The Phoenix Suns (16-27) go head-to-head against the Indiana Pacers (22-20) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 14, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 219 points with Indiana set as a 4.5-point favorite.
Indiana Pacers at Phoenix Suns Betting Prediction
In the Pacers’ last matchup, they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 97-95. Indiana held the Cavaliers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.471 (below their season average of 0.546). Cleveland, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of making free throws (14-19; 73.7 percent). Lance Stephenson was a key piece for Indiana with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Suns fell to the Houston Rockets in their last outing, 112-95. Houston won the rebounding battle. The Rockets had more offensive rebounds (14 vs. four), defensive rebounds (39 vs. 34) and total rebounds (53 vs. 38). With 27 points on 9-for-18 shooting, Devin Booker was the top scorer from either team.
This game should be a showdown of contrasting styles. Phoenix has preferred a fast-paced style of play (fourth in possessions per game), while Indiana has been more half-court-oriented (19th in possessions per game).
Indiana holds records of 22-20 straight up (SU) and 23-19 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Pacers games, with 23 unders compared to 18 overs.
Meanwhile, Phoenix is 16-27 SU and 20-21-2 ATS. Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Suns games, with 21 overs compared to 21 unders.
Domantas Sabonis has averaged 17.8 points and 7.0 rebounds over the last five games for Indiana.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. The Pacers won the last matchup 109-94. The Pacers knocked down 32 of their 41 free throws (78.0 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (27.9 vs. 19.6).
Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Suns, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Indiana is 10-8 ATS on the road with 10 overs and 8 unders.
Phoenix is 9-13-1 ATS at home with 12 unders, 10 overs and 1 push.
In games where they allow below 100 points, Indiana is 12-1 and Phoenix is 5-2.
The Suns are 12-16 when they score above 100 points, while the Pacers are 19-9.
Indiana averages 15.0 fast break points per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Phoenix ranks 28th in fast break points allowed per game (14.1).
The Pacers rank sixth in steals allowed per game (7.0) while the Suns rank 28th (8.8).
Indiana ranks fifth in points off turnovers per game (18.2) while Phoenix ranks 27th (15.0).
The Pacers average 44.5 points in the paint per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA. The Suns rank 27th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.0).
Indiana ranks 12th in rebounds allowed per game (42.5) while Phoenix ranks 25th (45.3).
The Pacers average 12.1 second chance points per game, which ranks 15th in the league. The Suns rank 27th in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).
Indiana averages 4.5 blocks per game, which ranks 20th in the NBA. Phoenix ranks 26th in blocks allowed per game (5.4).
The Suns rank 21st in three pointers attempted per game (26.7) while the Pacers rank 25th (24.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Indiana is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Phoenix is 1-3-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Pacers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.0, up from 0.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Suns have scored an average of 102.6 points per game (2.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 110.4 points per game (1.7 below their season average).
