The Indiana Pacers visit the Philadelphia 76ers as the regular-season winds down for a 1 p.m. ET tip-off. The Pacers (25-55) are firmly a lottery pick for the first time in years, but they can still play spoiler as Philadelphia (49-31) sits a half-game back of the Eastern Conference’s third seed and 1 ½ games behind the second seed with two games to play.
That includes Saturday’s game against the Pacers and Sunday’s against another bottom-feeder in the Detroit Pistons, so it is possible for the 76ers — with some help — to move up in the Eastern Conference.
Indiana’s camp has had some rumors that were addressed this week regarding Rick Carlisle. He profoundly shut anything of a front-office move down by saying he’s committed to a rebuild and he likes their pieces.
The line opened at 76ers -13.5 with an over/under of 234. It has since moved to Philadelphia -14 with an over/under of 235 as of this writing.
Philadelphia 76ers Betting Preview: Gaining rhythm
The 76ers are comfortably locked into a playoff spot and need to continue to find their rhythm after adding James Harden in late February. His offensive acumen, both as a scorer and passer, gives their offense a needed lift alongside MVP candidate Joel Embiid.
The offense is still 20th, scoring 109.6 points per game, but is also fifth in 3-point percentage, converting 36.6% of attempts. Though some of the low scoring has to do with pace as they only give up 107.2 points per game, which is eighth. Their 3-point defense is also eighth, forcing teams to convert at a 34.5% clip.
The aforementioned Embiid is averaging 30.4 points and 11.6 rebounds per game with more than a steal and block as well. Harden is averaging 21.3 points, 10.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds across 20 games since his trade.
Indiana is 14th in scoring at 111.2 points per game and 25th in defense, allowing 114.5 points per game. The Pacers aren’t good in efficiency on either end.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview: Let the kids play
All of Indiana’s regulars who would make for a playoff-caliber team on paper are out for the season, including rookie Chris Duarte, Myles Turner, T.J. Warren, Ricky Rubio, and, essentially, Malcolm Brogdon, who has been listed out indefinitely for most of the season.
That gives other guys an opportunity, and the Pacers rewarded wing Terry Taylor and guard Duane Washington Jr. with guaranteed contracts beyond this season.
Indiana also acquired Tyrese Haliburton, who is averaging 17.4 points and 9.6 assists per game across 24 since being acquired by the Pacers. Indiana also has Buddy Hield from that trade.
Betting Prediction
A look at recent betting trends shows the Pacers are 7-2 against the spread over the last nine meetings. The over is 5-1 over the last six and 8-3 in the last 11 meetings in Philadelphia.
For the season, Indiana is 35-42-3 against the spread, 44-35-1 on over/unders, and 9-30 away from home. Philadelphia is 36-42-2 against the spread, 36-41-3 on over/unders, and 22-17 at home.
We’ll pick the 76ers to cover the 13.5 points, despite it being a large number. The talent gap is just too wide.
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