Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets Preview
Where: Toyota Center – Houston, TX
When: Monday, February 27, 2017, 9:30 PM ET
Line: Indiana Pacers (+10) at Houston Rockets (-10); total: 231.0 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TNT
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Betting on the Indiana Pacers (30-29)
The Indiana Pacers were sent crashing back to earth on Saturday as they suffered a stinging 113-95 loss to the Miami Heat. The Pacers had difficulty stopping Hassan Whiteside who scored 22 points and grabbed 17 boards. With the defeat, the Pacers have now lost seven of their last eight games.
The Pacers will look to get their season back on track when they face the Houston Rockets this coming Monday. For Indiana to grab the much-needed victory, it needs to play much better down the stretch. The Pacers were outscored by the Heat, 42-22, in the final 16 minutes of their showdown on Saturday. Indiana sorely missed the services of Paul George who was ejected for the third time this season after two technicals on separate plays early in the third quarter.
George has been a vital cog in Indiana’s success this season, leading the team in scoring with a 21.8 PPG average. He exploded for 33 points in Indiana’s 120-101 win over Houston last January 29. George made 13 of 23 shots, 3 of 7 pointers and all four of his free throw attempts in that emphatic victory.
The Pacers are 4-2 ATS in their last six road games.
Betting on the Houston Rockets (42-18)
There’s just no stopping Houston right now. The Rockets extended their winning streak to two games with a resounding 142-130 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. Eight players scored in double-figures for the Rockets who moved to within four games of the San Antonio Spurs for second place in the Western Conference standings.
Leading the way for the Rockets in this game was James Harden. He scored 24 points and dished out 10 assists to record his 47th double-double of the season. Harden has been superb for the Rockets this campaign, leading the team not only in scoring (28.9 PPG) but also in assists (11.3 APG) and rebounds (8.1 RPG) as well. He will need to be wary of the Pacers, though, in particular Paul George. The Beard was held to just 15 points on a woeful 3-of-17 shooting from the field in their first meeting this season. Harden shot just 2-of-10 from beyond the arc in that contest and committed a whopping eight turnovers.
Fortunately for the Rockets, they’re not just a one-man team. Their already potent backcourt has been bolstered with the addition of Lou Williams. In just two games, Houston’s new three-guard alignment of Williams, Eric Gordon and Patrick Beverley is averaging 38.5 points, shooting .452 percent from the field and attempting 17 threes. One thing Mike D’Antoni must address, though, is his team’s alarming defense. They allowed a season-high 130 points against the Wolves on Saturday, 72 of which came in the second half. Houston was also outrebounded by Minnesota in that contest, 58-31.
The total has gone over in Houston’s last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Houston (-10) not only wins but also covers the spread against Indiana.
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