The Indiana Pacers (10-15) and Philadelphia 76ers (7-15) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Wells Fargo Center in South Philly. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Sixers are 6.5-point favorites over the Pacers on the spread (76ers -6.5), with the over/under set at 227 total points. Philadelphia is a -250 favorite to win outright, while Indiana is +205 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Pacers vs. 76ers predictions and NBA picks for Friday, December 13.
Pacers vs. 76ers Picks, Prediction
Spread
I'm passing on the full-game spread to target the first half, with the 76ers laying 3.5 points at ESPN Bet. The Pacers have the fourth-worst mark against the spread in the first half (8-17), and I expect the 76ers to start fast at home after having an extended rest since last playing on Sunday.
Moneyline
The moneyline is a pass at the current price. I think we need to wait a bit for the 76ers' power ratings to settle since they've been without their star players (Joel Embiid and Paul George) for so many games this season.
Over/Under
Once again, the total is tricky here, with the 76ers missing key players for much of the season. Based on the data this season, my model projects a total closer to 223.5. However, the total went 9-1 to the over in their last 10 meetings. Therefore, I'm okay with passing here and sitting on the sidelines for this one.
My Pick: 76ers 1H -3.5
Pacers vs 76ers Odds
| Pacers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 227 -110o / -110u | +205 |
| 76ers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -110 | 227 -110o / -110u | -250 |
- Pacers vs 76ers spread: 76ers -6.5
- Pacers vs 76ers over/under: 227 points
- Pacers vs 76ers moneyline: Pacers +205, 76ers -250
- Pacers vs 76ers best bet:76ers 1H -3.5
Pacers vs. 76ers Preview
Indiana and Philadelphia have largely underperformed this season for different reasons. For one, Pacers' point guard Tyrese Haliburton's numbers are down across the board compared to last season. He's averaging fewer points (17.5 vs. 20.1), assists (10.9 vs. 8.4) and rebounds (3.4 vs. 3.9) while shooting significantly worse from the floor (47.7% to 42%).
Haliburton is the key to unlocking the Pacers' offense, and as he struggles, their Offensive Rating has plummeted from second (120.5) to 19th (111.7).
The Pacers' overall assists as a team this season also bear some watching because they've dropped from first (30.8) in the league to 10th (27.1). When you compare the last two years, so much of their success was tied to Haliburton's brilliance in running the offense at the point of attack. Thus, as Haliburton searches to regain his form, it's clear there's been a direct correlation with how poorly the Pacers have played this season.
One of the biggest surprises is that the Pacers don't even have a single 20-point scorer on their team after having two in the previous campaign.
The 76ers' issues have primarily been injuries, with Embiid and George in and out of the lineup. Both players have missed 27 games this season, while the starting point guard, Tyrese Maxey, has also missed six games. It's worth noting that Philadelphia doesn't have a single player in its starting rotation who's missed fewer than three games.
With so many players in and out of the lineup, it's tough to build any rhythm and consistency. And given how those players have missed games, you can also assume they've had limited time on the practice court to build a rapport.
This extended break because of the midweek NBA Cup games should have given Philadelphia some reprieve to get some practice sessions in. However, if you look at the 76ers' starting lineup history, they've only had two games this season in which Embiid, George and Maxey were all in the starting lineup.
Philadelphia enters Friday's matchup on a two-game winning streak and has won four of its last five. The 76ers are currently 1.5 games behind for a play-in spot, but they also have three games in hand compared to most teams, which have 25 games under their belts.
If the 76ers have any aspirations of making a playoff push, getting their star players back in the starting lineup will certainly help.
Pacers vs. 76ers Prediction
When motivated, the 76ers can be a very dangerous team, and I like their chances to start fast against the Pacers. A first-half wager is a better option because I prefer to exercise caution before fully adjusting Philadelphia's power ratings until I'm confident this unit can stay healthy together.
However, while I still like the 76ers to win the game, my margin of victory (-5.5) doesn't correspond with the market at -6.5.
Nonetheless, a 76ers moneyline at -250 still offers value when used as part of a DraftKings same game parlay. The leg I'll look to add to the parlay is for Paul George to go over 26.5 points + rebounds + assists at under 4.5 assists at +110 odds. George will likely face the most difficulty in trying to fit into this offense led by Embiid and Maxey for so many years.
If Embiid and Maxey are options #1 and #2 in the offense, I think we'll see George aggressive whenever he gets his hands on the ball. He'll also need to find other ways to get involved in the game, such as rebounding or dishing out assists.
George's home splits (21.7 points, 7.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds) are remarkably better than on the road (14.1 points, 4.6 assists and 5.2 rebounds). He has exceeded this projection of 26.5 in six straight home games and each of his last two meetings against the Pacers.
Combining a 76ers moneyline with George going over his points + rebounds + assists prop would help boost our parlay odds up to +154.
Best Bet: 76ers First Half Spread -3.5 (-110)
Same Game Parlay Pick
- 76ers Moneyline (-250)
- Paul George over 26.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-110)
Parlay Payout: +154
