Indiana Pacers (23-17) vs. Phoenix Suns (22-18)
Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns 1/21/24 – Indiana Pacers faceoff against Phoenix Suns for an intriguing showdown on Sunday at Footprint Center in Phoenix; both teams hope this contest can play out as an important moment in their seasons and fans are looking forward to witnessing what could become an epic contest that could make or break either side’s season. NBA Picks & Previews provide additional insight into this pivotal matchup between Indiana and Phoenix and fans are excitedly anticipating it for either of their respective victories!
Indiana Pacers have been making waves this season. Averaging 125.6 points per game with an impressive 50.8% field goal percentage and shooting 38.1% from three-point range. Their rebounding abilities could prove instrumental to victory; 40.8 rebounds per game is impressive as are their defensive stats including 6.2 blocks per game and their high number of fouls (22.6). But their turnover rate of 13.1 per game may pose issues for consideration when facing this rival team.
On the other side of things are the Phoenix Suns with an average of 115.9 points per game; their 48.3% field goal efficiency and 37.6% three-point shooting percentage demonstrate effective yet versatile scoring abilities. They edged out Indiana slightly in rebounding at 43.3 per game and had better free-throw shooting (82.3%). Defensively they match up closely against Indiana with 6.1 blocks per game and 14 turnovers; to gain an edge they must leverage their improved defensive rebounding and free throw shooting percentages to gain an edge.
Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns 1/21/24 Game Info
| When: | Sunday, January 21, 2024, at 8:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Footprint Center |
| TV: | AZFamily |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Myles Turner (C) vs. Kevin Durant (PF)
Myles Turner has been a force for the Pacers this season, starting all 39 games and averaging 27.4 minutes, 17.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and a team-high 1.9 blocks per contest. He is an excellent defender, posting 6.2 defensive boards and 0.6 steals per game. However, Turner has struggled with foul trouble at times, averaging 3.2 personals a game. He will face a tough test against Kevin Durant’s versatile scoring attack.
Kevin Durant has been stellar in his first season with Phoenix, starting every game while leading the team in minutes (36.9), points (28.9), and ranking second in assists (5.8) and blocks (1.1). He has strong shooting percentages across the board and commits just 1.8 fouls per game. Durant’s length and shooting ability provides a matchup nightmare for most bigs. If he knocks down outside jumpers over Turner, it will pull the center away from the rim and open driving lanes for his teammates.
With All-Star bigs on both squads, the Turner-Durant battle will have major implications. Whichever player gets the upper hand gives their team a big edge. Turner must stay out of foul trouble and hold his own on the glass and defensively. This heavyweight fight will set the tone.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game are yet to be determined, but they will likely reflect the closely matched nature of these two teams. Bettors will need to consider the Pacers’ offensive efficiency and the Suns’ balanced attack when making their picks.
Indiana Pacers Betting Trends
The Pacers are 3-2 in their last 5 games overall and 3-1 against the spread during that span. However, they have struggled on the road, going just 11-9 against the spread in away contests. Totals have gone OVER in only 1 of Indiana’s previous 5 overall, while 15 of their last 21 road games have exceeded the total. With the Suns averaging nearly 116 PPG at home, the trends point towards Phoenix eclipsing 110 points at ease.
Phoenix Suns Betting Trends
Phoenix has posted a disappointing 1-4 ATS record over its last 5 games. However, all 5 contests soared OVER the betting total by 11 PPG on average. At home this season, the OVER has hit in 14 of Phoenix’s 23 games. Coupled with the Pacers allowing 114 PPG over their last 5 road games, the Suns’ offense seems poised to push this game to 230+ points based on the trends. Phoenix’s firepower paired with Indiana’s road woes makes the OVER very appealing.
Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns 1/21/24 Betting Picks
Considering the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, along with their recent trends, this game presents a challenging but exciting scenario for bettors. The Pacers, with their high-scoring offense and solid record against the spread, might have the edge. However, the Suns’ ability to maintain a strong scoring average and their slight advantage in rebounding cannot be overlooked.
In terms of picks, the better bet might lean towards the Pacers, especially given their recent form against the spread and the Suns’ struggles in this area. As for the total points, the trend suggests a possibility of going over, considering both teams’ offensive capabilities. Multi-expert best picks would likely weigh these factors heavily in their analysis.
Free Pick and Prediction: Indiana Pacers 118, Phoenix Suns 114.