The Philadelphia 76ers are looking to bounce back at home when they host the Indiana Pacers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday night. This Eastern Conference clash features two teams heading in opposite directions - the Sixers are getting healthier while the Pacers are dealing with a season-altering injury to their star point guard.
76ers vs Pacers Betting Picks
Philadelphia enters this matchup stinging from a tough 112-108 home loss to the Lakers, but they'll have their core duo of Joel Embiid and Paul George ready to roll. The story couldn't be more different for Indiana, who are trying to find their identity without Tyrese Haliburton after he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. The Pacers did show some fight in their last outing, securing a solid 120-105 road win over the Bulls behind Pascal Siakam's explosive performance.
This game will test how well the Pacers can adapt to life without their primary playmaker against a Sixers team that should be motivated to protect home court. With significant injury concerns for Indiana and Philadelphia getting key players back, this sets up as a potential mismatch that could favor the home team.
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Pacers vs 76ers Game Details and Betting Odds
Date: Friday, December 13, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
TV: NBCS-PH (Philadelphia), FDSIN (Indiana)
Here are the current betting lines for Friday's matchup:
- Moneyline: 76ers (-250), Pacers (+200)
- Spread: 76ers -6.5 (-105), Pacers +6.5 (-115)
- Total: Over/Under 224.5 (-110 both ways)
Betting odds courtesy of MGM
The betting market clearly views this as a Philadelphia victory waiting to happen. The Sixers are substantial -250 favorites on the moneyline, while the 6.5-point spread suggests bookmakers expect a comfortable home win. What's interesting is how the total has dropped from an opening number around 229.5 down to 224.5, indicating the market expects a more defensive-minded contest than initially projected.
How the Teams Match Up Statistically
The numbers tell a pretty clear story about which team has the advantage here. Philadelphia brings a significantly more potent offense, averaging 116.9 points per game compared to Indiana's 111.2. More telling is the efficiency gap - the Sixers shoot 45.6% from the field while the Pacers struggle at just 43.4%.
But here's where it gets really interesting: Indiana's defense has been a disaster this season. They're allowing 118.8 points per contest on 47.7% shooting, making them one of the most generous defenses in the league. Philadelphia averages 49.2 points in the paint per game, and that interior scoring should absolutely feast against Indiana's vulnerable rim protection.
The defensive contrast is stark. While the Sixers post a respectable 111.1 defensive rating and average 6.1 blocks per game, the Pacers have been getting torched nightly. This creates a fascinating dynamic where Pascal Siakam - coming off that monster performance against Chicago - will need to carry a heavy offensive load against a much more disciplined Philly defense anchored by Embiid's rim protection.
The key matchup revolves around whether Siakam can continue his recent hot streak against Paul George and company, or if Philadelphia's superior depth and defensive structure will overwhelm an undermanned Pacers squad.
Prediction: Sixers Should Roll at Home
This feels like the type of spot where everything aligns for the home favorite. Philadelphia gets their stars back, they're playing at Wells Fargo Center, and they're facing a Pacers team that's been struggling defensively even when healthy.
The math is pretty simple here. Indiana allows 118.8 points per game to teams shooting 47.7% against them. Philadelphia averages 116.9 points and shoots 45.6% as a team. With Embiid and George both available, the Sixers should be able to exploit every weakness in Indiana's defensive scheme.
On the other end, the Pacers' 43.4% field goal percentage suggests they'll struggle to keep pace offensively, especially without Haliburton's playmaking. While Siakam has been excellent lately, asking him to single-handedly carry the offense against Philadelphia's improved defense is a tall order.
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Best Bet: 76ers -6.5 (-105)
This spread feels very manageable for a healthy Philadelphia team at home. The Pacers' defensive struggles should allow the Sixers to build a comfortable lead, and without their primary playmaker, Indiana lacks the offensive firepower to mount sustained comebacks.
Best Player Prop: Joel Embiid Over Rebounds
Embiid should dominate the glass against a Pacers team that shoots poorly and lacks interior size with their injuries. Indiana's 43.4% field goal percentage means plenty of missed shots for the big man to clean up, making his rebounding total an attractive target at plus-money odds.