Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks NBA Picks & Predictions 12/26/2018

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Philips Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Indiana Pacers travel to Philips Arena to play the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, December 26, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Indiana as 8.5 point favorites.

The Pacers head into this matchup with a mark of 22-12. They are 2nd in the Central Division. They have a point differential of 5.5 as they average 106.1 points per contest while giving up 100.6 per game. The Hawks have an overall mark of 9-23. They currently are 5th in the Southeast Division. They total 108.7 points per contest and give up 117.9, which is a point differential of -9.2.

Valuable Indiana Pacers Betting Trends

The Indiana Pacers are 18-15-1 against the spread

The Indiana Pacers are 11-23-0 against the over/under

Important Atlanta Hawks Betting Trends

The Atlanta Hawks are 14-18-0 against the spread

The Atlanta Hawks are 17-15-0 against the over/under

Key Indiana Pacers Injuries

12/23/18 G Tyreke Evans Knee is questionable Wednesday vs Atlanta

Key Atlanta Hawks Injuries

12/23/18 F John Collins Ankle is questionable Wednesday vs Indiana12/23/18 F Omari Spellman Hip is questionable Wednesday vs Indiana12/04/18 SF Taurean Prince Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Victor Oladipo comes into this contest averaging 20.2 points per game while playing 32.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 73%. Bojan Bogdanovic averages 16.4 points per game in 31.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 3.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 51% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Trae Young averages 15.4 points per game while playing 29.2 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.8 rebounds per game and has 7.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage is at 78%. Kent Bazemore averages 13.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 27.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.0 rebounds per contest and 2.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

Indiana averages 106.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.5 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 7th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 5th in the league. They average 44.2 rebounds per game and 24.9 assists per game, which ranks them 20th and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 12th with 14.5 per game. The Pacers allow 100.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 14th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.5 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd and they give up 22.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 7th place in the league. They force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Atlanta is 20th in the league with 108.7 points per game this year. They are 25th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -9.2. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 30th in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 44.3 boards per game, and 7th in assists per contest with 25.3. The Hawks are 1st in turnovers per game with 18.0. The Hawks surrender 117.9 points per contest, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 29th in those defensive statistics. They rank 30th with 27.2 assists allowed per contest and 23rd with 46.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hawks were 29th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.3 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Pacers are 20th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.6, and their defensive rating of 103 is ranked 1st. In terms of pace they are 24th in the league with 97.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 11th. As a team they are 18th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 27th in the league. Indiana is 6th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 30th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Atlanta is 1st in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 3rd in the league. The Hawks are 29th in the NBA in offensive rating with 103.6, and their defensive rating of 112.4 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 1st in the league with 104.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 23rd. As a team they are 23rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 5th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Indiana -8.5

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