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The Indiana Pacers host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday in NBA action. The Pacers are 32-38 on the season while the Sixers are third in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers have won five straight over the Pacers including a 3-0 mark this season. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. EDT at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Embiid playing like n MVP
The Sixers might be the hottest team in basketball right now. They are third in the Eastern Conference and are breathing down the necks of the second-place Boston Celtics, who hold a slim lead. Center Joel Embiid is playing like an MVP. The big man leads the NBA in scoring with 33.5 points per game and he is hauling down 10.2 rebounds per contest.
https://t.co/wWGNmWnCY9’s updated MVP Ladder:
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) March 17, 2023
1. Joel Embiid
2. Nikola Jokic
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
4. Jayson Tatum
5. Luka Doncic
6. Domantas Sabonis
7. Julius Randle
8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
9. James Harden
10. Devin Booker
Embiid's running mate, James Harden, leads the league in assists with 10.9 dimes per game. Harden is also averaging 21.,9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Tyrese Maxey ha emerged as the team's third star, as he is averaging 19.9 points per game. But the difference between this Sixers team and past Sixers teams in their defense. They rank third in the league in the fewest points allowed. They are also first in 3-point shooting percentage.
Pacers fighting for playoffs
The Indiana Pacers find themselves on the outside looking in in the NBA's Eastern Conference playoff race. The Pacers are 32-38, tied for 11th in the conference, one spot out of the play-in tournament. But they are just one-half game behind 10th place Washington and 2 games behind 9th place Toronto. The Bulls are in a virtual tie with the Pacers at 31-37.
Myles Christian Turner pic.twitter.com/zZYA3XNeyk
— PacersMuse (@PacersStatsMuse) March 17, 2023
Indiana is coming off a big 139-123 win over the conference-leading Bucks on Thursday night. They overcame a 53% shooting night from the Bucks, and 25 points and 9 rebounds from Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Pacers had a ridiculous 8 players in double figures on Thursday. Andrew Nembhard led the way for Indiana with 24 points while Aaron Nesmith had 22 points. Buddy Hield chipped in with 20 points.
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Philadelphia 76ers are playing the second night of a back-to-back, on the road, and that is always a tall order. Normally, this would be a spot where you could see Indiana pulling off the upset. But the way the Sixers are playing right now, it doesn't really where or when they play. The Sixers and Embiid are on a mission and they can't afford to lose if they want to catch the Celtics for second place in the conference. Consider this, the 76ers are 8-3 against the spread in their last 11 games playing on 0 day's rest. Meanwhile, the Pacers are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games playing on 1 day's rest. Take the Sixers here to cover.
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Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
The Sixers can beat you any number of ways and in a game like this, back-to-back on the road, they will have to rely on their defense, which ranks third in the NBA. The Pacers, on the other hand, have a potent offense, but they are coming off an emotional win over the Bucks on Thursday and they are not good enough to crank it up again against another upper-echelon team in consecutive games. The under is 6-1 in the 76ers last 7 games playing on 0 days rest. In addition, the under is 7-2 in the Pacers' last 9 games playing on 1 day's rest. Take the under here.
