More than halfway through the season, and we've got a potential opening-round matchup on tap from Bainbridge Fieldhouse as the Indiana Pacers host the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philly, currently third in the East, is seeking a seventh straight win, powered by reigning MVP Joel Embiid, who just went bonkers last game against the Spurs.
The Pacers are sitting in seventh in the conference and are pegged as five-point home dogs in the NBA odds, as they will be without star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who's taking a maintenance day for his sore hamstring.
Can the league's highest-scoring team slow down the current most dominant force in basketball? Read below for my 76ers vs. Pacers free NBA picks on Thursday, January 25.
76ers vs Pacers odds
76ers vs Pacers predictions
It was a franchise record-setting night for Joel Embiid, who dropped a 70-bomb on the Spurs in a 133-123 win, extending the 76ers' win streak to six games.
The big man is the hub of the Sixers' offense, cracking the 30+ point plateau for the 21st consecutive game, the best in team history. For a team that has seen both Wilt Chamberlain and Allen Iverson suit up for them, that means something.
Embiid is leading the NBA in scoring at an absurd 36.1 point-per-game clip on a crisp 53.9% shooting from the field. His brute force is also the reason he's leading the league with 12.2 free throws per game, making 10.7, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 8.0 freebies per game the closest to him.
Now Embiid gets a Pacers team that’s third-worst in scoring defense, surrendering 122.9 points per game, with only Detroit and Washington allowing more.
The big man has already done damage in two previous matchups with Indy. On November 12, Embiid scored 37 points, with 13 rebounds and seven assists — the same night Tyrese Maxey dropped 50 on them in a 137-126 sprint.
The Pacers did get revenge two days later during the IST elimination round, downing Philly 132-126, but they seemed to outlast Embiid rather than contain him, as he went for 39 points, 12 boards, and six dimes.
After Myles Turner, there just aren't a lot of live Pacer bodies that can challenge him, and this is already a mismatch. Embiid should dominate again.
My best bet: Embiid Over 36.5 points (-110 at DraftKings)
76ers vs Pacers same-game parlay
Joel Embiid Over 36.5 points
Tyrese Maxey Under 7.5 assists
Under 237.5 points
The Pacers have dropped five of their last six, and they've sort of hit the wall offensively, coinciding with Haliburton's injury.
He's played in just one of the last eight games, and the Pacers have topped 120 points in two of them, averaging 114 points per game. In the two games since Hali last suited up, it's down to 109.5.
The Sixers aren't slouches defensively, allowing 111.5 points per contest.
I get the Over has hit in five straight between these teams, but Indy's missing its most important player, and that's enough to tag the Under to break the streak.
From one Tyrese to another, let’s focus on Tyrese Maxey to close out this SGP. His leap from third wheel to sidekick has been as smooth as anyone could have imagined, as he’s 14th in the league in scoring at 25.8 points per game, while sitting 13th at 6.7 dimes per.
He’s coming off back-to-back eight-assist games against the lowly Spurs and Hornets, leaving his assist line of 7.5 particularly high against Indiana.
Maxey’s rapid rise — coupled with Embiid going bonkers — has more than made up for the loss of James Harden, but the 23-year-old isn’t close to his fully developed self yet.
He’s been more scorer than set-up guy, and that’s been his profile against the Pacers in both meetings, with five dimes in each.
Maxey will make an impact Thursday, just not as much in the assist column.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Best NBA bonuses
All Users
Embiid 30+ points & Curry 4+ threes
-110 BOOSTS to +120! Claim Now
All Users
No-sweat 4+ leg NBA SGP
Bonus bets back if you lose! Claim Now
All Users
No-sweat 3+ leg SGP every day
Bonus bets back if you don’t win! Claim Now
21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
76ers vs Pacers spread and Over/Under analysis
The spread has hovered at the 4.5-5.0-point spread, without much movement, and should likely stay that way come tip off.
Both teams are great cover bets: the Sixers are second in the NBA with a 27-15-0 record ATS, with the Pacers in seventh at 24-17-3.
The 76ers have won seven of the last eight but are just 3-5-0 ATS.
Take two Top-5 scoring teams, and the total is sure to top the 230-point plateau. The highest line set so far is 237.5, with nothing coming in under 236.5.
They're inside the Top 6 at hitting the Over, with Philly at 25-16-1, and the Pacers seeing the Over go 25-19-0.
76ers vs Pacers betting trend to know
Philadelphia has hit the moneyline in 56 of its last 82 games. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Pacers.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
76ers vs Pacers game info
| Location: | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN |
| Date: | Thursday, January 25, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBC Sports Philadelphia+, Bally Sports Indiana |
76ers vs Pacers latest injuries
Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the 
to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
