Wizards vs. Pacers for the honor of facing the Sixers in Round 1 Open Thread

We know the Philadelphia 76ers will be playing Game 1 of the first round at 1:00pm on Sunday. We don’t yet know who they’ll be playing. That opponent will be decided tonight, as the Indiana Pacers travel to Washington to take on the Wizards. The winner will be in the Wells Fargo Center Sunday afternoon to compete in front of the rabid Sixers faithful.

Washington Wizards vs. Indiana Pacers - 8:00pm ET (TNT)

The Pacers have half their roster injured and have reportedly be in open revolt against the coaching staff, with Nate Bjorkgren’s days firmly numbered. Indiana also lost Caris LeVert due to health and safety protocols prior to Tuesday night’s 9 vs. 10 game against Charlotte. So naturally, the Pacers absolutely smacked the Hornets, 144-117. All five starters and eight Pacers total scored in double figures, led by second-year forward Oshae Brissett’s 23 points, who has really come on of late with Myles Turner sidelined. Four different Indiana starters hit at least three 3s, and the team shot 16-of-35 overall from behind the arc.

Washington could have secured a first-round meeting with Brooklyn with a win Tuesday, but the Wizards fell victim to a 50-point explosion by Jayson Tatum in a 118-100 Boston victory. Washington’s star guard duo, Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook, combined to shoot just 16-of-43 from the field, including 1-of-10 from 3. The Wizards get one final chance at redemption in tonight’s win-or-go-home game.

The Sixers were 3-0 against Washington and 2-1 against Indiana this season. The lone loss to the Pacers came less than two weeks ago with Joel Embiid sidelined due to illness. Neither potential opponent particularly worries me in terms of the Sixers’ chances in the first round, but if I had my druthers, I’d like to avoid Bradley Beal, who put up 60 points against Philadelphia back in January.

Who are you hoping comes out on top tonight?