Houston Rockets at Indiana Pacers
Friday, 1/18/13, 7:00 PM EST, TV: FSIN
Opening Point Spread: Indiana -5
Current Betting Line: Indiana -4.5
Opening Total: 194
Current Total: 195
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Houston has lost five game in a row, including a 105-100 setback to the Dallas Mavericks as four-point road underdogs Wednesday, while going UNDER the posted total of 213. The Rockets will begin their fifth straight set of back-to-back games, but will be facing an opponent that will be playing their fourth game in five nights. The team is 7-12 on the road this season, but six of those victories have come against Eastern Conference foes. Houston is 3-2 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points, which must be considered when making your NBA picks against the spread Friday night.
The Rockets are second in the league in averaging 105.4 points per game, with offseason acquisition James Harden leading the way. He is averaging 26.3 points and has posted 20-plus points in a career-best 22 consecutive games. The former Oklahoma City Thunder Sixth Man also ranks sixth in the league in averaging 1.92 steals per game. Center Omer Asik figures to be a key player in this matchup, averaging 11.2 rebounds per game.
Indiana has alternated wins and losses in its last five games, as it comes off a 97-86 defeat to the Orlando Magic as two-point road favorites, while going UNDER the total for the ninth time in 10 contests. “We will take this loss as a team and hold our heads high,” stated Pacers guard George Hill after the game. He scored 16 points and led the club with six assists in the affair, while also grabbing four rebounds and picking up two steals. Indiana is 3-1 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points this season, something to consider when looking over the pro basketball odds page.
The Pacers will begin a stretch of five consecutive games against Western Conference opponents, with this being the only game that will take place at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in that stretch. Indiana is 48-18 in its last 66 regular season games at the venue. One of the key statistics in this team’s success is rebounding, as it has come away with more boards in 27 of 40 games this season.
Sports bettors will likely back the Rockets due to their 7-0 ATS mark against Central Division teams, while the Pacers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall.
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