NBA Betting Preview Nets @ Pacers
The New Jersey Nets (13-13 SU, 14-12 ATS, 13-13 O/U) have dropped two straight games in the BetUS Sportsbook, failing to cover the spread for NBA sports betting backers each time out. The Indiana Pacers (10-17 SU, 14-12 ATS, 16-10-1 O/U) have won three of its last four while covering the spread an identical three of four times.
Tonight, the Pacers will try to extend the Net’s recent woes when they hook up at Conseco Fieldhouse.
The Nets are coming off an emphatic 114-91 loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday, failing to cover the spread as a 5.5-point home underdog as Devin Harris and Vince Carter were each held to just 10 points on a combined 7-for-24 shooting night. Reserve guard Keyon Dooling added 17 points off the bench.
“This was a tough one,” Carter said. “This was a tough night for us. We definitely needed a win. This was an opportunity for us to see where we are and how far we have come.”
“They came out with a little more energy,” Harris said. “We looked dead tonight.”
The Pacers are coming off a close 95-94 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday where they easily covered the spread as a 10-5-point road underdog.
Point guard T.J. Ford scored a team-high 25 points while reserve guards Jarrett Jack and Travis Diener added 12 points apiece for the Pacers and Brandon Rush added 11.
Indiana dressed just nine players for the second straight game and was without starters Troy Murphy, Marquis Daniels and Danny Granger, all out with viral infections.
“We’re going to play hard no matter what,” Ford said. “We have confidence in each other. We’ve had problems closing out games so this was a big win for us.”
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick.
The total has gone OVER in 8 of New Jersey’s last 9 games when playing on the road against Indiana
New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
New Jersey is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 14 of New Jersey’s last 19 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana’s last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Indiana’s last 9 games when playing at home against New Jersey
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Indiana’s last 19 games when playing New Jesey
NBA Odds
New Jersey Nets +3 -110
Indiana Pacers -3 -110
Over 211 -110
Under 211 -110
Analysis: The Nets have been struggling in a big way lately and the Pacers have been battling like nobody’s business despite having their best players out of the lineup. I think the best pick for tonight’s matchup may be to take the Over as both clubs can put the ball in the hole consistently and aren’t defensive juggernauts at the other end of the floor. I also like the Nets to surprise Indiana, likely winning outright.
I say take the Nets to cover the spread in a worst-case scenario.
