Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks NBA Picks & Predictions 12/20/2017

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Philips Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Indiana Pacers head to Philips Arena to take on the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. The opening line for this game has Indiana as 4 point favorites.

The Pacers come into this game with an overall record of 17-14. They are 3rd in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.4 as they are averaging 108.3 points per game while giving up 106.9 per contest. The Hawks have an overall mark of 7-23. They currently are 5th in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 103.4 points per contest and giving up 108.5, which is a point differential of -5.1.

Valuable Indiana Pacers Betting Trends

The Indiana Pacers are 19-12-0 against the spread

The Indiana Pacers are 14-16-1 against the over/under

Important Atlanta Hawks Betting Trends

The Atlanta Hawks are 16-13-1 against the spread

The Atlanta Hawks are 17-13-0 against the over/under

Key Indiana Pacers Injuries

09/29/17 G Glenn Robinson III Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Atlanta Hawks Injuries

12/11/17 F Mike Muscala Ankle is out indefinitely
11/29/17 C Dewayne Dedmon Tibia is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Myles Turner comes into this game averaging 14.1 points per contest while playing 30.2 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 7 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.6 assists per game. His FG percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is 75%. Victor Oladipo averages 24.9 points per contest in 34.5 minutes per game this year. He averages 3.9 assists per game and 5.5 rebounds per contest for Indiana. His field goal percentage is 48% for the season while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Player Spotlight

Dennis Schroder has scored 19.8 points per contest while playing 32 minutes per game this season for the Hawks. He hauls in 3 rebounds per contest and has 6.6 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. Taurean Waller-Prince averages 13.2 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 31.2 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.3 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

Indiana averages 108.3 points per contest this year, which is 7th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 1.32 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 6th. From 3-point territory they shoot 39%, which is good for 2nd in the NBA. They average 42.7 boards per contest and 22.6 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 24th with 14 per game. The Pacers allow 106.9 points per contest which is 21st in the NBA. They also surrender a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 26th and 21st in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.3 rebounds a game which ranks 18th, and they allow 23.6 assists per game which puts them in 20th place in the league. They force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 20th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Atlanta is 19th in the NBA with 103.4 points per contest this season. They are 17th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -5.17. They shoot 38% from beyond the arc, which is good for 5th in the league. They are 27th in the NBA in rebounding with 39.7 boards per contest and 6th in assists per game with 23.6. The Hawks are 9th in turnovers per contest with 15.6. The Hawks give up 108.5 points per game, which ranks them 24th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 27th and 25th in those defensive statistics. They rank 30th with 25.9 dimes allowed per game and 24th with 44.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Hawks are 29th in the league in forcing turnovers with 16.8 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Pacers are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 108.8, and their offensive rating of 110.2 is ranked 12th. They are 10th in the NBA in pace with 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 6th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA. Indiana is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 6th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Atlanta is 7th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 4th in the NBA. The Hawks are 20th in the league in defensive rating with 111, and their offensive rating of 105.7 is ranked 3rd. They are 12th in the NBA in pace with 97.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 13th. As a unit they are 15th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 19th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Pacers/Hawks NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Indiana -4

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn