Indiana at Sacramento
Time: 10 PM ET, Jan 24, 2014
Spread: IND -12
Total: 197

Betting Odds courtesy of Bovada

The Indiana Pacers are owners of the best record in the Eastern Conference at the midpoint of the season. The Pacers lead the Heat by three games, and at 33-8 it will travel to Sacramento to face the Kings in a game NBA oddsmakers are heavily favoring the Pacers by 12-points.

Indiana has won eight of its past 10 contests and is 12-7 on the road this season. The Kings are not a particularly dangerous team at home, at just 9-13 on the season, but the team certainly would be at least in playoff consideration in the East. Isaiah Thomas has showed huge improvements and star potential, and DeMarcus Cousins is a force on the blocks offensively.

The Kings have a glut of talent, especially with the acquisition of Rudy Gay, but the team has been only marginally better as winners of five of its past 10.

Reigning Most Improved Player of the Year Paul George has been huge for the Pacers. He’s challenging the best in the league when the Pacers face them, and matching up well with the likes of LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

George threw down a 360-degree windmill dunk on a breakaway last week that drew the attention of the greater world, and his talents are extraordinary. Lance Stephenson has improved to near All-Star like levels and will get mention as a reserve possibly.

George Hill has blossomed as a full-time starter since leaving San Antonio, and David West and Roy Hibbert are both strong big men that require a lot of defensive attention. Hibbert still hasn’t become the max-contract type talent that Indiana hoped, but he averages 2.8 blocks per game and shows up when the Pacers face the Heat. If that’s enough to get Indiana into the Finals, it will have been worth it.

Indiana Trends: UNDER 4-0 in last 4 after ATS loss; OVER 3-0-1 in last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in previous game; OVER 4-0-1 in last 5 overall.

Sacramento Trends: OVER 3-0-1 in last 4 vs teams with road winning percentages over .600; OVER 6-0 in last 6 following SU loss of more than 10 points; 8-0 ATS in last 8 home games against teams with winning records.

Head-to-head: Pacers 6-2 ATS in last 8 in Sacramento.