Tune-In Tidbits: Eastern Conference Play-In, TNT Thursday, May 20, 2021
Bradley Beal scored 50 points in Washington’s win over Indiana on May 8.
(9) Pacers at (8) Wizards
8 p.m. ET, TNT
• The Wizards swept the season series with the Pacers, averaging 139.7 points per game over three games. The 139.7 ppg was not only the most points the Pacers allowed to any team this season, it was also the most points the Wizards averaged against any opponent by more than 10 ppg.
• Russell Westbrook has put up spectacular numbers against the Pacers this season. In three games, he has averaged 27.3 ppg, 18 rpg and 20 apg. Between the points he scored (27.3) and the points he created with his assists (47.3), Westbrook was directly involved in 74.6 (53.4%) of Washington’s 139.7 points per game against the Pacers. Westbrook has recorded a triple-double in all three games against the Pacers this season, bringing his career total to 10 — the most he’s had against any opponent on his record run of 184 triple-doubles.
• The Wizards (104.67) and Pacers (102.05) played at the fastest and fourth-fastest pace, respectively, during the regular season. The Pacers were second in fast break points (16.6 per game), while the Wizards were one of the best at preventing fast break points, allowing just 10.7 per game (fourth-lowest in the league).
• Bradley Beal, who finished as the runner-up for the scoring title with a career-best 31.3 points per game, scored 50 the last time the Wizards and Pacers met on May 8. There were 14 50-point games in the NBA this season and Beal is one of three players with multiple 50-point performances. Stephen Curry (three) and Jayson Tatum (two in regular season, one in Play-In) were the others with as many such games.
• With his 14-point, 21-rebound, nine-assist performance in Indiana’s win against Charlotte in the opening game of the Play-In Tournament, Domantas Sabonis continued his incredible stretch during the month of May. Through 10 games (regular season and Play-In), Sabonis is averaging 22.1 ppg, 14.8 rpg and 10.5 apg while shooting 60.6% from the field and 40% from 3-point range.
