Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets Betting Predictions for Dec 26, 2023

Indiana Pacers (14-14 SU, 14-14 ATS) vs. Houston Rockets (15-12 SU, 18-8 ATS)

When: Tuesday, December 26th, 8:00 PM (ET)

Where: Toyota Center, TX, Houston

TV: NBA

Point Spread: Ind +3.5/Hou -3.5

Total: 238

Money Line: Indiana Pacers +130/-158

Notable Injuries

Pacers

• Bruce Brown (Questionable) Knee

Rockets

• Victor Oladipo (Out) Knee
• Reggie Bullock (Questionable) Illness
• Tari Eason (Questionable) Lower Leg

Recent Form

With a 14-14 record, the Pacers are looking to get above .500 with a win against the Rockets. In road games, the Pacers have gone 6-7 compared to their 8-7 record at home.

As the Rockets take on the Pacers, they aim to stay above .500, which they currently are at 15-12. On the road, the Rockets are 3-10 this season compared to their 12-2 record at home.

The Historicals

Over the last 5 head to head meetings, the Pacers have averaged 120 points per game compared to 112 for Houston. This has led to an ATS record of 3-2 for Indiana. In these contests, they averaged a combined 232 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 3-2.

Analysis

The Pacers’ offense recently wrapped up a game with a total of 110 points against the Magic. In that game, they made 15/34 three-point attempts and achieved a field goal percentage of 52.4%. Tyrese Haliburton is the current leading scorer for the team, with an average of 24.5 as they approach today’s matchup. In addition, Myles Turner brings a PPG average of 17.1 into the game.

Coming into today’s game, the Pacers’ defense is giving up an average of 125.8 points per contest.

On two-point field goal attempts, the Pacers’ defensive unit is allowing a field goal percentage of 56.2% and allowing 39.3% from beyond the arc.

In their recent matchup, the Rockets’ offense ended with 106 points against the Pelicans. They finished with an overall field goal percentage of 42.7% and made nine threes. Alperen Sengün led the scoring for the Rockets, contributing 37 points. Additionally, Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in with 26 points.

At present, the Rockets’ defense is ranked 2, allowing 107.7 points per game.

When it comes to forced turnovers, the Rockets are forcing 12.6 per game, which is 10th in the league. They also come into the game sitting 25th in blocked shots at 4.3 per game.

Betting Trends

• Across their three previous road games, Indiana has an ATS mark of 0-3. Their straight-up record in these matchups was 0-3 while averaging 111 points per game.
• Although Houston has a straight-up record of 3-7 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 5-4-1. The team averaged 112 points per game in these games.
• The last ten games that Indiana was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 5-5 straight up.
• As the betting favorite, the Rockets have an ATS record of 2-1 in their last three games. In these matchups, their straight-up record was 2-1.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

My favorite play for this Pacers vs. Rockets matchup is on the over/under line, as I see the total sitting too high at 238 points. Even though Indiana loves to get up and down the court, I see them struggling against Houston’ second ranked defense. I like the under under 238.