Philadelphia 76ers vs Indiana Pacers Prediction, Odds, Best Bets - Opening Week

Indiana's injury report is the story before the game is. Four Pacers rotation players are day-to-day, including Tyrese Haliburton, while Philadelphia arrives 3-1 behind the hottest scoring start in the league from Tyrese Maxey. Whether the Pacers are whole decides what kind of game this is.

The Matchup

Philadelphia is 3-1, and Tyrese Maxey has been the best guard in the league's first two weeks. He leads the 76ers at 28.8 points per game, and Philadelphia scores 110.0 and allows 107.0 as a team. Joel Embiid leads the 76ers at 9.7 rebounds per game, and LeBron James, now in Philadelphia, adds 5.7 assists per game as a second creator.

The 76ers went 45-37 last season, and this version has more creation around Embiid than any in years. Philadelphia's absences tonight are at the end of the bench, with Tacko Fall and Dominick Barlow among those out.

Indiana is 2-2 and plays the fastest, loosest games on the board. The Pacers score 116.5 points per game and allow 115.0, and Pascal Siakam leads them at 23.5 points per game, with Ivica Zubac at 9.0 rebounds per game. The injury report is the problem. Tyrese Haliburton is day-to-day tonight with soreness in his left hamstring.

He leads Indiana at 9.5 assists per game, and he did not look like a player sitting out in the Pacers' last game. Keep an eye on whether Haliburton plays before placing a bet. Andrew Nembhard is day-to-day with neck soreness, Aaron Nesmith is day-to-day with a strained left hamstring, Obi Toppin is day-to-day with a sprained left hand, and T.J. McConnell is out with a strained right hamstring.

Indiana went 19-63 last season, a number that says little about a roster this changed, but the Pacers' home games have been shootouts for years. DraftKings makes Philadelphia a 4.5-point road favorite at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with a total of 237.5.

Key Factors

Haliburton's status bends everything. With him, Indiana's pace is a weapon, because he gets the Pacers into offense before Philadelphia's defense is set and Embiid is still crossing half court. Without him, the same pace produces worse shots, and Siakam has to create against a set defense for four quarters. Nembhard's neck matters for the same reason. He is the backup plan at the position, and he is on the same report.

Embiid against Zubac is the heavyweight part of the game. Zubac is one of the few centers who can guard Embiid without a double team, and if Indiana holds that matchup with single coverage, the Pacers can stay home on Maxey's shooters. If Embiid forces doubles, Maxey gets the driving lanes he has been living in, and Philadelphia's offense becomes very hard to slow.

The scoring environment favors the home underdog. A total of 237.5 means points come easily, and easy points forgive a lot of defensive mistakes. Indiana does not need to outplay Philadelphia for four quarters. The Pacers need their usual home pace, a normal Siakam night, and enough Haliburton to keep the offense organized late.

Every pick is published with its line before the game. Odds via consensus sportsbooks at time of writing and move constantly. Must be 21+. If gambling is a problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.