The Indiana Pacers and the Houston Rockets are done with their Christmas celebrations and it’s back to business for both of them as they face off against each other this Wednesday.

Catch this game live on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 9 AM, Manila time

Away: Indiana Pacers (14-14/6-7 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Tyrese Haliburton
  • Buddy Hield
  • Bruce Brown  (Questionable)
  • Obi Toppin
  • Myles Turner

Just like the Los Angeles Lakers, the Pacers appear to be suffering some form of In-Season Tournament hangover. Since losing to the Lakers in the IST title game, the Pacers have gone just 2-6 straight up. 

They are also entering Wednesday’s matchup against the Rockets on a two-game losing skid, having suffered back-to-back losses to the Memphis Grizzlies (116-103) and the Orlando Magic (117-110) last Friday and Sunday, respectively. Despite their recent struggles, the Pacers remain the top offensive team in the entire league. The Pacers are tops in the NBA with 125.9 points per game and also No. 2 overall – just behind the Boston Celtics – with a 119.7 adjusted offensive rating. In addition, Indiana is 5-2 against the spread in its last six games against Houston, dating back to 2020.

Home: Houston Rockets (15-12/12-2 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Fred VanVleet
  • Jalen Green
  • Dillon Brooks
  • Jabari Smith Jr.
  • Alperen Sengun

The Rockets are indeed back. They snapped a three-game losing skid by downing the Dallas Mavericks (122-96) last Saturday at home before scoring a close 106-104 road win against the New Orleans Pelicans last Sunday. Aleperen Sengun’s rapid development has been huge for the Rockets. 

He should be quite the headache for the Pacers’ faulty defense. Sengun, who just scored a career-high 37 points in the Pelicans game, is averaging 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 53.3 FG%. Speaking of which, the Rockets are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. They are second with just 107.7 points allowed per game and also No. 2 with a 50.4 eFG%.

Houston is 8-1-1 against the spread in its last 10 home games.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Pacers (+3) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (236.0) hits the Over.