Pacers vs Kings Picks, Prediction Today | Thursday, Jan. 18

Here's everything you need to know about Pacers vs. Kings on Thursday, Jan. 18 — our expert prediction and betting picks for today.

The Pacers made headlines on Wednesday by acquiring Pascal Siakam in a three-team deal with the Raptors, but for now their attention will solely be directed on the Sacramento Kings, who host Indiana on Thursday night.

Can a shorthanded Indiana side keep things interesting in Sacramento?

Let's get to our Pacers vs. Kings prediction and pick.

This game is somewhat of a nightmare to handicap given the injury situation in Indiana. Tyrese Haliburton is trending toward a return from a hamstring strain, but although he's listed as questionable for tonight's game, it isn't looking all that likely he will play. Bennedict Maturin and Aaron Nesmith are also listed as questionable, which could really put the Pacers' backcourt depth in a bind. And on top of that, Obi Toppin could sit with a calf issue and Bruce Brown's 12 points per game are now in Toronto.

With all of that, the Pacers enter the game as huge underdogs on the road. They're covering in 57.5% of their games this season, but they're just 7-7 against the spread as road underdogs, and they've been decidedly worse away from home from beyond the arc, shooting just 35% from 3-point range as compared to 40.7% in Indy.

This was already a perilous matchup for the visitors, who sit inside the league's bottom 10 in 3-point defense and will have to find a way to slow a somewhat potent Kings offense that greatly favors the 3-point shot.

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Unlike the Pacers, Sacramento has a clean bill of health. While its offense hasn't quite matched what we've seen over the last couple of seasons, it can be a very dangerous side, particularly at home.

The Kings are shooting the 3 around three percentage points better in Sacramento, and stand at 13-7 straight-up as a result. Things haven't always been straightforward, however, given this team is just 9-11 ATS at home and 8-10 ATS as home favorites.

Still, you have to like the Kings' chances here. They've been down on their luck offensively, but their affinity for the 3 should work wonders against a team that is not only inept when it comes to defending on the perimeter, but one which will likely be down several big names in the backcourt.

Things have been a bit of an adventure on defense for Sacramento, but the good news here is that it's had its most success in defending the rim. According to Cleaning the Glass, Indiana has taken 35.6% of its shots within four feet of the basket, which ranks fifth in the NBA.

While we don't know exactly how many of the Pacers will miss this one, we should be able to count on at least one or two key absences. Even if Haliburton does suit up, he'll likely be playing in a limited role, and with depth limited (and some players hampered by injury) I still would have to favor the Kings to cover the spread.

Sacramento has been plenty capable of exploiting a positive matchup around the perimeter, specifically at home. And even though the Kings haven't been the most reliable side for bettors, the way to go here is laying points against a depleted Pacers team that is likely a week away from the start of a push with better health and the installation of Siakam into the starting lineup.

Pick: Kings -7.5 (-105)

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