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The Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers will battle it out at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Thursday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Nets-Pacers prediction and pick.
Brooklyn will look to continue its winning streak and solidify the top seed in the Eastern Conference come playoff time. Indiana is hoping to survive the absence of two top players and remain in the play-in tournament as the season winds down.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Nets-Pacers odds.
NBA Odds: Nets-Pacers Odds
Brooklyn Nets -9 (-109)
Over 241.5 Points (-110)
Under 241.5 Points (-110)
Why The Nets Could Cover The Spread
The Nets became the first Eastern Conference team to clinch a playoff birth the other night. Nets head coach Steve Nash has his squad playing phenomenal all-around basketball at the perfect time heading into the postseason. Despite clinching the birth, Brooklyn still has a ton to play for down the stretch. The Nets currently have a one-game lead over Philly for the top seed in the East and will look to clinch that vital home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
In their most recent win against the Toronto Raptors, Kevin Durant appeared in his second game since returning from a thigh injury. He scored 17 points and made an impact on both ends of the court for his team. Kyrie was held in check with just nine points in the win, but it was the play of the supporting cast that really impressed. Brooklyn continues to get key contributions down the line, which is crucial without James Harden on the court for an extended period of time. It appears the Big Three will have to figure it out on the fly come playoff basketball. Brooklyn is in a nice spot Thursday as it is 4-1 ATS in its last five road games against Indiana.
Why The Pacers Could Cover The Spread
The Pacers have had an underwhelming 2020-21 season as they try to hold a spot in the play-in tournament. The most disappointing thing about this bunch has been their performance on their home floor. Indiana has essentially clinched a .500 record at home at best if it wins every home game left on the schedule. The Pacers were on a three-game winning streak before losing to the Portland Trail Blazers the other night. They will need to get back on track in a hurry if they want to climb the Eastern Conference as much as possible.
The issue for Indiana recently has been the health in the frontcourt. All-Star Domantis Sabonis and leading shot blocker Myles Turner have both been sidelined for some time now. The effects of these absences have been brutal as the Pacers were outrebounded by the Blazers 57-37 in their recent loss. Indiana will need breakout star Oshae Brissett to continue his strong play in order to compete with a lethal Nets bunch. Brissett is averaging 15.6 points and 9.5 rebounds in his five recent starts coming in.
Final Nets-Pacers Prediction & Pick
There is no question the Pacers are the more desperate team in this situation. I usually look at that as an advantage for clubs, but not in this one. The Nets still have a lot to play for, and it seems they are returning to form as a legitimate juggernaut in the East. Kyrie and Kevin Durant will be too much for Indiana's subpar defense to handle. We have to come to the realization that Indiana prefers to play away from home this season as well. Brooklyn will head to Indy and take care of business in convincing fashion on Thursday night.
FINAL PICK: Brooklyn Nets -9 (-109)
