The Portland Trail Blazers (33-36) and Indiana Pacers (15-54) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The game will broadcast live on KUNP.
The Blazers are 11.5-point favorites over the Pacers on the spread (Trail Blazers -11.5), with the over/under set at 232.5 total points. Portland is a -600 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Indiana is +440 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Trail Blazers vs. Pacers predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, March 18.
Trail Blazers vs Pacers Prediction, Pick
- Trail Blazers vs Pacers pick: Trail Blazers -11.5 (-110)
My Pacers vs. Trail Blazers best bet is on Portland to cover the spread. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Trail Blazers vs Pacers Odds
| Trail Blazers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-11.5 -112 | 232.5 -110o / -110u | -600 |
| Pacers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+11.5 -108 | 232.5 -110o / -110u | +440 |
Trail Blazers vs Pacers NBA Preview
Tonight, the Trail Blazers will continue their road trip in Indiana. Thus far, they have split games with the 76ers and Nets, which seems appropriate as they have also split their last 10 games. One of those victories was a 131-111 victory over the Pacers.
Prior to that game, Jrue Holiday had found his stride running the offense as Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe were sidelined. Holiday still scored 21 points, along with Jerami Grant, as they combined for nine 3s. However, he has scored 12 points in just one of his past four games.
Avdija has slowed his pace as well after the All-Star-caliber season he has enjoyed.
Over his last 10 games, he is averaging 16.3 points while shooting just 37.8% from the field. Although he is not on the injury report tonight, he has been dealing with a back injury — but he's still managed to fill out the stat sheet in other areas.
The Pacers are returning home after a 136-110 loss to the Knicks. They did not have Pascal Siakam or Andrew Nembhard last night, so that will be something to keep an eye on when the injury report drops later.
Regardless, they have won just two games since the start of February. Their tanking has kicked into overdrive after losing their last 13 games.
The Pacers currently hold the NBA's worst record, which would certainly be a desirable outcome for them if it holds after the lottery. At worst, their draft slot would land fifth, but they need it to land in the top four selections, or it will be headed to the Clippers.
Ivica Zubac, their prize acquisition from the trade, has begun taking the court as a Pacer, and he is averaging 10 points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes. It would not be a surprise if he were one of the players held out on the second night of the back-to-back.
Trail Blazers vs Pacers Predictions, Betting Analysis
Portland has won and covered seven of the last 10 meetings in this series.
Tonight, the Trail Blazers have the rest advantage after defeating the Pacers by 20 points 10 days.
During their 13-game losing streak, the Pacers are 1-12 against the spread. They have lost 10 of those games by double digits.
In that span, they are 26th in offensive rating and 30th in defensive rating. Portland is seventh in defensive rating during that same stretch.
The Blazers also have the motivation of securing at least one home game in the Play-in Tournament. I like them to win comfortably tonight and secure their 34th victory.
Pick: Trail Blazers -11.5 (-110, DraftKings)
Trail Blazers vs Pacers Parlay Picks
- Scoot Henderson 15+ Points
- Donovan Clingan 20+ Points & Rebounds
- Deni Avdija 6+ Assists
Parlay Odds: +244 via DraftKings
Scoot Henderson 15+ Points
In the last meeting, Scoot Henderson scored 28 points in 26 minutes off the bench.
Over his last five games, he is averaging 19.2 points while shooting 52.6% from the field, a noticeable leap in efficiency. He has scored 15 points in four of those games.
Donovan Clingan 20+ Points & Rebounds
Donovan Clingan nearly missed a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds.
He has recorded 20 PR in eight of his last 10 games, and one of the misses came in a first-half ejection in which he finished with 16 combined.
Deni Avdija 6+ Assists
Meanwhile, Avdija is averaging 6.7 assists over his last nine games.
He has recorded six assists or more in six of those games, including an 8-spot against this same Pacers team.
