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Pacers at Mavericks Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
3 minute read

By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com

Straight Up (SU), Against the Spread (ATS)

Eye Test

The Pacers (38-25) sit one half-game ahead of the 76ers for the fifth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after Philadelphia melted down in a loss at Golden State on Saturday. Since suffering six consecutive losses in February, Indiana has won seven of its last nine games with the two defeats coming to the top two teams in the East, Milwaukee and Toronto.

The Mavericks (39-25) have been a model of consistency all season long by not more than two consecutive games at any time. Dallas is one game behind Houston for first place in the Southwest division, but the Mavericks are currently seventh in the top-heavy Western Conference playoff race in spite of winning seven of their last 10 games.

Current Form

The Pacers are 4-2 on the road since the All-Star break, although all four victories have come against teams owning losing records (Chicago, San Antonio, Cleveland, and New York). Indiana finished off a four-game season sweep of Chicago on Friday, but have lost five consecutive games in the role of a road underdog.

Dallas looks to close out a three-game homestand with a perfect 3-0 mark after knocking off New Orleans in overtime and blowing out Memphis last week. The Mavericks had lost four of five home games from late January through early February, but have rebounded with four straight victories at American Airlines Center, while winning six of nine games since the All-Star break overall.

Head-to-Head

The Mavericks have won five of their last six meetings with the Pacers since December 2016, while posting a 5-1 ATS mark in that stretch. In the first matchup this season at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Dallas pulled away from Indiana in a 112-103 triumph as 5.5-point road underdogs on February 3.

Dallas played without star Luka Doncic that night, but Kristaps Porzingis picked up the slack by scoring 38 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. The Mavericks seek their fourth straight home win over the Pacers, who last won at American Airlines Center in March 2016.

Inside the Stats (Home/Away)

Points Per Game:
Indiana 109.3 (108.5)
Dallas 116.6 (116.4)

Points Allowed:
Indiana 107.3 (109.1)
Dallas 110.4 (110.4)

Home-Away Records

-- Indiana 17-15 SU, 18-13-1 ATS
-- Dallas 18-14 SU, 13-18-1 ATS

Situational (Vs. Non-Conference)

The Pacers have won seven of their last 11 contests against Western Conference foes, but Indiana is 0-4 in four games as a road underdog against Western teams with all four losses coming by nine points or more.

The Mavericks own a 8-4 SU and 5-6-1 ATS mark against Eastern teams at home, including a 2-2 record when facing teams currently above .500 (wins against Toronto and Philadelphia and losses to Boston and Miami).

Score Projection

TBA

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Betcha Didn’t Know

The Pacers have dropped 10 of 14 games this season in the road underdog role, while the highest underdog price Indiana was listed at and won came as a 4.5-point 'dog at Orlando on November 10.

VI Prediction Tool

The VegasInsider.com Prediction resource gives an edge to either team in eight specific categories listed above and there are instances where both clubs receive a positive edge (). Depending on how you weigh the below factors could provide more reason to fade or follow those teams in your wagers.

VI Edge Predictions
Categories Indiana Pacers Dallas Mavericks
Eye Test -
Current Form
Head-to-Head -
Inside the Stats -
Home-Away -
Situational -
Score Projection -
Betcha Didn't Know -
Expert Picks - -

Total Talk (Over-Under)

Indiana: 33-29-1 (Away, 17-15 Over)
Dallas: 39-25 (Home, 20-12 Over)

The Pacers have cashed the 'over' in three of four games on their current road trip, while drilling the 'over' in three straight road contests against Western Conference foes.

The Mavericks had a five-game 'over' streak at home snapped in Friday's 121-96 victory over the Grizzlies on a 224.5 total. Dallas has hit the 'under' in three of the last four games.

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