The Indiana Pacers (21-12) look to continue their five-game home winning streak in a matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers (23-12) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game starts at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 31, 2019, and will air on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 211.5 points with Philadelphia set as a 1-point favorite.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana Pacers ATS Prediction
In the 76ers’ last outing, they were beaten by the Miami Heat, 117-116, but they were able to cover as 1.5-point underdogs. The game’s total points (233) were well over the O/U total of 213.5. Miami’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Philadelphia. The Heat had a rate of 7.0 (better than their season average of 13.9), while the 76ers posted a mark of 8.1. Joel Embiid was the top scorer from either team with 35 points on 11-for-16 shooting.
The Pacers got blown out by the New Orleans Pelicans in their last game, 120-98. They failed to cover as 2-point underdogs. The game’s total points (218) finished just over the O/U total of 217.5. New Orleans’ turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Indiana. The Pelicans posted a mark of 10.5 (better than their season average of 13.2), while the Pacers had a rate of 15.5 (above their season average of 11.4). Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis contributed 15 points and 16 rebounds in the game.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Embiid scored a game-high 32 points and the 76ers beat the Pacers 119-116 but were not able to cover as 6.5-point favorites. He also recorded 11 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 235 points, which was 28.5 points above the projected point total of 206.5 points. The 76ers had a much better turnover percentage (11.4 vs. 17.9) and had a much better free throw rate (0.416 vs. 0.276).
Philadelphia heads into the contest with records of 23-12 straight up (SU) and 17-15-3 against the spread (ATS). Of the 76ers’ 35 games, 18 have finished over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Indiana is 21-12 SU and 17-14-2 ATS. In opposition of Philadelphia, Pacers games have finished under the total 54.5 percent of the time.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Ben Simmons (14 points,11.4 assists,8.6 rebounds,2.8 steals) has been fantastic for the 76ers while Aaron Holiday (14 points,6.0 assists) has made solid contributions to the Pacers.
It could be a tough matchup for Indiana on the offensive glass. The Pacers rank 26th in offensive rebounding percentage (21.2 percent), while Philadelphia ranks first in defensive rebounding percentage (81.6 percent).
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana Pacers Free Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – 76ers, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
On the road, Philadelphia is 8-8-1 ATS with 9 overs, 7 unders and 1 push.
At home, Indiana is 9-6-2 ATS with 9 unders and 8 overs.
When holding opponents under 100 points, Philadelphia is 10-1 and Indiana is 5-1.
The Pacers are 21-6 when they score above 100 points, while the 76ers are 20-6.
Philadelphia ranks third in steals per game (8.6) while Indiana ranks 24th (6.9).
The 76ers rank second in second chance points allowed per game (11.1) while the Pacers rank 23rd (13.9).
Philadelphia ranks first in rebounds allowed per game (40.4) while Indiana ranks 14th (45.3).
The 76ers rank third in blocks allowed per game (4.0) while the Pacers rank 15th (5.0).
Philadelphia ranks third in assists allowed per game (21.6) while Indiana ranks 10th (23.4).
The 76ers rank first in three pointers allowed per game (27.5) while the Pacers rank seventh (32.6).
Philadelphia averages 47.6 points in the paint per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA. Indiana ranks 17th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.3).
In its last five contests, Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Indiana is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The 76ers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.6, up from 4.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 107.6 points per game (1.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 114.0 points per game (8.3 above their season average).
