Pacers vs. 76ers Prediction
Two of the best in the Eastern Conference meet up tonight when the Philadelphia 76ers play host to the Indiana Pacers at 7:30PM ET. Which team has the edge in this matchup?
573 Indiana Pacers at 574 Philadelphia 76ers
Friday, December 14, 2018
7:30PM ET – Wells Fargo Center
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the 76ers are the slight favorite in this game, as they are getting odds of -4 points against the Pacers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 218.5 points. The public betting currently has 70 percent going on the 76ers as the home favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Pacers keep winning
Despite not being at full strength, Indiana has won five straight games and covered in its last four coming into tonight. The Pacers are 18-10 on the season, 8-6 on the road, 15-13 against the spread and 17-11 with the under.
Indiana has the league’s best defense, allowing just 101.3 points per game this season. They are giving up only 44 percent shooting as well. On offense, Indiana averages just 106.4 points per game despite shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from the arc. Victor Oladipo returned to the team on Wednesday. He is averaging 20.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this year. Domantas Sabonis is adding 14.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
76ers coming off loss
Philly is coming off a surprising 127-124 loss at home to Brooklyn on Wednesday, but the 76ers have still won six of their last eight games, covering the spread in five of their last seven. Philadelphia is now 19-10 on the season, 14-2 at home, 13-16 against the spread and 17-12 with the over.
The 76ers are putting up 114.2 points per game on offense this season and shooting 46.5 percent from the field. Defensively, the 76ers are giving up 112 points per contest while allowing opponents to shoot just 44.4 percent. The 76ers could be without Jimmy Butler tonight. He is questionable with a groin injury. Butler has been averaging 19.8 points per game as a 76er. Joel Embiid leads the team with 26.5 points and 13.3 rebounds per game while Ben Simmons adds 15.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.9 assists per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Indiana
The Pacers have covered the spread in 10 of their last 14 Friday games and in 27 of their last 39 conference games.
Philadelphia
The 76ers are 19-7 against the spread in their last 26 Friday games and 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
Prediction:
Philadelphia won the first meeting this season at Indiana back on Nov. 7. While the Pacers have been on a nice hot streak and have Oladipo back, the win streak has been largely at home and largely against average NBA teams. The win over the Bucks was a big deal, but we haven’t seen if this Indy defense can win big games on the road. The 76ers are very strong at home. Even without Butler, this is still a very good team. I will take my chances on the powerful offense at home over the strong defense on the road.
NBA Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers -4