The Eastern Conference-leading Indiana Pacers find themselves in the midst of a rare two-game losing streak, and the red-hot Houston Rockets are more than capable of further extending that streak when these two potential NBA Championship contenders collide at the Toyota Center Friday night. Read on for everything you need to know to bet on this major hardwood tilt.
Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets Betting Preview
[sc:NBA240banner ]Where: Toyota Center, Houston
When: 9:30 PM ET, Friday, March 7, 2014
Betting on the Indiana Pacers
For the first time since December, Indiana has lost two games in a row. The Pacers lost to Klay Thompson’s fade-away winner with 0.6 seconds left at home on Tuesday, before getting trounced 109-87 by the Charlotte Bobcats on the second night of the back-to-back. Paul George had his worst game of the season (2 points, 0-9 FGs) against the Bobcats, while the struggling Roy Hibbert was unable to contain Al Jefferson, who scored 34 points.
The Pacers may even be happy to see the Rockets. The last time Indiana lost two in row they got back on track with a massive 114-81 win over these same Rockets. The Pacers, who have not lost three in a row all season, are 4-1 SU and ATS in their last 5 road games vs. the Rockets.
Betting on the Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets have now won their first three games in March after brushing aside the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic on back-to-back nights. Four Rockets scored 20 or more to end the Heat’s eight-game winning streak, and Dwight Howard had 19 points and 13 rebounds in his successful return to Orlando.
Houston is now 11-2 SU since February thanks in large part to its outstanding homecourt record. The Rockets are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games at the Toyota Center, including the last six in a row.
Prediction
There’s a first time for everything, and tonight will begin the first Pacers’ three-game skid of the season. With Roy Hibbert slumping, Dwight Howard can have his way inside and power the Rockets to yet another home victory.
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