Indiana Pacers (14-13) vs. Houston Rockets (14-12)
Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets December 26, 2023 – The upcoming NBA fixture presents an intriguing matchup as the Indiana Pacers, standing at 14-13, face off against the Houston Rockets with a slightly better record of 14-12. This clash, set for December 26, 2023, promises to be a closely contested battle at the Toyota Center. Fans and bettors are keeping a keen eye on this game, especially those interested in NBA daily free picks.
Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets December 26, 2023 Game Info
| When: | Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at 8:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Toyota Center |
| TV: | NBAt |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Tyrese Haliburton (PG) vs. Alperen Sengun (C)
Tyrese Haliburton has taken a monumental leap in his first season with the Pacers, solidifying himself as one of the best young point guards in the NBA. He’s averaging career-highs across the board with 24.3 points and 12 assists per contest, sparking Indiana’s fifth-ranked offense. Haliburton excels at breaking down defenses in the pick-and-roll, where he can snap quick passes to dive men or fluidly pull up from midrange. However, the 23-year-old struggles on the defensive end, often getting beat off the dribble and giving up penetration.
Meanwhile, Alperen Sengun serves as Houston’s fulcrum, utilizing his crafty post play and vision to anchor the league’s second-best rebounding team. While Sengun lacks vertical athleticism, he leverages his 265-pound frame and array of fakes to score nearly 20 points on 55% true shooting. The Turkish big man is also an adept passer, facilitating out of the short roll and finding cutters when defenses collapse. Still, Sengun can run into foul trouble and struggles containing shifty guards in space.
This matchup pits Haliburton’s pick-and-roll prowess against Sengun’s brute interior force on both ends. If Haliburton can penetrate and bend Houston’s defense, Indiana’s perimeter threats should feast on open looks. But if Sengun controls the paint area and glass, he can mitigate the Pacers’ efficient shooting while fueling Houston’s offense with second-chance buckets.
Pacers’ Performance: High Scoring, High Risk
Indiana Pacers have been an offensive powerhouse this season, averaging 127.1 points per game with an astounding 50.5% field goal percentage and 37.8% three-point shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, their defensive game has fallen short, leaving them vulnerable against competition in many of their recent matches.
Rockets’ Resilient Play: Balancing Offense and Defense
Houston Rockets have shown their team has an all-around approach by scoring 111.8 points per game with a 46.2% field goal percentage and averaged 45.9 rebounding per game as well as maintaining an effective defensive record; these strong characteristics keep most games within reach for them.
NBA Betting Odds: TBD, Over/Under: TBD
As the odds are yet to be determined, this matchup seems evenly poised. The Pacers’ offensive prowess and the Rockets’ balanced gameplay make this a challenging game to predict in terms of betting.
Indiana Pacers Betting Trends
Pacers are 1-4 in their last 5 games.
Indiana Pacers are 1-4 in their last 5 games against the spread
Pacers are 6-8 in their road games against the spread
The totals have gone OVER in 2 of Pacers’ last 5 games
The totals have gone OVER in 11 of Pacers’ 14 last games at home
Houston Rockets Betting Trends
Rockets are 2-3 in their last 5 games.
Houston Rockets are 2-3 in their last 5 games against the spread
Rockets are 5-6 in their road games against the spread
The totals have gone OVER in 3 of Rockets’ last 5 games
The totals have gone OVER in 4 of Rockets’ 14 last games at home
Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets Betting Picks
The game presents a tough call for bettors. The Pacers’ offensive statistics are impressive, but their recent form suggests vulnerability. The Rockets, while not as explosive offensively, have shown more consistency.
For bettors, it might be wise to consider the over, given both teams’ tendency to participate in high-scoring games. When picking a winner, the Rockets’ balanced gameplay and home advantage might slightly tip the scales in their favor. As always, it’s advisable to check USA top Betting Sites for the best odds and betting options.
Receiving Yards Prop: Rockets 120, Pacers 115.
