The Indiana Pacers (4-2) go head-to-head with the Portland Trail Blazers (3-2) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, October 29, 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 3.5-point favorite.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Indiana Pacers ATS Prediction
The Trail Blazers were unable to cover as 1.5-point underdogs in their 120-111 loss to the Miami Heat in their last game. The combined points for the game (231) were over the projected point total of 220. Miami’s rebounding was their largest strength. The Heat had more offensive rebounds (16 vs. eight), defensive rebounds (40 vs. 34) and total rebounds (56 vs. 42). Damian Lillard was the top scorer from either team with 42 points on 15-for-28 shooting.
In the Pacers’ last matchup, they beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 119-107, covering as 7-point favorites. The game’s combined points (226) finished over the projected point total of 213.5. Indiana’s 0.682 effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Cleveland, who had a rate of 0.506. The Pacers’ mark was above their season average of 0.560. With 24 points and six assists, Victor Oladipo had a good game for Indiana.
Portland could have a difficult time creating turnovers. Dating back to last season, Indiana ranks ninth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.1 percent), while Portland has forced the first-fewest turnovers (12.5 percent).
Portland holds records of 3-2 straight up (SU) and 3-2 against the spread (ATS). Of the Trail Blazers’ 5 games, five have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Indiana is 4-2 SU and 4-2 ATS. Games featuring the Pacers also have typically gone over the total (66.7 percent).
The Trail Blazers won both matchups against the Pacers last season. In the most recent matchup, Portland won 100-86. The Trail Blazers knocked down 16 of their 16 free throws (100.0 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (28.0 vs. 18.9).
Portland Trail Blazers at Indiana Pacers Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
Indiana is 31-5 when they allow under 100 points, while Portland is 26-8.
The Trail Blazers are 47-23 when they score above 100 points, while the Pacers are 44-19.
Indiana ranks second in points off turnovers per game (18.6) while Portland ranks 29th (14.2).
The Pacers rank fifth in fast break points per game (15.0) while the Trail Blazers rank last (8.6).
Indiana ranks second in steals per game (8.7) while Portland ranks 25th (7.0).
The Trail Blazers rank third in rebounds per game (45.7) while the Pacers rank 24th (42.1).
Portland ranks seventh in blocks per game (5.2) while Indiana ranks 26th (4.1).
The Trail Blazers rank fifth in three pointers allowed per game (26.9) while the Pacers rank 24th (30.7).
Portland ranks sixth in second chance points per game (13.7) while Indiana ranks 16th in second chance points allowed per game (12.6).
The Trail Blazers rank second in assists allowed per game (20.7) while the Pacers rank 12th (22.7).
Portland ranks fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (43.1) while Indiana ranks ninth (43.8).
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