Previewing Monday’s Indiana Pacers at Utah Jazz sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Indiana Pacers (28-15) and Utah Jazz (29-13) tangle at Vivant Smart Home Arena at 9 p.m. ET Monday. We analyze the Pacers-Jazz odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
Pacers at Jazz: Key injuries
Pacers
SG Victor Oladipo (knee) out
Pacers at Jazz: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.
The Jazz (-303) will cost you more than three times your return on investment. That’s a crazy amount of your bankroll to risk in a battle of two contenders which really could go either way. PASS.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Jazz to win outright returns a profit of just $3.30.
The PACERS (+7.5, -115) are coming off an impressive 115-107 win over the mountains in Denver Sunday. It was Indiana’s fourth consecutive cover on the road, and it’s 4-1 ATS in the past five games overall. However, go lightly, as the Pacers are just 1-4 ATS in the past five when playing in the second end of a back-to-back set.
The Jazz (-7.5, -106) have covered six in a row at home, and they’re 10-2 ATS in the past 12 as a favorite. They’re 2-7 ATS in the past nine at home against teams with a winning home mark, and 1-5 ATS in the past six against the Pacers.
The OVER 214.5 (-115) is worth a roll of the dice, as the trends point to a higher-scoring game for both sides. The Over is 6-1 in the past seven on the road for the Pacers, and 7-2 in their past nine overall. The Over is 4-0 in the past four for the Jazz, and 9-3 in the past 12 as a home favorite while going 6-2 in the past eight against winning teams.
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Previewing Sunday’s Indiana Pacers at Denver Nuggets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Indiana Pacers (27-15) visit Pepsi Center Sunday to take on the Denver Nuggets (29-12). Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 8 p.m. E.T. We analyze the Pacers-Nuggets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Pacers at Nuggets: Key injuries
Pacers
SG Jeremy Lamb (hip) questionable
SG Victor Oladipo (knee) out
Nuggets
PF Paul Millsap (knee) out
SG Gary Harris (thigh) out
PG Jamal Murray (ankle) out
Pacers at Nuggets: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.
The NUGGETS (-121) are slight moneyline favorites at home Sunday evening. They have been a fantastic home team this season, winning 17 of their 22 games at Pepsi Center. The Pacers, on the other hand, have been just average on the road winning 10 of 20 contests. Given how dominant Denver has been at home this season, I like the Nuggets on the moneyline.
The NUGGETS (-1.5, -106) are one-basket favorites. While Denver will be missing several key pieces tonight, they’re still difficult to beat at home. And given a spread that low, it’s tough to see Indiana keeping it that close. I like the Nuggets to cover the spread and win by at least 2 points Sunday.
The total for this matchup is set at 213.5 points, which make sense given the caliber of defenses on both sides. The Nuggets are the league’s third-ranked scoring defense, allowing just over 105 points per game. The Pacers currently rank seventh in scoring defense as they allow just over 106 points per contest. Given the two averages here, I actually like the OVER 213.5 (-106) to hit as both teams should score into the 100s.
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Previewing Friday’s Minnesota Timberwolves at Indiana Pacers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Minnesota Timberwolves (15-25) visit the Indiana Pacers (26-15) Friday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Timberwolves-Pacers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
Timberwolves at Pacers: Key Injuries
Timberwolves
SF Jake Layman (toe) out
PF Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) questionable
Pacers
SG Victor Oladipo (knee) out
Timberwolves at Pacers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 12:55 p.m. ET.
The Pacers (-358) are heavy, heavy favorites at home, where they are 16-5 for the season. They’re 5-5 across their last 10 games but on a three-game winning streak, including taking the first half of this home-and-home 104-99 Wednesday in Minnesota. The T-Wolves (+280) offer close to a 3-1 return on your investment, but they’re 9-12 on the road, 4-6 across their last 10 games and on a three-game losing streak — plus they just traded starting PG Jeff Teague.
Indiana is the pick to win this game, but we’ll PASS with the chalky -385 odds returning a profit of just $2.60.
Our value play is backing the PACERS (-7.5, -115) on the spread, where they’ll need to win by at least 10 points. They’re 23-17-1 against the spread overall and 12-8-1 at home. The Wolves are 16-22-2 ATS overall and 11-9-1 on the road.
Indiana outscores its opposition by an average of 109.2-106.1 (3.1 points per game) while Minnesota is outscored 114.5-111.3 (3.2 PPG). The Pacers are 18-7-1 ATS when on equal rest with their opponent and Minnesota is just 12-14-1 in those situations. Back the healthier, and stronger home side.
Take the OVER 216.5 (-115). The total is below the point-per-game averages of the two teams, both offensively and defensively. Wednesday’s game fell well short of this number, but look for a better output from the Pacers at home.
Esten’s NBA betting record: 145-114
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Previewing Wednesday’s Indiana Pacers at Minnesota Timberwolves sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Indiana Pacers (25-15) travel to Target Center to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-24) Wednesday evening. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. E.T. We analyze the Pacers-Timberwolves sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around this matchup.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
Pacers at Timberwolves: Key injuries
Pacers
SG Victor Oladipo (knee) out
PF Domantas Sabonis (knee) questionable
Timberwolves
C Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) questionable
SF Jake Layman (toe) out
Pacers at Timberwolves: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 12 p.m. ET.
The TIMBERWOLVES (+125) are slight home underdogs Wednesday as they host the Pacers (-149). While the T-Wolves have won just five of their last 20 games, they have the size inside that could give Indiana trouble. Considering the odds, I like the Timberwolves to win outright Wednesday night.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Minnesota to win returns a profit of $12.50.
The TIMBERWOLVES (+2.5, -106) are getting 2 points of insurance in the event of a loss. While it appears the Pacers (-2.5, -115) should be bigger favorites, Minnesota could prove to be a tough matchup due to their size and rebounding ability. Neither team has an elite offense, so expect this to be a slugfest decided by free-throw shooting. Give me the Timberwolves and the points in this contest.
The total for this matchup is set at 216.5 points, which feels a tad low. While neither team has a potent offense, Minnesota’s defense is one of the worst in the NBA. Over the last four games, the Wolves have allowed an average of 119 points per game. Expect the T-Wolves to give up nearly 110 points in this contest, which should allow the OVER 216.5 (-125) to hit.
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We are getting closer to a point in the NCAA and international seasons to get a better idea of what the 2020 NBA Draft class may look like.
We are getting closer to a point in the NCAA and international seasons to get a better idea of what the 2020 NBA Draft class may look like.
Midway through the campaign, it is nearly impossible to predict early entrant decisions. But as the board begins to materialize with a more clear indication of who could be a legitimate help to NBA teams next season, it is worth it to revisit a full mock draft factoring in where each team will be selecting.
Note that some highly-rated freshmen (e.g. Florida’s Scottie Lewis and Tre Mann, Florida State’s Patrick Williams, LSU’s Trendon Watford, Kentucky’s Kahlil Whitney as well as Duke’s Wendell Moore and Matthew Hurt) were not included because of their disappointing first-year campaigns. As such, they are likely to return to school for a sophomore season and improve their draft stock to where it once was.
Typically, selecting the best player available was the biggest factor though team fit was also carefully considered.
All stats are updated through January 14, 2020. The draft order is set via Tankathon on January 15, 2020.
1. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: LaMelo Ball, Illawarra Hawks
Guard, 6-foot-7, 18 years old
This is a draft where the No. 1 pick might not be selected in that position in prior classes. While there may not be a unanimous selection at this point in the season like Zion Williamson was last season, the youngest Ball brother arguably has the highest ceiling of anyone in this class. He was nearly putting up a triple-double each appearance against professional basketball players in the NBL, scoring 17.1 points with 7.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. He was not as accurate on his jumper as originally expected but he has also not a player who lacks confidence; expect him to keep shooting those and his three will develop over time. With his size and versatility on offense, he makes the most sense in the pole spot and his size would also allow him to guard bigger opponents, making him an option for nearly any team in the league even one as stacked as Golden State.
2. ATLANTA HAWKS: Anthony Edwards, Georgia
Wing, 6-foot-5, 18 years old
Under head coach Tom Crean, the Georgia freshman has been a standout prospect. He is averaging 18.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game during his first collegiate season. But a lot of his output has been helped by his high usage rate. He is shooting just 28.1 percent on jump shots in a set offense, per Synergy, and is shooting just 24.6 percent off the dribble. He is also taking too many shots from deep midrange, shooting 25.8 percent on these looks. Fortunately, Edwards has been an above-average defender and is averaging 1.4 steals per game. The young star can stay in his hometown for this pick, too.
3. NEW YORK KNICKS: Killian Hayes, Ratiopharm Ulm
Guard, 6-foot-5, 18 years old
Hayes has exceptional court vision and instincts as well as a true point guard mentality to create opportunities for his teammates. He is averaging 17.2 points and 8.3 assists per 36 minutes while facing professional talent in the Euroleague. He is also capable of creating his own shot off the dribble and many of his own buckets have been unassisted. As noted by Bleacher Report draft expert Jonathan Wasserman, the prospect is shooting 153-of-178 (85.9 percent) on free throws since the start of his 2018-19 campaign. Hayes has a very natural shooting stroke and is someone whose hype should continue to grow.
4. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Onyeka Okongwu, USC
Big, 6-foot-9, 19 years old
The player who has helped his draft stock the most is Okongwu, who is putting up 16.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He has 32 dunks so far this season, which ranks sixth-best among all NCAA players and can be one of the more immediately impactful lob threats in the NBA. The big man is 13-for-18 (72.2 percent) when rolling to the basket in pick-and-roll sets, which shows how he can fit into a pro scheme. On the defensive end, his block percentage (10.7 percent) trails just one player in college basketball this year. He would play a fantastic two-man game with Darius Garland and he can help their frontcourt depth with the likely departure of Kevin Love.
5. WASHINGTON WIZARDS: RJ Hampton, New Zealand Breakers
Guard, 6-foot-5, 19 years old
The Washington Wizards are far from being close to a winning franchise but they do have extraordinary talent on the wing with Bradley Beal. If they add to that by selecting Hampton, who can develop under the leadership of Beal, the fans can sell some hope to a franchise that has gotten a taste of it with the impressive play of Rui Hachimura during his rookie campaign thus far. Like Hachimura, however, Hampton will need some time to develop.
6. DETROIT PISTONS: Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State
Guard, 6-foot-5, 20 years old
The Iowa State sophomore is one of the most polarizing prospects in recent memory. He is producing 16.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game so far this season. The guard has been a solid shooter, connecting on 41.3 percent of his attempts from three-point range. His assist rate (39.1 percent) ranks Top 5 among all underclassmen in the NBA. Haliburton also fits the bill as perhaps the lengthiest guard in this draft class, measured with a 7-foot wingspan. As a defender, the guard is averaging 2.6 steals per game and his steal rate (4.0 percent) ranks third-best in the Big 12. He seems like a perfect point guard of the future for the rebuilding Pistons, who don’t have much of a direction.
7. CHICAGO BULLS: James Wiseman, USA
Big, 7-foot-1, 19 years old
The biggest reason why Wiseman is this high on draft boards is that he was the No. 1 overall player on RSCI, which combines all of the top high school rankings in the country. The other biggest factor is his massive size, notably his 7-foot-6 wingspan. While it will be hard to see what else he is able to add to his game while he is away from the NCAA following an incredibly brief stint with the Memphis Tigers, he can be an appealing development project. Much like Edwards in New York, the bright lights of Chicago would be an awesome way for Wiseman to start his professional career.
8. CHARLOTTE HORNETS: Isaac Okoro, Auburn
Wing, 6-foot-6, 19 years old
The hyperathletic freshman wing has shown a nice mix of offensive and defensive upside for his undefeated Auburn team, averaging 13.2 points with 4.5 rebounds per game. His jump shot is still a work in progress but he is finishing well near the basket, connecting on 65-for-88 (73.9 percent) for looks within five feet of the basket. As a defender, he is elite guarding the perimeter and has also averaged 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. They need a strong defender alongside their young backcourt and after hitting well on the PJ Washington selection, this could be another fantastic pick.
9. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: Obi Toppin, Dayton
Forward, 6-foot-9, 22 years old
The New Orleans Pelicans are going to be a team likely defined by Zion Williamson for years to come. Much like Williamson, Toppin is a high-flyer who currently leads the NCAA in dunks with 3.2 per game. But he won’t clog the paint from the dunker spot as he is averaging 2.6 three-point shot attempts per game. When determining potential fits for the Pelicans, it is worth considering their ability in transition offense because of their schemes. As such, it is important to note Toppin is 27-for-38 (71.1 percent) on these opportunities.
10. SACRAMENTO KINGS: Vernon Carey, Duke
Big, 6-foot-10, 18 years old
The Kings could continue their tradition of drafting big men from Duke by adding Carey to the mix. He would join Marvin Bagley and Harry Giles as former Blue Devils in the frontcourt for Sacramento. Carey has been an elite college basketball player, averaging 17.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He leads all freshmen in defensive rebound percentage (28.0 percent), ranks Top 5 among freshmen in total dunks (24) and Top 10 in block percentage (7.8 percent) as well. If he eventually adds a more constant three-pointer to his arsenal, he could be a starter in the NBA very soon.
11. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: Nico Mannion, Arizona
Guard, 6-foot-3, 19 years old
Mannion is averaging 14.4 points and 6.3 assists per game, already an elite distributor at the NCAA level. He is a high-level scorer and passes well out of the pick-and-roll and his assist rate (36.5 percent) currently ranks as third-best among freshman so far this season. His assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3) is a good indication of his instincts. While he may be too young for a starting role next season, he is someone who projects in the first unit for a long time.
12. PHOENIX SUNS: Precious Achiuwa, Memphis
Forward, 6-foot-9, 19 years old
After the absence of Wiseman, the Memphis Tigers have turned to Achiuwa as the face of their team under Penny Hardaway. He has responded well and his defensive rebound percentage (25.4 percent) leads the American Athletic Conference. As a defender, his block percentage (7.4 percent) ranks third-best in the conference as well. He has turned it on as a scorer lately but he would not be leaned on as the primary option for a team with Devin Booker leading the charge.
13. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Aleksej Pokusevski, Olympiacos B
Forward, 7-foot, 18 years old
One of the most fascinating, underrated prospects for the 2020 NBA Draft is currently playing in the Greek HEBA A2 league. With a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Pokusevski has the ability to play a bit bigger than his already impressive 7-foot frame. He is averaging 16.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.4 three-pointers per 36 minutes. The Serbian-born prospect has also connected on 32.6 percent from three-point range. As a defender, his size has helped him secure 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes as well. Portland could play him in several different places but could provide his most value as a necessary help on the wing.
14. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Josh Green, Arizona
Wing, 6-foot-6, 19 years old
The Arizona freshman was a fantastic scorer on the AAU circuit playing for West Coast Elite, averaging 20.2 points per game. This season, he has put up 12.9 points per game for the Wildcats. Green has also grabbed 5.1 rebounds per game, which has allowed him to be an interesting option operating as the ball handler in a transition offense. Green is currently averaging 1.35 points per possession on these opportunities, per Synergy, which ranks in the 95th percentile. He also has a 6-foot-10 wingspan, which will help him a lot on the defensive side of the ball.
Previewing Monday’s Philadelphia 76ers at Indiana Pacers sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.
The Philadelphia 76ers (25-15) visit the Indiana Pacers (24-15) Monday night for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. We analyze 76ers-Pacers odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.
76ers at Pacers: Key injuries
76ERS
C Joel Embiid (finger) out
PACERS
SG Malcolm Brogdon (throat) questionable
PF Domantas Sabonis (knee) questionable
SG Victor Oladipo (ankle) out
76ers at Pacers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Monday at 3:40 p.m. ET.
The 76ers and Pacers have split each of their previous two meetings; the 76ers won the first game but had Embiid, who had 32 points and 11 rebounds. They then took a 115-97 waxing in the second game without Embiid. Well, Embiid will be out for at least another couple of weeks after undergoing surgery on a torn ligament on his hand, and that doesn’t bode well for a 76ers team that struggles on the road as is—Philadelphia has lost five road games in a row and is just 7-13 straight up on the road this season.
The betting circumstances are interesting here because we are going to PASS Pacers -134 on the moneyline even though we like them to win. Reason being that the juice is a little too expensive here with the Pacers -1.5 (-115) available.
New to sports betting? A $100 wager on the Pacers to win would return a profit of $74.63.
PASS the total in the 76ers-Pacers game. As per usual, monitor the injury report but with Embiid’s absence confirmed, and if Brogdon and Sabonis cannot go for the Pacers, both sides’ defenses will be compromised. It’s a low number (213.5) for two teams averaging a tick more than 109 points per game each and the Over 213.5 (-106) is slightly less juiced makes it more appealing. We are passing though because you could make a case all of the aforementioned, dinged up players could affect their team’s offense as much as the defense.
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Previewing Friday’s Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.
The Indiana Pacers (23-15) visit the Windy City to play the Chicago Bulls (13-25) at United Center at 8 p.m. ET. We analyze Pacers-Bulls odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.
Pacers at Bulls: Key injuries
Pacers
PF Domantas Sabonis (knee) questionable
SG Malcolm Brogdon (back) questionable
SG Victor Oladipo (knee) out
Bulls
PF Lauri Markkanen (ankle) probable
C Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) out
SF Otto Porter Jr. (foot) out
Pacers at Bulls: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 2:00 p.m. ET.
The PACERS’ (-139) moneyline price is on the cusp of betting value but if Brogdoncan play the Pacers should convincingly beat the Bulls. Brogdon is their leading distributor with 7.4 assists per game and the Pacers are 18-9 in the 27 games he has started. Also, these teams have shown opposite forms in recent games. The Pacers have beaten the Bulls in six straight and the Bulls have lost five games in a row.
Back the Pacers on the moneyline to keep up their win streak against the Bulls. New to sports betting? A $139 wager on the Pacers to win returns a profit of $100.
The loss of Carter due to a high ankle sprain could be major for the Bulls who rank 12th in opponents’ points per game, but they allow the most PPG by opposing power forwards and sixth most PPG by opposing centers. Monitor the injury report because if Sabonis can play tonight, he could help wreak havoc in the paint against the Bulls.
I am a little hesitant of an ATS play here because the Pacers are 4-6 ATS as away favorites but the Bulls struggle even more as a home underdog going 3-7 ATS. Furthermore, the Pacers are 1-5 ATS in their last six games against Chicago. Given how limited the Bulls are offensively (ranked 25th in PPG and 28th in offensive rating) and the Pacers above-average defensive performance (ranked eighth in opposing PPG and 11th in defensive rating), take PACERS (-3.5, +105).
BET UNDER 214.5 (-115). The Under is 19-7 in the last 26 Pacers-Bulls meetings and the Pacers have a 2-7 Over/Under record in divisional games. My handicap has the Pacers mounting an early lead and the scoring dying out in the second half. Also, the referee crew assigned to this game has an Over/Under record of 25-33 on the season.
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NBA players — and front offices too, I’d bet — everywhere know that getting on Jimmy Butler’s bad side isn’t the best idea.
And on Wednesday night, Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren got on Butler’s bad side.
The resulted was a pair of incidents that eventually resulted in Warren being ejected. Then, Butler called out Warren in postgame interviews and then took to Instagram to literally circle the next time his Miami Heat would play the Pacers again.
Yep. You’re witnessing the birth of a new NBA rivalry.
Let’s start with the original incident: Butler didn’t like the way Warren fouled him in the third quarter of the game, and if you’re a lip-reader, you can see Butler had some NSFW language for Warren:
"You're f—ing trash."
Jimmy Butler and TJ Warren got tangled up, and both players had a few words for each other 🤬 pic.twitter.com/C0VCJuuEFW
Then, Butler nailed Warren with a shoulder to the chest for a foul of his own … and Warren clapped right near his opponent, resulting in a second technical foul and an ejection. Butler blew him a kiss goodbye:
Victor Oladipo has a date in mind for his long-awaited NBA comeback.
Two-time NBA All-Star Victor Oladipo last played an NBA game on January 23rd, 2019, when he suffered a devasating ruptured quad tendon in his right knee that ruined the Pacers’ hopes of a deep playoff run and has left one of the NBA’s best guards on the sideline for nearly a year. After surgery, Oladipo vowed to be “back better than ever” the following season, and on Wednesday, Oladipo revealed his long-awaited return date.
Oladipo told Stadium’s Shams Charania that he plans to return to the court on January 29th for a home game against the Chicago Bulls. Oladipo said he feels stronger than ever, and that the process of rehabbing for such a long period has left him feeling like nothing can phase him moving forward.
Pacers star Victor Oladipo tells @Stadium he plans to make season debut on Jan. 29 against Chicago and discusses emotions returning from yearlong absence after torn quad tendon in knee. Stay tuned for my full sitdown. pic.twitter.com/lmzwsKmwav
“It’s definitely good to have something to look forward to, especially after 12 months of wondering and hoping and not being sure. 12 months of the unknown. To actually have something, a goal to look forward to is pretty astronomic for me in this process. I’m way stronger now than I was before, especially mentally. I just feel like nothing can phase me, I’ve been through the worst. My better days lie ahead.”
Oladipo is seemingly returning at a perfect time for the Pacers, who are sixth in the Eastern Conference, comfortably ahead of the seventh-place Magic, and only 3.5 games behind the second-place Celtics. Oladipo will have a full two-and-a-half months to improve his game conditioning and regain his rhythm, and if he can be an impact player down the stretch, the Pacers could potentially be hosting a playoff series in April.
Previewing Wednesday’s Miami Heat at Indiana Pacers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Miami Heat (26-10) visit the Indiana Pacers (23-14) Wednesday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for 7 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Heat-Pacers odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
Heat at Pacers: Key Injuries
Heat
SF Jimmy Butler (back) probable
PG Justise Winslow (back) questionable
Pacers
SG Malcolm Brogdon (back) questionable
SG Victor Oladipo (knee) out
PF Domantas Sabonis (knee) questionable
SG Naz Mitrou-Long (ankle) out
Heat at Pacers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 8 a.m. ET.
Both teams enter off of wins with the Heat (-106) beating the Portland Trail Blazers 122-111 at home Sunday and the Pacers (-115) taking down the Charlotte Hornets 115-104 on the road Monday. Indiana is 5-5 across its last 10 games overall and 15-4 at home for the season. Miami is 7-3 across its last 10 games but just 9-9 on the road.
Back the HEAT (-106) as a slight road dog. While the injury to Butler looms large in this one, he’s closer to full health than both Sabonis and Brogdon, who rank second and third, respectively, on the Pacers in points per game. Sabonis also leads the team in rebounding, while Brogdon leads in assists. The Heat’s extra day of rest also factors in. They’re 8-1 straight up with a rest advantage this season. Miami claimed a 113-112 home win Dec. 27 in the season’s first meeting between the two.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Heat to win returns a profit of $9.43.
With the Heat (+1.5, -115) getting lower odds on the spread with just a single point of insurance in the event of a loss, we’ll turn to the alternate line of HEAT (-2.5, +120) where they’ll need to win by at least 3 points. Miami is 21-13 against the spread overall but just 8-9 on the road. Indiana is 20-16 ATS overall and 11-7 at home. The Pacers have dropped four of their last six games for their worst stretch of the season since opening with three straight losses.
Take the UNDER 207.5 (+105) at plus-money amid the injury concerns, particularly for the Pacers. Miami is 21-14-1 against the O/U for the season while Indiana is 18-18-1. The Heat were held below 90 points in two of their last three games
Esten’s NBA betting record: 126-97
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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.