The work of an NBA general manager is never done. The 6–19 Indiana Pacers appear lottery-bound as they host the 3–20 Washington Wizards today at 3 PM Eastern. I

When Indiana named Boston Celtics icon Larry Bird its new head coach for the 1997-98 season, the team was elated. They knew of Bird’s chops as a player, as he knew how to win, and the players were confident Larry Legend would change the culture for the better.

The Indiana Pacers lost to the Washington Wizards 108-89 in what coach Rick Carlisle called an "unacceptable" performance. Carlisle noted bad signs just 77 seconds into the game, calling an early timeout due to a lack of energy and aggression.

But Indiana is playing better ball, winning four of six before being stopped last game by the 76ers 115-105. This is certainly a gettable one against a Washington Wizards team in a full-scale teardown. The Pacers stomped them out in the first meeting, a 119-86 beatdown.

The Pacers have lost two straight and fell to 6-20 overall. The Wizards, still owners of the Eastern Conference's worst record and the second-worst mark in the NBA, improved to 4-21.

NBA rumors reveal the Indiana Pacers have reportedly checked in with the Los Angeles Clippers on center Ivica Zubac.

Over the last 10 games, the Pacers rank sixth in defensive rating at 111.4, and the Sixers rank seventh at 111.5. In that span, Indiana ranks 17th in offensive rating at 114.5, and Philadelphia ranks 25th in offensive rating at 110. The Pacers are 18th in points per game at 114.5, while the Sixers are 17th at 114.8.

INDIANAPOLIS — Marvin Bagley III scored a season-high 23 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and CJ McCollum scored 18 points on Sunday as the Washington Wizards beat the Indiana Pacers 108-89 for their first road win in nearly two months.