The Indiana Pacers (41-31) take on the Los Angeles Clippers (38-33) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game will air on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, March 23, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 218.5 points with Indiana set as a 2.5-point favorite.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Indiana Pacers ATS Prediction
The Clippers will be looking for a similar result after beating the Milwaukee Bucks in their last contest, 127-120. The Clippers knocked down 22 of their 29 free throws (75.9 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 39.0 (above their season average of 23.0). Los Angeles was led by DeAndre Jordan, who was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting.
The last time the Pacers played, they fell to the New Orleans Pelicans, 96-92. New Orleans’ free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Indiana. The Pelicans had a rate of 0.253 (above their season average of 0.186), while the Pacers posted a mark of 0.183. With 21 points on 7-for-16 shooting, Victor Oladipo led Indiana in scoring.
Los Angeles could struggle to create turnovers. Indiana ranks sixth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.2 percent), while Los Angeles forces the 16th-most turnovers (13.8 percent).
Los Angeles heads into the game with records of 38-33 straight up (SU) and 38-32-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Clippers’ 71 games, 39 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Indiana is 41-31 SU and 40-32 ATS. Games featuring the Pacers have typically gone under the total (59.7 percent).
Austin Rivers has averaged 16.2 points and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Los Angeles.
After the Pacers won both contests against the Clippers last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent contest, Indiana won 111-102. The Pacers had a much better turnover percentage (8.7 vs. 17.6) and had a much better free throw rate (0.354 vs. 0.247).
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Indiana Pacers Odds Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Los Angeles is 22-13-1 ATS with 19 overs and 17 unders.
Indiana is 21-16 ATS at home with 22 unders, 14 overs and 1 push.
Indiana is 25-3 when they allow under 100 points, while Los Angeles is 11-2.
When scoring above 100 points, the Clippers are 36-22 and the Pacers are 33-15.
Indiana ranks fourth in fast break points per game (14.8) while Los Angeles ranks last in fast break points allowed per game (15.2).
The Pacers rank second in steals per game (8.8) while the Clippers rank 25th in steals allowed per game (8.5).
Indiana averages 18.4 points off turnovers per game, which ranks second in the league. Los Angeles ranks 19th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.3).
The Clippers rank fifth in second chance points per game (13.6) while the Pacers rank 19th (11.9).
Los Angeles ranks third in points in the paint per game (51.4) while Indiana ranks 15th in points allowed in the paint per game (44.6).
The Clippers average 4.7 blocks per game, which ranks 15th in the league. The Pacers rank 24th in blocks allowed per game (5.2).
Los Angeles ranks 19th in three pointers attempted per game (27.9) while Indiana ranks 26th (24.4).
The Clippers rank 14th in rebounds per game (44.0) while the Pacers rank 16th in rebounds allowed per game (43.1).
Indiana averages 21.9 assists per game, which ranks 22nd in the league. Los Angeles ranks 23rd in assists allowed per game (24.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Los Angeles is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Indiana is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Clippers have been outscored by an average of 6.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Los Angeles has defeated opponents by an average of 0.8 points.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 100.8 points per game (4.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 101.8 points per game (2.4 below their season average).
*****
