Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers.

Eastern Conference bottom-feeders collide on Sunday afternoon, as the Indiana Pacers host the Washington Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Wizards (3–20, 15th Eastern Conference) have dropped four straight games — capped by a Friday home loss to the Cavaliers — and now hold the league’s worst record. The Pacers (6–19, 14th East) have won four of their last seven but aim to rebound from a Friday road loss to the 76ers. 

The squads first met on Nov. 28 in Indiana, where the Pacers coasted to a 119–86 victory behind a 24-point double-double from Pascal Siakam.

Here’s a look at the Injury Report:

Washington Wizards

Out: Malaki Branham (Thumb), Bilal Coulibably (Oblique), Corey Kispert (Thumb), Khris Middleton (Knee), Alex Sarr (Adductor)

Indiana Pacers

Out: Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Aaron Nesmith (Knee), Ben Sheppard (Calf), Obi Toppin (Foot)

Questionable: Andrew Nembhard (Calf)

Doubtful: Kam Jones (G League Assignment)

Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. ET. Indiana enters as an 8.5-point home favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Washington is listed as a +285 underdog. The game’s total is set at 233.5 points.

Wizards vs. Pacers Preview

Washington Wizards Preview

It keeps getting worse for the Eastern Conference’s perennial punching bag. The Wizards trudge into Sunday’s contest without standout big man Alex Sarr, who has been sidelined since the team’s last trip to Indiana on Nov. 28. Without its sophomore seven-footer, who leads the team with 19.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, Washington’s already underwhelming roster — which ranks dead last in defensive and net rating — borders on a JV team. 

The Wizards have gone 1–4 since Sarr’s sidelining, largely depending on veteran guard CJ McCollum, who’s leading the team with 23 points per game during that stretch. The big man platoon of Marvin Bagley III and Tristan Vukcevic has stepped up in Sarr’s absence, but there just hasn’t been much to get excited about on either end of the floor. Washington’s plus-minus over its last five sits at an NBA-worst negative 16. 

Indiana Pacers Preview

While nowhere near their previous NBA Finals form, the Pacers have shown signs of life by winning four of their last seven games — a trend that began with the 33-point drubbing of the Wizards last month. 

Since Nov. 28, Indiana has flashed a far more cohesive offense with a top-ten defense in the league, producing a solid 11th-ranked net rating. Catalyzing Indiana’s attack is Pascal Siakam, who’s averaging 24.3 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and 1.2 steals per contest. Meanwhile, Bennedict Mathurin has been a solid No. 2 with 20.4 points and 5.6 boards a night. 

Wizards vs. Pacers Pick, Best Bet

Yes, the Wizards and Pacers are stuck next to each other at the bottom of the standings. But while Washington continues to spiral, Indiana has seemingly broken its fall. The Pacers are playing much better basketball lately, and have already crushed the Wizards with their star big man. 

With Alex Sarr on the sidelines, count on the Pacers to capture their fifth win in eight games in convincing fashion.

Best Bet: Indiana Pacers -8.5 Points (-105)