Pacers vs. Wizards: Game thread, lineups, odds, TV info and more

The Pacers and Wizards continue their season series on Friday night at the Verizon Center in D.C. with both teams playing better than when they split a home-and-home series in December.

The teams split those games with both winning on their home floor. After fighting around .500 and trying to remain in the playoff mix back in December, both teams have surged up the standings with the Wizards in particular catching fire in January to where they are now ten games over .500 and in third place in the East.

The Pacers rode a recent seven-game winning streak to move into the middle of the East standings, now six games over .500 after losing their last game to Cleveland. In fact, both teams are playing so well, ESPN will broadcast it to a national audience.

Jeff Teague has been a big reason for the Pacers positive push, but will once again have his hands full with John Wall who has taken his game to another level while leading the surging Wiz. But Wall is getting more help these days with a healthy Bradley Beal and the emergence of forward Otto Porter to keep the buckets flowing.

The Pacers were able to find some defensive traction during their winning streak and will need to return to that mindset after falling to the Cavs on Wednesday. If not, the Wiz are capable of running the Pacers out of the gym.

Thaddeus Young (left wrist) is questionable although Nate McMillan expected him to be out when he spoke with the media on Thursday. For the Wizards, Markieff Morris (calf) is also questionable after missing the team’s last game in Brooklyn.

For more on the Wizards, check out Bullets Forever. Also, add your thoughts and observations about the game in the comments.

Pacers vs. Wizards - 8:00 p.m. ET at Verizon Center

TV: ESPN/FOX Sports Indiana

Odds: Bovada has the Wizards at -5 favorites

Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan

Projected Starting Lineups

Pacers: Jeff Teague (PG), Paul George (SG), C.J. Miles (SF), Lavoy Allen (PF), Myles Turner (C)

Wizards: John Wall (PG), Bradley Beal (SG), Kelly Oubre (SF), Otto Porter (PF), Marcin Gortat (C)