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Wizards vs. Pacers preview: Washington faces Indiana in first home game

This new Wizards team could be really fun to watch this season.

Washington Wizards v New York Knicks Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images

Game Info

When: Friday, October 22 at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

How to watch: NBC Sports Washington

How to Listen: The Team 980 AM/106.7-2 FM

Injury Report

Wizards: Cassius Winston (Hamstring, Day-to-day); Rui Hachimura (Non-Injury Related, Out); Thomas Bryant (Knee, Out)

Pacers: Kelean Martin (Hamstring, Day-to-day); Caris LeVert (Back, Out); T.J. Warren (Foot, Out)

Pregame Notes

The Washington Wizards (1-0) are playing the Indiana Pacers (0-1) in their first home game of the season on Friday. After beating the Toronto Raptors on the road Wednesday, the Wizards should feel pretty good in the way they were able to come together, with so many new faces, and secure a win. It’s also nice to feel like Bradley Beal didn’t have to do things all by himself. He finished with 23 points despite having an off-shooting night (36.8 percent from the field). Montrezl Harrell, who came off the bench, and Spencer Dinwiddie followed with 22 and 13 points respectively. If the first game was any indication of how the season might go, it could be a fun one ahead.

It was only the first game of the seaso,n but there are plenty of things the team will have to work on and adjust going forward. Two things that stood out against the Raptors was their 3-point shooting percentage and turnovers. The Wizards, who were up by as much as 29 points during Wednesday game against Toronto, struggled from beyond the arc, making just 5-of-27 attempts (18.5 percent). Overall, the team shot 44 percent from the field. Additionally, they turned the ball over 21 times. While it’s not unlikely for a team with many new additions, the Wizards will have to take time to learn each other and tendencies as the season goes on.

Looking ahead to Friday’s game, the Wizards should keep their eyes on Domantas Sabonis, who put up a double-double (33 points and 15 rebounds) in the Pacers’ season opener, where they lost by just 1 point. Malcolm Brogdon added 28 points and rookie Chris Duarte came out strong with an impressive 27 points in his debut.

The Wizards will play their first home game with a win under their belt so hopefully fans welcome this new team accordingly.