The Indiana Pacers are rolling and could soon find themselves as a Top-4 seed in the East. On Saturday, they host a reeling Philadelphia 76ers side, who have been in roster flux all season.
With Indiana putting the clamps on the opposition of late, our 76ers vs. Pacers prediction is calling for much of the same against Philly, who will again be without Joel Embiid.
Read on for my NBA picks for Saturday, January 18.
76ers vs Pacers prediction
My best bet
Pacers -8 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
After seeing their six-game win streak end at the hands of the East-leading Cavaliers, the Indiana Pacers got right back into the win column with a 111-100 win in Detroit – a standout performance against a team that was trying to pass them in the standings.
They return home now for the first of a 5-game homestand, starting the day just a game back of the 4th-seeded Milwaukee Bucks.
The Pacers have been doing it defensively during this fun run, allowing just 106.4 points per game, a full eight points clear of their Top 8 total on the year. Indiana has limited teams to 100 points or less in four of its last six.
It doesn't hurt that the offense is surging, putting up 117.5 points per game, shooting a blistering 49.7% from the field and 38.1% from downtown.
The visitors could use some of that juice, as the Philadelphia 76ers enter this one losers of four straight and just two wins in their last nine. The effort was there last game against New York, but they failed to close things out and lost 125-119 in overtime.
It was the sixth straight game missed by 2023 MVP Joel Embiid, who continues to have issues with his left knee.
While he's the biggest missing piece, it's tough for Nick Nurse to cobble together a game plan with a revolving door of injuries. Kyle Lowry (hip) and Caleb Martin (groin) are both out, while Paul George (groin), Guerschon Yabusele (knee), and Andre Drummond (toe) are all questionable.
It has amounted to a 108.7 scoring average during this skid while allowing 114.2 against. Teams are getting clean looks vs Philly, shooting 50.3% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range.
The Pacers have taken three of four against the 76ers, and Philly has struggled against winning teams, sporting a 4-22 record against teams with winning records.
Each of the Pacers' last eight wins has been by eight points or more. Look for that trend to continue on Saturday.
76ers vs Pacers same-game parlay
Pacers -7.5
Over 222.5
Tying the total to the spread gives you an SGP with +260 juice, and it's a great add-on. Over the last 10 head-to-head meetings, the Pacers and 76ers have shown no mercy to the scoreboard bulbs, with the Over going 8-1-1.
Of those 10, all four in Gainbridge Fieldhouse have hit the Over, and all have cruised by the 222.5-point total set for Saturday.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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76ers vs Pacers odds
76ers vs Pacers live odds
76ers vs Pacers opening odds
- Spread: Philadelphia +7.5 (-105) | Indiana -7.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: Philadelphia (+275) | Indiana (-350)
- Over/Under: Over 223.5 (-115) | Under 223.5 (-105)
Odds courtesy of bet365
76ers vs Pacers spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Pacers are 8-2-0 against the spread in its last 10.
- Philadelphia has failed to cover the spread in six straight.
- The 76ers have gone Over the total in three of the last four.
- Indiana has seen the Under cash five times in its last six.
76ers vs Pacers trend
The Pacers are 5-0-0 ATS in their last five games as betting favorites. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Pacers.
How to watch 76ers vs Pacers
| Location: | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN |
| Date: | Saturday, 1-18-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBCSP, FDSNIN |
76ers vs Pacers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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