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Indiana Pacers (12-15 SU, 10-16 ATS) vs. Phoenix Suns (14-11 SU, 9-16 ATS)

When: Thursday, December 19th, 9:00 PM (ET)

Where: Footprint Center, AZ, Phoenix

TV: AZFa

Point Spread: Ind +6.5/Pho -6.5

Total: 235

Money Line: Indiana Pacers +209/-253

Notable Injuries

Pacers

• James Wiseman (Out) Achilles
• Aaron Nesmith (Out) Ankle
• Isaiah Jackson (Out) Achilles
• Ben Sheppard (Questionable) Oblique

Suns

• Bradley Beal (Probable) Knee
• Collin Gillespie (Out) Ankle

At 9:00 ET, the Pacers will travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns in a non-conference matchup. The Suns are currently favored by 6.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 235.

Phoenix is 14-11 and on a two-game win streak. They are 6th in the Western Conference and 1st in the Pacific Division. Indiana is 12-15 and also on a two-game win streak. They are 8th in the Eastern Conference and 3rd in the Central Division.

Recent Form

The Pacers improved to 12-15 on the season with a 119-104 win over the Pelicans on Sunday. Playing at home, Indiana entered the game as 7-point favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game were 223, falling short of the 230.5-point line.

Indiana took control early with a 12-0 run, turning an 8-3 deficit into a 15-8 lead. They dominated the 2nd quarter, outscoring New Orleans 28-14, and went into the 4th quarter with a 99-80 lead. The Pelicans edged the Pacers 24-20 in the final period, but Indiana’s strong start helped them secure the win.

The Suns improved to 14-11 on the season with a 116-109 win over the Trail Blazers on Sunday. Phoenix, who were favored by 11 points, didn’t cover the spread, but they did get the win at home. The total points for the game came in at 225, just under the 230.5-point line.

Portland went on a 10-0 run early, but Phoenix responded by outscoring them 33-21 in the 1st quarter. The Trail Blazers fought back, winning both the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but the Suns held a narrow 83-79 lead going into the 4th. Phoenix closed out the game by edging Portland 33-30 in the final quarter.

The Historicals

Across the previous 5 head-to-head meetings between the teams, both Indiana and Phoenix have an ATS record of 2-2-1. The Suns hold the edge in average point differential at +7 points per game. The over-under record in these same games is 1-4, with the teams combining for an average of 229 points per game.

Analysis

The Pacers shot 50.6% from the field and connected on 16 threes at a 42.1% rate in their win over the Pelicans. Pascal Siakam led the way with 22 points, while Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points and ten assists, hitting four threes at 50% efficiency.

Andrew Nembhard contributed 17 points, including 9 in the 3rd quarter. Siakam and Haliburton both scored 8 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters, with Haliburton adding eight more in the 1st.

Despite a rough 3rd quarter where they allowed 38 points, the Pacers’ defense held the Pelicans to just 104 points on 39% shooting. Indiana’s best defensive effort came in the 2nd quarter, where they gave up only 14 points.

The Pacers limited the Pelicans to 10 made threes on 30% shooting from deep. Indiana also recorded ten steals and nine blocks in the win.

Devin Booker led the Suns to a 116-109 win over the Trail Blazers, scoring 28 points and hitting four threes at a 50% clip. He poured in 12 points in the 3rd quarter, while Kevin Durant added 8 of his 20 points in the 4th.

Tyus Jones was a key contributor, hitting three threes without a miss and finishing with 19 points on 88.9% shooting. The Suns connected on 15 threes as a team, shooting 38.5% from deep and 48.3% overall.

The Suns’ defense shined in the 1st quarter, giving up just 21 points, but they allowed 30 points in both the 2nd and 4th quarters. Overall, they held the Trail Blazers to 109 points on 44% shooting.

Phoenix did well defending the three, with Portland hitting only 15 threes at a 30% clip. The Suns also sent the Blazers to the line 13 times, where they made ten free throws. Defensively, the Suns recorded seven steals and two blocks.

Betting Trends

• In their last three road games, Indiana has averaged 114 points per game while allowing 109. The team’s record in this stretch was 2-1 while going 2-1 vs. the spread.
• In their last three games at home, the Suns have a straight-up record of 1-2 while going 1-2 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 118 points per game in these contests.
• The last ten games that Indiana was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 4-6 straight up.
• Across their last three matchups as the betting favorite, the Suns have an overall record of 2-1 while going 1-2 against the spread.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

The Pacers head into this one, still dealing with some injuries, and are in a tie for 8th in the Eastern Conference. This is not where Indiana expected to be in mid-December, and have a tough one tonight vs the Suns. Currently, they are +6.5 point underdogs. However, the way I’m playing this non-conference matchup is to take the over at 235. I don’t see a lot of defense being played tonight, but I think this is one of the best bets of the night.