Pacers potential playoff opponents preview: Washington Wizards

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 17: Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) scores against Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) on March 17, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The Washington Wizards defeated the Indiana Pacers, 109-102. (Photo by Icon Sportswire)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 17: Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) scores against Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) on March 17, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The Washington Wizards defeated the Indiana Pacers, 109-102. (Photo by Icon Sportswire) /
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Nate McMillan Scott Brooks Pacers Wizards
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 28: Head coach Nate McMillan of the Indiana Pacers looks on against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Verizon Center on December 28, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

COACH

Match up: Wizards: Scott Brooks v Pacers: Nate McMillan

Advantage: Pacers

Analysis: Neither is Gregg Popovich or Bobby Knight, but McMillan has his charges firing much better than Brooks does. Since those horrendously embarrassing back-to-back defeats to the Mavericks and Hawks in late February, Indy has won 12 of 17. Washington has been much, much cooler. On February 22 the Wizards beat the Cavaliers, moving a half-game behind Cleveland for third place in the East. The Wiz have since gone on the opposite of a tear (the bad kind) losing 12 of their last 20. Brooks needs to find a way to integrate Wall back into the lineup, and do it quickly. McMillan needs to help his team execute those out-of-bounds plays better. No matter what, McMillan’s team is playing better. He had the edge here.