career.
- Ian Mahinmi spent four years with the Pacers before signing with Washington over the summer. The fashionable Frenchman has only played in one game with the Wizards this season due to injuries.
Tickets
Good seats still remain for Monday's game against John Wall and the Washington Wizards at 7:00 PM ET at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Find Tickets »
Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »
TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Please Note: Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070.
Home Court Gift Shop Game Night Special
Thermal Long Sleeve - $16. Game Night Specials can be purchased in the Home Court Gift Shop or any of our souvenir stands located on all levels of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The special is also available online at PacersGear.com until midnight.
Construction Note: The Delaware St. entrance to the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage is no longer in operation due to the construction of the St. Vincent Center. To enter the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage, please use the entrance located at the intersection of E Maryland St. and S Alabama St.
In addition, the southbound lane of Delaware Street from Maryland to just south of the train bridge will be closed for the duration of the construction project.