NBA Picks: Indiana Pacers vs. Brooklyn Nets

Indiana Pacers vs. Brooklyn Nets
Monday, 12/23/13, 7:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Indiana -6
Current Betting Line: Indiana -6
Opening Total: 193
Current Total: 193
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Indiana Pacers are 5-2 SU on the road against Eastern Conference foes

Indiana has won and covered the number in back-to-back games, including a 106-79 victory over the Boston Celtics as 12-point home favorites Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total in each of those contests. The Pacers have their entire starting lineup averaging in double figures, with forward Paul George leading the way at 23.9 points a contest, which is important to consider when making your NBA betting picks. The team is 9-4 SU on the road, including a 5-2 mark versus Eastern Conference foes. Indiana is 5-0 SU and 3-2 ATS versus Atlantic division members, with the UNDER going 3-2 in that situation.

The Pacers picked up a 96-91 victory as one-point favorites over the Nets in their first trip to the Barclays Center during the 2013-14 campaign, while going UNDER the betting total of 187.5. Indiana ranks first in the NBA in allowing just 35.9 points per game in the paint, while posting a 14-1 SU record when winning that statistical battle. It’s important to point out that the squad has outscored its opponents by 153 total points in the third quarter of its first 27 games.

Brooklyn has dropped two games in a row, including a 121-120 overtime defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers as 5.5-point road favorites last Friday, while going OVER the betting total for the fourth consecutive contest. The Nets are 5-7 SU at home this season, including a 3-4 mark versus conference rivals, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NBA betting lines. The franchise is looking for its fifth win in its last six games in this particular series, which would also serve as its fourth victory in its last five tries at this venue. Brooklyn is 1-8 SU and 4-4-1 ATS as a home underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since the start of the 2011-12 campaign.

The Nets have received two huge efforts from forward Paul Pierce over the last week, as he’s average 25.5 points on 81 percent shooting. New Jersey has used 12 different starting lines this season, as it continues to work through injuries to an aging roster. The squad hasn’t had one single player start in all 26 games to this point.