Philadelphia 76ers at Indiana Pacers Pick and ATS Prediction

Two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference will square off for a key game on Thursday night. The red-hot Indiana Pacers will host the up and down Philadelphia 76ers in a game that will likely be a playoff preview. The Pacers and Sixers have split their first two meetings of the 2018-19 season.

The Pacers enter this week having won eight of their previous ten games, with a game against the Phoenix Suns looming. Indiana is in second place in the Central Division, but are putting a ton of pressure on the Milwaukee Bucks. The Sixers will host the Minnesota Timberwolves before traveling to Indiana, but enter the week with a 28-16 record. Philadelphia is in second place in the extremely tough Atlantic Division.

Pacers Winning With Defense

The Indiana Pacers don’t have the most impressive roster in the NBA, but they are getting the job done. The Pacers are allowing just over 103 points per game so far this season, making them one of the top defensive teams in the league. Center Myles Turner is an elite rim protector, averaging close to three blocks per game. The Pacers will need to find a way to slow down Joel Embiid in this matchup.

Offensively, the Pacers are one of the most balanced teams in the entire NBA. The Pacers have six different players averaging in double figures but are scoring just over 108 points per game. Victor Oladipo has emerged as the leader for the Pacers, pouring in 19.8 points per game. If Indiana needs a clutch bucket, you can bank on them giving the ball to Oladipo and letting him go to work. The Pacers don’t score a ton of points, but they are one of the most effective scoring teams in the NBA.

Sixers Finding Some Chemistry

The Philadelphia 76ers appear to be finding some chemistry and figuring out how to play with Jimmy Butler. Butler was brought over from the Minnesota Timberwolves, but things weren’t always smooth sailing. The All-Star forward is pouring in 18.7 points per game, and also gives the Sixers an elite wing defender. Philly has struggled on defense for much of the season, giving up over 112 points per game.

Joel Embiid is putting up monster numbers to lead one of the best offensive units in the league. The Sixers are averaging over 114 points per game this season, are third in the NBA with 27.0 assists per game. Embiid leads the team with 26.9 points and 13.3 rebounds and is in the conversation for league Most Valuable Player. Second-year point guard Ben Simmons is dishing out close to nine assists per game but still refuses to shoot from a distance. Philadelphia can score, but they can’t rely on their offense to consistently win games.