Wednesday night in the Association will showcase a great Eastern Conference matchup. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Nets-Pacers prediction and pick.
The Brooklyn Nets continue to be the talk of the Eastern Conference at this stage of the season. The Nets are 23-12 on the year and are in second place in the East. They would still be in first if it wasn't for the surging Chicago Bulls. This is a game the Nets need to win because the Indiana Pacers are not playing well at the moment. It's been a tough season for the Pacers, who came into the year with high expectations. Indiana has lost five in a row and are putting themselves into a deep hole right now. With all the players they currently have on the covid-19 list, it's going to be tough for them to compete at the highest level.
Here is how FanDuel set the Nets-Pacers line for Wednesday night.
NBA Odds: Nets-Pacers Odds
Brooklyn Nets: -8.5 (-110)
Indiana Pacers: +8.5 (-110)
Over: 226 (-110)
Under: 226 (-110)
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Article Continues BelowWhy The Nets Could Cover The Spread
This should be an easy one for the Nets to cover. Indiana is missing some players and we are yet to know if they will return by Wednesday night's game. The Nets are 6-4 in their last 10 games but their defense has been off lately, giving up 111.4 points per game in their last 10. The Pacers are 2-8 but have given up fewer points per game than the Nets. Once the Nets get Kyrie Irving back for good, then this team will be very scary. For now, Kevin Durant and James Harden control the team and everything runs through those two.
Why The Pacers Could Cover The Spread
This will be very tough for the Pacers to cover. The return of Lance Stevenson might be of some help, but it's going to be a while until the Pacers can really compete. Without Malcolm Brogdon and TJ Warren, they are slim on veterans and will have to rely on others to fill their roles. Caris LeVert was on a tear before he was sidelined, averaging 23.5 points per game in his last ten games. They need that play desperately if they want a chance at competing in this game. If any of those players are activated, that will be a difference-maker. If not, then expect the Nets to roll through them.
Final Nets-Pacers Prediction & Pick
I'm taking the Brooklyn Nets to cover this spread. It just doesn't seem like one of those games the Nets are going to “skip” in their minds. Like Durant just said after their loss to the Clippers, they can't just expect to win. The Nets are on a three-game losing streak but I expect that streak to end Wednesday night. It's shocking, but the Nets are just 14-20-1 against the spread this year and the Pacers are 18-19-1. Durant is averaging just under 30 points per game on the season. Expect him to play well once again and lead the Nets to a win.
Final Nets-Pacers Prediction & Pick: Nets -8.5 (-110)