Tip-off: Tuesday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Indiana -9.5, Total: 192.0

The Pacers look to secure the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a home victory over the Wizards on Tuesday.

The Wizards have gotten themselves back on track lately, defeating the Hawks 108-99 as 9-point home favorites on Sunday for their fifth SU win in their past six games. The Pacers, meanwhile, have now won five straight games SU after a 116-104 home victory over the Thunder on Sunday. Indiana has covered in four of its past five and this team will be extra hungry with the last spot in the playoffs there for the taking. These teams have met three times this season and the Wizards are 2-1 SU but just 1-2 ATS. Over the past three seasons, the Pacers are 5-3 SU but just 2-6 ATS when hosting the Wizards. Washington is 15-4 ATS in road games when playing four or less games in 10 days over the past three seasons. Indiana, however, is 13-5 ATS in home games in the second half of the season this season. SG Garrett Temple (Hamstring) is out indefinitely for the Wizards and PG C.J. Watson (Elbow) and SF Chris Copeland (Abdominal) are out indefinitely for the Pacers.

Can the Hornets earn a big road victory in Los Angeles on Tuesday? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. In terms of Best Bets, the experts have a huge 60% ATS (217-143-4) record since Jan. 2, led by StatFox Brian who has a lofty 60% ATS (29-19-1) mark in Best Bets since Feb. 4, and is now 57% ATS (68-51-1) in season Best Bets. StatFox Gary has a strong 57% ATS (41-31-1) mark in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 1, and is 56% ATS (66-53-1) this season. StatFox Scott is also sizzling with a 60% ATS record (47-32-1) in Best Bets since Dec. 21, improving his record to 56% ATS (66-53-1) for the season. StatFox Zach is a scorching 65% ATS (47-25-1) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 2 to sit at 53% ATS (63-55-2) for the season, while StatFox Dave is a robust 65% ATS (35-19) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 28 and 53% ATS (63-56-1) for the season.

The Wizards have been playing very well and will need to keep it up going into the postseason. PG John Wall (17.6 PPG, 10.0 APG, 4.7 RPG, 1.7 SPG) had 24 points, nine assists, four rebounds and two steals in his return from an ankle injury last game. He did, however, have 10 turnovers and must limit his mistakes against the Pacers on Tuesday. SG Bradley Beal (15.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.2 SPG) has caught fire for Washington recently, averaging 20.0 PPG over the past five contests. He continues to be a lethal outside shooter (42% 3PT) and just needs to add some consistency to his game. C Marcin Gortat (12.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.4 BPG) is going to have to come into this one ready to play. Over the past three games, Gortat is averaging 18.0 PPG and 10.7 RPG. He has also blocked seven shots in those contests. He will be going up against Roy Hibbert in this contest and must play well or the Wizards will struggle to win. He’s averaging 14.0 PPG and 8.0 RPG on 60.7% shooting in three meetings with Indiana this season.

The Pacers have won five straight games and the return of SF Paul George (10.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.0 SPG) has really given this team a boost of hope. George is only playing 14.5 MPG since returning, but he is playing well in his limited minutes and the team just looks energized with him back in the lineup. PG George Hill (15.8 PPG, 5.0 APG, 4.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG) had 29 points, nine assists and seven rebounds the last time he faced the Wizards. Hill kept the Pacers afloat with George out this season and he will need to hold his own against John Wall on Tuesday. PF David West (11.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.4 APG) had 13 points in 23 minutes against the Thunder last game. He was hitting his shots (6-for-8 FG) and must provide some toughness in this game. C Roy Hibbert (10.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.6 BPG) had 17 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks against the Thunder last game. Hibbert has really struggled against Washington though, averaging just 2.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 2.0 BPG in 20.0 MPG in three meetings with the team. He will need to find a way to score against the Wizards on Tuesday or it will be tough for the Pacers to win this game.