The Pacers are hosting the Suns on Thursday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Phoenix is favored by 8.5 points and this game carries a total of 223.5 points.
Let’s dive into my preview and pick.
Pacers vs. Suns Preview
The Pacers continue to tank their season away. The team has lost 10 straight games and sits at a league-worst 15-50. Indiana ranks 27th in net rating this season and the club’s injury report for tonight, per usual, is very crowded. First off, Pascal Siakam (knee) is out, which is a huge loss. The veteran is leading the Pacers with 24 PPG and the club is 1-8 with Siakam inactive this season. With the forward off the floor, Indiana’s net rating is an ugly -12.9.
The Pacers have also listed seven players as questionable, including Andre Nembhard (back), Aaron Nesmith (ankle), T.J. McConnell (hamstring) and last, but not least, Ivicia Zubac (ankle). The center has yet to make his Pacers debut since being traded to the team at the deadline last month. Zubac has never been listed as anything but out since joining Indiana, so the upgrade in designation suggests he will play.
Zubac averaged 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game with the Clippers this season, but he is unlikely to see much work tonight, as Zubac hasn’t played since February 2nd and Indiana, quite frankly, wants to lose this game. This franchise has their sights on landing the No.1 pick and no matter who is on the floor for the Pacers, they should be no match for this Suns team that has won five of it’s last six and beat Indiana 133-98 back in November.
Dillon Brooks (hand) is out, but Devin Booker and Jalen Green are healthy and thriving. Booker has posted at least 27 points in four straight and Green has finished with at least 20 points in four of his last five. Brooks certainly makes an impact in the locker-room and with the team’s culture, but Phoenix’s net rating has actually been 4.1 points per 100 possessions better with the veteran off the floor this season.
The Suns sit seventh in the Western Conference at 38-27 and rank 14th in net rating this season, and while they have struggled on the road at times, Phoenix has won three of it’s last four away games, most recently with a 129-114 win over the Bucks on Tuesday. The Suns are only 1.5 games back of the Timberwolves for the No.6 seed and getting a win tonight is important as Phoenix looks to avoid the Play-In Tournament next month.
Pacers vs. Suns Pick, Best Bet
This one is pretty simple. The Suns want to win and the Pacers want to lose. Phoenix is going to win this game and backing them to cover this 8.5-point spread is smart, regardless of who suits up for Indiana.
The Suns are a league-best 10-2 ATS when favorited on the road this season.
