Don’t sleep on the Indiana Pacers. Powered by the excellent play of their backcourt, the Pacers (23-33) are now sniffing a spot in the playoffs after a scorching stretch that saw them beat teams like Detroit, Cleveland, and Golden State. They have a chance to add another high-profile team on their list of victims when they fly to Chesapeake Energy Arena to face the Oklahoma City Thunder sans Kevin Durant.
In another interesting matchup, the Cavs take on the new-look Pistons also this coming Tuesday. Click here for an in-depth preview of that game.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
When: Tuesday, February 24, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Indiana Pacers (+7) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (-7); total 203.0 — view all NBA lines
Betting on the Indiana Pacers
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Pacers were silent throughout the trade deadline. Indiana’s fans, however, could care less so long as the team keeps its current pace up. After beating the league-leading Golden State Warriors, 104-98, on Sunday, the Pacers extended their win streak to three games and improved their record to 6-1 over their last seven contests.
The win against the Warriors was keyed by the offensive brilliance of backup guard Rodney Stuckey, who pumped in a team-high 30 points off the bench. Stuckey has been playing great recently, averaging 17.0 PPG in 24.7 MPG during the Pacers’ last seven games. Stuckey’s scoring resurgence came in parallel with Indiana’s improved offense that produced 104.1 PPG during that stretch, a significant increase from their season average of 96.2 PPG.
Stuckey, along with C.J. Miles (12.5 PPG) and George Hill (13.5 PPG) will have to continue shouldering most of the Pacers’ scoring against the Thunder, who will likely give Indiana’s big men a harder time scoring inside, especially with the addition of Enes Kanter to the team.
Speaking of Indiana’s big men, David West, Roy Hibbert, and Luis Scola, must be able to weather the upgraded frontcourt of the Thunder, now that Kanter is in OKC’s fold. With those three players loitering in the shaded area, the Pacers are able to build a solid interior defense that allows just 38.5 PPG in the paint, second fewest in the league.
The Pacers are 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five road games.
Create a betting account now and put your own prediction to the test.
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
It will take more than a pathetic Denver Nuggets squad to make the Thunder miss Kevin Durant.
Oklahoma City bucked the absence of Durant, thrashing the Nuggets, 119-84, Sunday night. Russell Westbrook laid waste on the Denver defense, finishing with 21 points and a career-high 17 assists. He will have to carry the scoring cudgels even further with Durant set to miss action for the next week or so after undergoing foot surgery this past weekend.
Obviously, Durant’s scoring prowess will be sorely missed. His absence puts pressure on the Thunder’s new acquisition, Kyle Singler, to hold the fort in the three position. The Duke product made his presence felt right away in a Thunder uniform, scoring seven points on 3-for-3 shooting in the Denver game. Singler, however, can’t cover for Durant alone. He’ll need help from the likes of Dion Waiters (10.6 PPG) and Andre Roberson (3.8 PPG) for more offense in the wings.
Another OKC newcomer also made waves in his first game as a Thunder, as Kanter muscled his way through Denver’s defense for 20 points. He also added 12 rebounds to show that he is a perfect complement to Serge Ibaka down low. Ibaka also chipped in 20 points and swatted eight shots, sending a strong message to Indiana’s frontline that scores 53.8 PPG.
The Thunder are 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in their last four home games against Indiana.
Writer’s Prediction
Oklahoma City wins, 101-96.
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