Indiana Pacers vs Portland Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions November 27th 2024

Pacers vs Trail Blazers November 27th 2024

At 7:00 ET, the Pacers (-523) will host the Trail Blazers (+395) in a non-conference matchup. Indiana is currently favored by 10.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 232.

Portland is 7-11 on the season and 13th in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Pacers are 8-10 and have won two straight games. This game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Trail Blazers vs. Pacers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Portland Trail Blazers at Indiana Pacers
• Where: Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
• Date: Wednesday, November 27th
• Betting Odds IND -10.5, POR +395 | IND -523 O/U 232

The Trail Blazers Can Win If…

Portland’s struggles continued on Monday as they fell to 7-11 on the season with a 123-98 road loss to the Grizzlies. The Blazers entered the game as +10.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game came in at 221, falling short of the 232-point line.

Memphis jumped out to a 36-24 lead after the 1st quarter. Portland edged the Grizzlies 30-29 in the 2nd quarter, but Memphis extended their lead by outscoring the Blazers 27-21 in the 3rd. The Grizzlies put the game away in the 4th, outscoring Portland 31-23.

The Trail Blazers struggled offensively in their 123-98 loss to the Grizzlies, shooting just 33.3% from the field. Their three-point shooting was particularly poor, connecting on only 8 threes at a 17.4% rate.

Deni Avdija led the Blazers with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Shaedon Sharpe added 15 points. Dalano Banton and Jerami Grant each contributed 11 points, with Grant scoring 9 of his points in the 1st quarter.

The Trail Blazers struggled defensively against the Grizzlies, allowing 123 points on 49% shooting. Portland gave up 36 points in the 1st quarter and 31 in the 4th.

From three, the Grizzlies hit 12 threes at a 42% clip. The Trail Blazers also sent Memphis to the line 34 times, where they made 25 free throws.

• Although Portland has a straight up record of 1-4 in their last five road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 98 points per game in these games.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the underdog, the Trail Blazers have a straight up record of 4-6. Their record vs the spread in these games was 5-5.
• Over their last five games, the Trail Blazers have an over/under record of 0-5 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Pacers Can Win If…

The Pacers improved to 8-10 on the season with a 114-110 win over the Pelicans on Monday. Playing at home, Indiana was favored by 8 points but didn’t cover the spread. The total score of 224 points narrowly missed the over/under line of 227.

Indiana jumped out to a 27-13 lead but allowed New Orleans to go on an 11-0 run. The Pacers regained control, leading 87-83 entering the 4th quarter, where both teams scored 27 points.

Tyrese Haliburton’s 9 threes and 34 points, along with 13 assists, led the Pacers to a win over the Pelicans. He shot 50% from deep, hitting 9 threes, and added 10 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.

As a team, the Pacers hit 17 threes at a 36.2% rate, with an overall FG% of 47.3%. Myles Turner contributed 17 points, 7 of which came in the 4th quarter.

Even with the Pelicans shooting 51% from the field, the Pacers held them to 110 points, thanks in part to limiting New Orleans to just 9 made threes on 27% shooting from deep. Indiana gave up 25 points in the 1st quarter, 32 in the 2nd, 26 in the 3rd, and 27 in the 4th.

The Pacers sent the Pelicans to the line 19 times, where they made 11 free throws. Indiana also collected 34 defensive rebounds, allowing 8 offensive boards, and added 10 steals and 2 blocks.

• In their last five games at home, the Pacers have a straight up record of 0-5 while going 0-5 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 104 points per game in these contests.
• Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Pacers have a straight up record of 5-5. But, their mark vs the spread was just 3-6-1.
• In their last five games, the Pacers have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 2-2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

As the underdogs with a spread of +10.5, we recommend going with the Trail Blazers on the point spread. We not only see them covering the spread but also have a strong likelihood of winning this one outright, especially if you’re seeking a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 232 and our model has the Trail Blazers and Pacers finishing with a combined 259 points. Our pick is to take the over.

Daily NBA Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Handicappers

Pacers Look to Maintain Momentum Against Injury-Riddled Trail Blazers

The Indiana Pacers aim to continue their high-scoring dominance as they host the struggling Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. While the Pacers are riding a wave of momentum with back-to-back wins, the Trail Blazers limp into Indianapolis battered by injuries and a grueling road schedule.

Trail Blazers Battle Injuries and Fatigue

Portland’s current five-game road trip has been marred by injuries to key players. The team suffered a resounding 123-98 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, a game that saw two more starters—Jerami Grant (knee) and Robert Williams III (concussion)—join an already lengthy injury list. Scoot Henderson, Kris Murray, Matisse Thybulle, Donovan Clingan, and Deandre Ayton were already sidelined.

Coach Chauncey Billups acknowledged the challenge of fielding a competitive lineup under such circumstances.
“We hung in there. Couldn’t make shots. We just, at the end of the day, didn’t have enough bodies,” he said after Monday’s defeat.

Portland faces the added fatigue of playing their fifth game in eight days, making their uphill battle even steeper.

Pacers’ Offensive Firepower Shines

In stark contrast, the Pacers have found their rhythm offensively. Indiana has scored 111 or more points in seven consecutive games, including recent wins over the Washington Wizards (115 points) and New Orleans Pelicans (114 points). The team’s balanced scoring attack has been a hallmark of their success, with key contributions from Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam.

Haliburton rebounded from a shooting slump with a commanding 34-point, 13-assist performance against the Pelicans, demonstrating his ability to lead the team under pressure. His improvement comes after a challenging five-game stretch in which he shot just 32.9% from the field.
“It’s part of basketball. I’ve just gotta keep trusting myself, working hard. I’ll figure it out,” Haliburton said.

Meanwhile, Siakam has been a model of consistency, recording a combined 36 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists in Indiana’s last two games. His presence has provided stability on both ends of the floor.

Portland’s Struggles on the Road

Despite their 21-win season last year, Portland managed to sweep Indiana in their two-game series, thanks in large part to Jerami Grant’s standout performances of 34 and 37 points. However, with Grant’s status uncertain, replicating that success seems unlikely.

The Trail Blazers are also struggling to find offensive cohesion. Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe, two of Portland’s brightest young talents, combined for just 20 points on 6-for-26 shooting against Memphis. Their inconsistency has been a recurring issue, further complicating Portland’s efforts to stay competitive.

Key Matchups and Outlook

1. Haliburton vs. Portland’s Defense:
   With Haliburton rediscovering his offensive rhythm, Portland’s depleted roster will be hard-pressed to contain him. His ability to facilitate and score makes him a central threat.
2. Siakam’s All-Around Game:
   Siakam’s versatility gives the Pacers an edge in rebounding and playmaking, particularly against a Trail Blazers squad missing key big men like Deandre Ayton.
3. Portland’s Young Core:
   For the Trail Blazers to keep the game close, Simons and Sharpe must step up offensively and improve their shooting efficiency.

Historical Context

The Pacers haven’t swept Portland in a season series since 2008, a streak they’ll look to end on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are struggling to replicate the flashes of promise they showed last season. Their January win over Indiana marked their 12th victory of the season, but they collapsed afterward, finishing 9-32.

Indiana, on the other hand, used last season’s struggles as a springboard to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. With players like Siakam and Haliburton leading the way, the Pacers are well-positioned to capitalize on Portland’s misfortunes.

Conclusion

The Pacers come into Wednesday’s matchup as heavy favorites, armed with a potent offense and bolstered by recent strong performances from their stars. In contrast, the injury-plagued Trail Blazers face an uphill battle, relying on their young core to shoulder the load in a challenging environment. As Portland looks to salvage some pride before heading home for Thanksgiving, Indiana seems poised to secure another convincing victory.