The Houston Rockets (3-5) visit Indiana to take on the Pacers (7-3) in a game that will likely be low scoring. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, November 5, 2018, and will air on ATTSN Southwest.
Indiana is a 1-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 212 points.
Houston Rockets vs. Indiana Pacers ATS Prediction
Although the Rockets beat the Chicago Bulls in their last matchup, 96-88, they failed to cover as 8.5-point favorites. The game’s total points (184) finished well under the O/U total of 223. The Rockets held the Bulls to an offensive rebounding percentage of 10.3 (below their season average of 19.0) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.431 (below their season average of 0.534). Houston received a boost from James Harden, who was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points on 7-for-17 shooting.
In the Pacers’ previous game, they won a close one over the Boston Celtics, 102-101, despite being 3.5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (203) came in just under the projected point total of 206. Getting to the free throw line was one of Indiana’s largest advantages. They had 25 free throw attempts, 16 more than Boston. Victor Oladipo was the game’s top scorer with 24 points on 6-for-18 shooting from the field.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams clash. Indiana ranks 27th in possessions per game (97.7) and Houston is 26th (99.3) dating back to last season.
Houston comes into the contest with records of 3-5 straight up (SU) and 2-6 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to place the total low when the Rockets are involved, as 62.5 percent of their games have ended over the total.
Meanwhile, Indiana is 7-3 SU and 5-4-1 ATS. Unlike Houston, Pacers games have typically finished under the total (60.0 percent).
Oladipo has averaged 23.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.0 steals over the last five games for Indiana.
The Rockets won both games against the Pacers last season. In the most recent game, Houston won 118-97. The Rockets made 16 of their 21 free throws (76.2 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.0 vs. 13.3).
Rockets at Pacers Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
Indiana ranks second in points off turnovers per game (18.6) while Houston ranks 15th (16.9).
Houston ranks 22nd in rebounds per game (43.3) while Indiana ranks 28th (42.1).
The Pacers rank fifth in assists allowed per game (22.7) while the Rockets rank sixth (22.2).
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