It will be a battle between Central Division opponents when the Indiana Pacers (16-12) welcome the Detroit Pistons (15-13) to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game will air on Fox Sports Detroit Plus at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 15, 2017.
Indiana is a 4.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 209 points.
Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers Free Prediction
The Pistons will be hoping for similar success after defeating the Atlanta Hawks in their last contest, 105-91. Detroit’s rebounding was their largest strength. The Pistons had more offensive rebounds (14 vs. seven), defensive rebounds (32 vs. 27) and total rebounds (46 vs. 34). Andre Drummond was a key piece for Detroit with 12 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists.
In the Pacers’ last matchup, they lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 100-95. Oklahoma City’s 0.170 free throw rate was their largest strength over Indiana, who had a mark of 0.045. The Thunder’s mark was below their season average of 0.190, while the Pacers’ was below their season average of 0.176. With 11 points, 10 rebounds and seven steals, Thaddeus Young had a solid game for Indiana.
The sharp-shooting offense of Indiana (sixth in the NBA with an effective field goal percentage 0.538) will square off against the mid-tier defense of Detroit (21st in effective field goal percentage allowed 0.527). The Pacers figure to have the edge on that end of the court. Moreover, the Pistons rank 28th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.167), while the Pacers rank first in opponents’ FTA rate (0.151).
Detroit comes into the contest with records of 15-13 straight up (SU) and 16-9-2 against the spread (ATS). Pistons games tend to finish under the projected point total (59.3 percent).
Meanwhile, Indiana is 16-12 SU and 17-11 ATS. There does not appear to be a trend for games including the Pacers in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Young has averaged 14.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals over the last five games for Indiana.
The two teams have split their two matchups this season. The Pacers won the most recent matchup 107-100, covering as 2-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 207 points, which was just 4.5 points below the projected point total of 211.5 points. The Pacers had a better free throw rate (0.157 vs. 0.086) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (28.9 vs. 22.4). Victor Oladipo recorded a double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds.
Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pistons, ATS Winner – Pistons, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Detroit is 9-4-1 ATS with 9 unders, 4 overs and 1 push.
At home, Indiana is 9-6 ATS with 9 unders, 5 overs and 1 push.
Detroit is 8-4 when they allow below 100 points, while Indiana is 7-0.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Pistons are 13-4 and the Pacers are 14-5.
Detroit ranks fifth in second chance points allowed per game (10.6) while Indiana ranks 27th (14.0).
The Pistons rank sixth in points allowed in the paint per game (41.4) while the Pacers rank 26th (48.1).
Detroit ranks second in fast break points allowed per game (8.4) while Indiana ranks 18th (11.6).
The Pacers average 23.1 assists per game, which ranks 10th in the league. The Pistons rank 26th in assists allowed per game (24.4).
Indiana ranks 20th in blocks per game (4.5) while Detroit ranks last (3.2).
The Pacers rank second in points off turnovers per game (19.4) while the Pistons rank 10th (18.0).
Detroit ranks 17th in three pointers attempted per game (29.1) while Indiana ranks 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (30.9).
The Pistons average 42.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 19th in the NBA. The Pacers rank 20th in rebounds allowed per game (44.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Detroit is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 push.
Indiana is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders, 1 over and 1 push over their last five games.
The Pistons have been outscored by an average of 4.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Detroit has defeated opponents by an average of 0.7 points.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 108.0 points per game (0.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 102.2 points per game (5.0 below their season average).
