Indiana Pacers vs Washington-wizards Picks and Predictions April 8th 2025

Indiana Pacers vs Washington-Wizards April 8th 2025

At 7:00 ET, the Pacers (-2157) will host the Wizards (+1080) in an Eastern Conference matchup. Indiana is currently favored by 18.5 points and has won four straight games. Washington has dropped two in a row and is 15th in the East.

This game will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The over/under line for this matchup is 238.5 points. FDSI will have TV coverage for this game.

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Wizards vs. Pacers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Washington Wizards at Indiana Pacers
• Where: Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
• Date: Tuesday, April 8th
• Betting Odds IND -18.5, WAS +1080 | IND -2157 O/U 238.5

The Wizards Can Win If…

The Wizards dropped to 17-61 on the season after a 124-90 road loss to the Celtics on Sunday. Washington entered the game as +19.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total score of 214 points fell short of the 228-point O/U line.

Boston took control early, leading 34-18 after the 1st quarter. A 19-0 run by the Celtics stretched the score from 79-60 to 98-60, and Washington couldn’t recover, scoring just 22 points in the 4th quarter while Boston added 24.

In their 124-90 loss to the Celtics, the Wizards shot 40.7% from the field and struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 26.7% of their threes. They made 12 three-pointers in the game, which is around their average.

Alexandre Sarr led the Wizards with 16 points, while Justin Champagnie and Jordan Poole each added 15. Champagnie also grabbed 13 rebounds and hit 3 threes at a 60% clip.

Defensively, the Wizards struggled in their 124-90 loss to the Celtics, especially in the 1st and 3rd quarters, where they gave up 34 and 40 points, respectively. Washington allowed Boston to shoot 49% from the field.

The Wizards had a tough time defending the three-point line, as the Celtics hit 24 threes at a 46% clip. Washington also allowed 25 offensive rebounds and finished with 5 steals and 3 blocks.

• Although Washington has a straight up record of 1-2 in their last three road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 1-2. The team averaged 104 points per game in these games.
• Looking back on the team’s last three games as the underdog, the Wizards have a straight up record of 1-2. Their record vs the spread in these games was 2-1.
• Over their last three games, the Wizards have an over/under record of 0-3 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Pacers Can Win If…

Indiana improved to 47-31 on the season with a 125-120 win over the Nuggets on Sunday. The Pacers were +5 point underdogs heading into the game and not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread. The total points for the game were set at 238.5, and the teams combined for 245 points, going over the line.

After trailing 33-24 at the end of the 1st quarter, the Pacers bounced back by winning the next three quarters. They outscored Denver 37-33 in the 2nd quarter, 37-31 in the 3rd, and 27-23 in the 4th, taking a 98-97 lead into the final period.

Myles Turner led the Pacers with 24 points and 4 threes in their 125-120 win over the Nuggets, shooting 40% from deep and 50% overall. Obi Toppin also connected on 4 threes, hitting 44.4% from beyond the arc and finishing with 22 points.

As a team, the Pacers made 15 threes, shooting 34.1% from long range and 47.9% overall. Andrew Nembhard added 19 points and 6 assists, shooting 57.1% from the field.

Despite allowing 120 points on 53% shooting, the Pacers tightened up defensively in the 4th quarter, giving up just 23 points to help secure the win. They struggled in the 1st and 2nd quarters, allowing 33 points in each.

Indiana did an excellent job defending the three, holding the Nuggets to just 8 made threes on 25% shooting. They also sent Denver to the line 18 times, where they made 12 free throws. The Pacers finished with 10 steals and 7 blocks.

• Although Indiana has a straight up record of 4-6 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 3-7. The team averaged 122 points per game in these games.
• Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Pacers have a straight up record of 9-1. But, their mark vs the spread was just 2-7-1.
• In their last five games, the Pacers have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

We’re calling a win for the Pacers, with a final score of 129-88, and we’re taking them to cover the spread. Our recommendation is to bet on the Pacers at -18.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 238.5 and given that our model is projecting 217 points between the teams, we like the under.

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Pacers Surge at the Perfect Time

The Pacers (47-31) enter the final week of the regular season with serious momentum, having won 4 straight games and 10 of their last 12. Their most recent victory, a gritty 125-120 win over defending champions Denver, underscored their readiness for playoff intensity.

Currently holding the No. 4 seed, Indiana sits three games ahead of Milwaukee and just behind the third-seeded Knicks. With four games remaining, they’re aiming to secure home-court advantage in the first round.

Coach Carlisle’s Playoff Mindset

Head coach Rick Carlisle is already treating these final matchups like postseason games.

“These last four games are going to be playoff games,” Carlisle said. “We’ve got to approach it that way.”

He added that even their matchup against the lowly Wizards deserves full attention, noting Washington has given Indiana trouble in previous meetings.

Depth & Togetherness: The Pacers’ Winning Formula

Indiana’s identity this season is built on depth, balance, and unselfish play.

Players like Obi Toppin and Bennedict Mathurin, both coming off the bench, have repeatedly stepped up. Toppin recently dropped 22 points against Denver, while Mathurin has logged six 20+ point games since early March.

A Team That Can Score From Anywhere

The Pacers rank 7th in the NBA with 117.5 points per game. Their offense is led by:

Veteran center Myles Turner put it best:

“Our strength is in our togetherness. Anybody at any time can go off for 20 points.”

Wizards Face Another Tough Ending

The Washington Wizards (17-61) are just trying to finish their season with some dignity, hoping to avoid back-to-back sub-20 win campaigns after going 15-67 last year — the worst in franchise history.

Scoring and Rebounding Struggles

The Wizards rank 27th in the league in scoring (108.3 PPG) and have failed to break 97 points in three of their last six losses. Their recent defeats include blowouts to Miami, Orlando, and Boston.

Even more alarming is their rebounding deficit. Washington gives up a league-high 48.8 boards per game and was outrebounded 62-32 in Boston.

Injuries Compound Issues

With big men Richaun Holmes and Tristan Vukcevic out, head coach Brian Keefe had no choice but to start a small lineup featuring three guards and one forward around rookie Alex Sarr.

“These are the guys we have,” Keefe said. “We expect everybody to go and do their job.”

While the youthful energy is commendable, the lack of size and scoring punch continues to hurt the Wizards.

Head-to-Head: Don’t Underestimate the Wizards

Despite Indiana’s 3-0 edge in the season series, Washington hasn’t made it easy. The Wizards pushed the Pacers to overtime in February (134-130) and were competitive in a 115-103 game last November.

In those games, Indiana’s bench players dominated, with Toppin scoring 31 and Mathurin 28 in one outing. These performances highlight Indiana’s unmatched depth and offensive firepower.

What to Watch For

• Indiana’s focus: Will the Pacers maintain their playoff intensity against a bottom-tier team?
• Wizards’ young core: Can Washington’s rookies make the most of their extended minutes?
• Rebounding battle: Will Indiana exploit Washington’s weakness on the boards?

Final Thoughts

This game may look lopsided on paper, but Indiana knows better than to underestimate a team with nothing to lose. For the Pacers, the focus is on finishing strong, maintaining rhythm, and locking in home-court advantage.

Meanwhile, the Wizards will look to compete, learn, and evaluate their young talent as they look toward the offseason.k to compete, learn, and evaluate their young talent as they look toward the offseason.