With a smaller five-game slate today before the final group stage games of the in-season tournament, a lot of the focus is on tomorrow but there is still value in this slate. Indiana’s success has been one of the fun stories of the early season and the books have had issues setting their lines high enough. Pacer games have gone over the game total all but once this season, however, the focus today is more nuanced.
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Blazers vs. Pacers Betting Odds
| Blazers | Pacers | |
| Spread | +13 | -13 |
| Moneyline | +550 | -720 |
| Total | o239.5 | u240 |
*lines accurate at the time of publication
Blazers vs. Pacers Best Bets
Pacers TT o126.5 (-110, FanDuel)
Indiana has scored 126 or more in eight of their last nine games and averaged 134.4 in those games. They bring that firepower up against a Blazers team that is undermanned, is sporting the 20th-best defense over the last two weeks, and is on the second night of a back-to-back.
While usually a blowout would be a reason to worry the pedal would be taken off the gas and a possible garbage time under would happen, that has not been the way the Pacers have rolled this year. In games against teams that were projected to be in the bottom of the league this year (Washington, Charlotte, San Antonio, Utah, and Detroit) the Pacers went over this total four of five times and averaged 137.8. With Indiana playing as fast as they do, with the best offensive efficiency in the league, getting this over in range should not be an issue.
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For a bottom-feeder, Portland ranking 20th in defensive rating is not terrible but it is how they accomplish it that should not be as effective against Indiana. The Blazers are bottom six in all of the four factors except for forcing turnovers at the fourth-best rate in the last two weeks. Living off turnovers works against most opponents but the Pacers, even at their blistering pace, are turning the ball over at the third-lowest rate in the league. It makes sense with Tyrese Haliburton handling the ball as much as he does and the various ball-handlers Indiana has. If not able to get turnovers, how are the Blazers going to limit the Pacers’ offense?
The Pacers have an offense with such a high floor and are on an extra day of rest against an inferior opponent that is on the second night of a back-to-back. All signs point to the Pacers being able to hold up their end of the scoring bargain even if the Blazers are not able to get the full game to that point.
Risk 1.1 units on FanDuel to win 1 unit.
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