Basketball - Friday, January 13, 2006
Washington Wizards/Indiana Pacers Total Points Over 195? (-110)
Indiana certainly isn't as strong defensively without Ron Artest in the lineup and we know that the Wizards treat defense as a disease.
Washington should be rested and ready after Wednesday's 31-point laugher over the visiting Hawks. Gilbert Arenas had nine points and hardly broke a sweat as he was nursing a sore hamstring versus Atlanta. He's pronounced himself fit to go tonight and a scorer like Arenas doesn't like going back-to-back games without getting his shots. I see a big offensive game from him tonight.
In their last visit to Conseco in early December, the Wizards surrendered 111 points, which isn't out of the ordinary as Washington plays matador defense on the road. In their last eight away from home, the Wizards have allowed 113, 111, 110, 111, 97, 97, 104 and 111 points. That is truly a committement to playing lousy defense.
With Artest out, the Pacers have changed their style a bit and are looking to run more. In Wednesday's 112-88 win over the visiting Bucks, Indiana had tons of easy transition buckets in shooting 69 percent from the field in the first half. Now the Pacers get to face a Washington team that has allowed its last five opponents to connect on 49.7 percent of their shots. Indiana also drained nine three-balls versus Milwaukee as they have not been shy about hoisting up from long range.
The Pacers are averaging 114 points in their last two home games. Washington gives up almost 103 points per game on the road and has gone over in nine of 12 versus teams with winning records this year
Washington Wizards/Indiana Pacers Total Points Over 195? (-110)
Indiana certainly isn't as strong defensively without Ron Artest in the lineup and we know that the Wizards treat defense as a disease.
Washington should be rested and ready after Wednesday's 31-point laugher over the visiting Hawks. Gilbert Arenas had nine points and hardly broke a sweat as he was nursing a sore hamstring versus Atlanta. He's pronounced himself fit to go tonight and a scorer like Arenas doesn't like going back-to-back games without getting his shots. I see a big offensive game from him tonight.
In their last visit to Conseco in early December, the Wizards surrendered 111 points, which isn't out of the ordinary as Washington plays matador defense on the road. In their last eight away from home, the Wizards have allowed 113, 111, 110, 111, 97, 97, 104 and 111 points. That is truly a committement to playing lousy defense.
With Artest out, the Pacers have changed their style a bit and are looking to run more. In Wednesday's 112-88 win over the visiting Bucks, Indiana had tons of easy transition buckets in shooting 69 percent from the field in the first half. Now the Pacers get to face a Washington team that has allowed its last five opponents to connect on 49.7 percent of their shots. Indiana also drained nine three-balls versus Milwaukee as they have not been shy about hoisting up from long range.
The Pacers are averaging 114 points in their last two home games. Washington gives up almost 103 points per game on the road and has gone over in nine of 12 versus teams with winning records this year
