Two teams fighting to improve their respective conference standings meet on Thursday night when the Phoenix Suns host the Indiana Pacers in a matchup of offense-oriented teams.

Since neither team has great defense and both rely on their offensive prowess to win games, I’m expecting a high-scoring shootout in my Pacers vs. Suns predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, December 19th .

Pacers vs Suns Prediction

My best choice
Over 235.5 (-110 at bet365)

My analysis

It’s another season of the Indiana Pacers doing what they do best: playing fast to score points while looking absolutely atrocious on defense. That’s why Indiana has gone 64-59-4 on the over since last season.

While the Phoenix Suns defense is slightly better — So is your crime — This makes for a perfect matchup for over bettors. And it certainly helps that the Suns have two of the most prolific scorers in the league and NBA history thriving together.

Behind the play of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker (combined 51.1 PPG), Phoenix scores the 12th-most points per game in the NBA (114.0) with the eighth-best offensive rating (116.1).

Although Bradley Beal’s health is uncertain as a game-changer against the Pacers, Mike Budenholzer’s team has the talent to wreak havoc on the Pacers’ defense. Rick Carlisle’s squad ranks just 24th in defensive rating (116.3) and allows the sixth-most points per game in the league (117.3).

This season, allowing the fifth-highest field goal percentage in the Association (48%) while absurdly putting opponents at the free throw line has been an absolute problem across the board – the Pacers allow the sixth-most free throw attempts per game (24.4).

Given Durant and Booker’s ability to win from behind the arc, from mid-range, or by attacking beyond the rim, Indiana’s defense has no chance. Instead, the Pacers will have to live up to their name and rely on their pace and scoring – they have the eighth-fastest pace in the league (100.0).

Thanks to the combination of Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Benedict Mathurinand Myles Turner, Indiana, scores the 11th-most points in the NBA (114.4) behind the fifth-best field goal percentage (48.9%).

That spells trouble for Durant and Co., as the Suns’ defense ranks just 23rd in defensive rating (116.3) and allows the 11th-highest field goal percentage (47%).

These two teams have a combined record of 31-20-1 this season betting on the over, and for good reason.

Same parlay between Pacers and Suns

Over 235.5

Kevin Durant Over 25.5 points

Tyrese Haliburton Over 8.5 assists

Kevin Durant remains as timeless as he is prone to tweeting something absurd. When he’s on the field, the 36-year-old shows no signs of slowing down in his second full season with Phoenix.

Although he only appeared in 15 games this year, he reached the 25.5 point mark in eight of them. Meanwhile, the Pacers are allowing the most points in the league to power forwards this season (25.12), and Durant’s versatile scoring ability will certainly be a mismatch for this putrid defense.

That’s why Tyrese Haliburton needs to play like the all-star point guard we’ve seen in sprints in recent years. Although his assist numbers have dipped slightly, he still ranks fifth in the league with 8.6 per game.

He also recently scored double-digit assists in his last two games. He has topped 8.5 in 14 games this year and should do the same against the Suns.

Learn how to place a bet in the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Pacers vs Suns odds

Pacers vs Suns live odds

Pacers vs. Suns opening odds

• Spread: Indiana +6.5 | Phoenix -6.5
• Money line: Indiana +220 | Phoenix -270
• Over/Under: Over 232.5 | Below 232.5

Odds courtesy of bet365

Pacers vs. Suns spread and over/under analysis

• The Suns entered the game as 6.5-point home favorites, with the line barely moving as the tip got closer.
• Phoenix is ​​one of the worst ATS teams in the NBA at 9-16, while Indiana isn’t much better at 10-16-1.
• The over/under started at a low of 232.5 and rose to 235-235.5 in most books.
• The Suns and Pacers are among the best over teams in the NBA, with Phoenix going 15-10 on the over and Indiana going 16-10-1.

Trend Pacers vs Suns

The Indiana Pacers have reached the over total in 32 of their last 49 games (+15.50 units / 29% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Suns. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Suns.

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