The Phoenix Suns (18-25) square off against the Indiana Pacers (28-16) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, and will air on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana.
Indiana opened as a 1-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 222.5 points at PointsBet Sportsbook.
Indiana Pacers at Phoenix Suns Betting Prediction
The Pacers failed to cover as 8-point underdogs in their 118-88 loss to the Utah Jazz in their last game. The game’s total points (206) came in under the O/U total of 216. Making free throws was one of Utah’s largest advantages. They were 12-12 (100.0 percent), while the Pacers were just 3-7 (42.9 percent). Indiana’s Myles Turner had a solid outing, putting up 12 points, six steals and five rebounds.
In the Suns’ last game, they let one slip away to the San Antonio Spurs, 120-118, despite being 5-point favorites. The game’s combined points (238) came in over the projected point total of 230. San Antonio’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Phoenix. The Spurs posted a mark of 7.6 (stronger than their season average of 11.2), while the Suns had a rate of 13.1. Phoenix’s Deandre Ayton contributed 25 points and 12 rebounds in the game.
After the Pacers won both contests against the Suns last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent game, Indiana won 131-97. The Pacers made 27 of their 36 free throws (75.0 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (11.8 vs. 15.6).
Indiana comes into the contest with records of 28-16 straight up (SU) and 23-19-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is highly precise when setting the O/U total of Pacers games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Phoenix owns records of 18-25 SU and 22-20-1 ATS. Vegas tends to set the total low when the Suns are involved, as 55.8 percent of their games have finished over the projected point total.
Ball security could play a significant role in this contest. Indiana commits the fifth-fewest miscues in the NBA (turnover percentage of 12.4 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Phoenix forces the fourth-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 14.6 percent).
Indiana Pacers at Phoenix Suns Odds Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Suns, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Indiana is 12-10 ATS on the road with 11 overs and 11 unders.
Phoenix is 10-13-1 ATS at home with 15 overs and 9 unders.
In games where they allow less than 100 points, Phoenix is 5-2 and Indiana is 8-1.
When reaching the century mark, the Suns are 17-21 and the Pacers are 28-9.
Indiana ranks 11th in blocks per game (5.2) while Phoenix ranks 28th (3.8).
The Suns rank fifth in points off turnovers per game (18.4) while the Pacers rank 22nd (16.3).
Indiana ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.5) while Phoenix ranks 16th (7.9).
The Suns rank 18th in three pointers attempted per game (32.7) while the Pacers rank last (27.5).
Indiana ranks 13th in points in the paint per game (48.1) while Phoenix ranks 22nd in points allowed in the paint per game (49.3).
The Pacers average 25.9 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. The Suns rank 14th in assists allowed per game (23.8).
Phoenix ranks fourth in fast break points allowed per game (11.9) while Indiana ranks eighth (12.1).
The Suns are 25th in the league with 12.1 second chance points per game while the Pacers are 26th with 11.9 second chance points per game.
In its last five outings, Indiana is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Phoenix is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Pacers have been outscored by an average of 1.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Indiana has defeated opponents by an average of 2.5 points.
During their last five games, the Suns have scored an average of 114.4 points per game (0.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 110.4 points per game (3.7 below their season average).
