A pair of scuffling teams looking to end losing streaks will meet on Sunday when the Indiana Pacers host the Washington Wizards.
On the heels of their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2014, the Pacers are in an early-season slump, as they’ve dropped three games in a row and five of six.
Life on the road has been unkind to Indiana, which has started the season 2-8 away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pacers, who begin a four-game homestand on Sunday, are coming off an 0-3 road trip, most recently falling to the Milwaukee Bucks 129-117 on Friday.
Pascal Siakam’s 25 points and Bennedict Mathurin’s 20 weren’t enough, as Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a triple-double with 37 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for the Bucks, who never trailed.
“I thought it was one of our most competitive games,” Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle said. “We were up against it a lot of the night in terms of the scoring deficit, but the guys really were together. They kept fighting. We made some great runs in the second half, and it’s something to build on, as tough as it’s been. The important thing now is to keep working on our health and to have a big week back at home.”
Indiana’s barrage of early-season injuries include forward Isaiah Jackson and center James Wiseman’s season-ending Achilles tears. Aaron Nesmith (ankle), who averages 9.2 points per game, Andrew Nembhard (knee), who chips in 7.3, and Ben Sheppard (oblique), who adds 5.8, are all out for the Pacers.
Siakam’s 20.8 points per game lead the Pacers, followed by Mathurin’s 18.9.
Unlike Indiana, the Wizards entered the year projected to struggle mightily again. A season ago, Washington slugged through a franchise-worst 15-67 campaign. Through 14 games this season, the team is trending toward the league’s basement again.
On a 10-game losing streak, the Wizards haven’t won since Oct. 30, a 133-120 home victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Last time out, Washington battled as a major underdog with the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics, before ultimately falling at home Friday, 108-96.
The Wizards led by two at halftime and trailed by just four points with three minutes left. Jordan Poole led the way with 23 points, followed by Kyle Kuzma’s 21.
“Our guys, like I thought they would, came out and brought it,” Washington head coach Brian Keefe said. “We were physical, we were committed, we tried to contest everything tonight, and I think I showed what we’re capable of. That was a good step forward for our team, but we’ve got to get back to work tomorrow.”
The Wizards held Boston to just 42.4 percent shooting from the field (36 of 85) and just a 23.9 percent mark (11 of 46) on 3-pointers. Friday was a sign of improvement from a Washington team that has allowed a league-high 123.5 points per game.
“I thought our defense was a lot better tonight,” Keefe said. “You have to give Boston credit, they hit some tough shots, but our guys really showed their character.”
Poole’s 21.2 points per game pace Washington, while Kuzma chips in 17.4.
