[WATCH/STREAMS!] Wizards vs Pacers Live Free Online Broadcast 25 October 2023
The Indiana Pacers will host the Washington Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 25th in the season opener for both teams. Wizards vs Pacers Live Stream: How to Watch for Free
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How to watch Pacers vs. Wizards basketball game
Kyle Kuzma and the Washington Wizards (0-0) face Buddy Hield and the Indiana Pacers (0-0) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana on Wednesday, October 25 at 7:00 PM ET.
Wednesday’s game between the Pacers and the Wizards sees the Pacers as 5-point favorites. The over/under is 235.5 points for the matchup.
How To Watch
When: Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse -- Indianapolis, Indiana
TV: Bally Sports Midwest - Indiana
The Washington Wizards will hit the road to start their 2023-2024 campaign against the Indiana Pacers. Tip off is scheduled at 7:00 p.m. ET on October 25th at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
A deciding factor in this game could be defensive rebounds, as these two teams wound up on other sides of the spectrum last year. The Wizards finished last season ranked fifth overall in defensive rebounds, having averaged 34.2 per game. The Pacers, on the other hand, didn't do so hot: they were ranked 24th with 31.4 per game.
Looking back to last season, the Wizards finished on the wrong side of .500 (35-47), but they'll be hoping to turn things around this year. Similarly, the Pacers didn't have their best season, also finishing 35-47.
The Wizards will be fighting an uphill battle on Wednesday as the experts have pegged them as the 7.5-point underdog. They finished last season with a 37-42 record against the spread.
The Wizards were able to grind out a solid win over the Pacers when the teams last played back in February, winning 127-113. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Wizards since the team won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers kick-off the NBA season against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.
The future is now for the Indiana Pacers with All-Star Tyrese Haliburton healthy and ready to lead the team to the playoffs. Last season Indiana was 28-28 when Haliburton was healthy and playing. This season the team is ready to go after adding more depth and targets for the dynamic passer with Obi Toppin in the offseason and Jarace Walker in the draft.
They take on a Washington Wizards team on Wednesday that has a fresh new look as well, led by new point guard Tyus Jones, dynamic scorer Jordan Poole and rookie Bilal Coulibaly, who all bring new energy to the roster.
Washington has a lot of young pieces that are looking to prove themselves this season in Deni Avdija, Corey Kispert and Johnny Davis who have had up-and-down starts to their careers.
This season Indiana looks to be the breakout young team with Haliburton leading the way, last season's assists per game leader. He has a roster of talent in Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard, who are in their second years, Isaiah Jackson in his third year and Jalen Smith and Aaron Nesmith in their fourth year.
Veterans Myles Turner, Buddy Hield and newcomer Bruce Brown all bring leadership to the roster and fill in as shooters, defenders and connectors for all of the young talent.
Washington ended last season 35-47 while going 37-41-4 ATS. Its major offseason departure of G Bradley Beal in a 3-team trade with the Pacers and Suns landed them G Chris Paul, who they traded to the Warriors for G Jordan Poole among other players, picks, and cash considerations. While Beal leaving is a blow to the team, the addition of Poole adds championship experience.
Indiana also finished last season with a 35-47 record while going 42-40 ATS. It is led by G Tyrese Haliburton who averaged 20.7 points per game (PPG) and 10.4 assists per game (APG) last season.
With -225 odds, there is not much profit to be made. The Pacers possess a lot of firepower in Haliburton, G Buddy Hield, and big man C Myles Turner. Facing a young Wizards team whose chemistry is unknown, expect the Pacers to come out on top.
While 5.5 points leaves a lot of room for the Wizards to beat the spread, the Pacers had a positive ATS record last season despite their losing record. The Wizards had an offensive rating that put them 22nd of 30 teams and a defensive rating that put them 21st last season. They face a tough battle to start the season on the road and whether or not they can perform under pressure without Beal is yet to be seen.
The Pacers ranked 5th in pace last season, but the Wizards ranked 19th in the category. You can expect Poole and G Kyle Kuzma (21.2 PPG last season) to score, but beyond them there are not many others to help carry the load. Being the 1st game of the season, expect sloppy play that will inhibit the Over from hitting.
The Washington Wizards come into this season, staring down the fewest projected win total and the longest odds to reach the NBA Finals. This is because the Wizards committed to what appears to be a complete rebuild during the offseason. Shipping out Kristaps Porzingis and Bradley Beal paves the way for a youth movement in this 2023-24 campaign. Now led by Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma, the Wizards will try to defy these low expectations by taking care of the Pacers on their opening night.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers can potentially surprise the league this season. With their core group of players returning, this team could have a breakout year under head coach Rick Carlisle. To do so, point guard Tyrese Haliburton must keep up his All-Star-level play. The league noticed last year, and now everyone is watching as they start this season at home against the Wizards.