NBA betting tips: Three-point shooting to lift Indiana Pacers past Sacramento Kings
The NBA action is set to continue this week as the season draws to a close and the final play-off spots are determined.
Sports News Blitz resident basketball tipster George Dempsey is back with a pair of picks for Monday’s proceedings as the Indiana Pacers play host to the Sacramento Kings.
He is banking on Tyrese Haliburton to exploit the Kings' struggling defence en route to another win for the Pacers.
In-form Pacers target NBA play-offs
The Indiana Pacers (43-31) will look to bolster their winning record when they face the Sacramento Kings (36-38) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday night.
It has been a good season for Indiana as they aim to secure a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference, while the visiting Kings are locked in a three-way battle to pinch a play-in berth.
For the latter, their first order of business is snapping a disappointing five-game losing streak on the road, which continued with a dismal 121-91 defeat to the Orlando Magic over the weekend.
You have to think the Kings could find a way to bounce back from Saturday’s collapse, where they shot just 81 field goals at a poor 42%.
Looking ahead, Malik Monk’s return to the rotation should be a big help after he logged 23 minutes and nine points against the Magic.
Pacers offence is on fire
A Kings victory does seem unlikely when you consider the manner in which the Pacers have powered their way to a 24-10 home record this campaign, scoring close to 117 points per game and showing their teeth defensively.
They have also held three of their last four visitors to 103 or fewer points.
The Pacers' offence is largely flowing because of the contributions of Pascal Siakam and Haliburton, who are averaging 20.5 and 18.6 points respectively.
However, they only went for 29 combined points as Indiana lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder last time out, which means we get to back them in a bounce-back spot.
Before that, they made mincemeat of the poor Washington Wizards, dropping 162 points on a night where nine players scored in double digits and starters were able to enjoy some much-needed rest.
The fact that it was such a cakewalk means Indy have only played out one challenging contest in the past five days, leaving them well-rested for tonight’s match-up.
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Struggling Kings offence at disadvantage
The same cannot be said for Sacramento, who – after locking horns with the Boston Celtics and the Thunder in a back-to-back spot last week – had to put in a big game to get back to winning ways against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday before their weekend trip to Orlando.
Their offence has fallen off a cliff at times recently, but they are managing to match the Pacers' offensive averages this season.
Despite that, the defence is a massive concern, allowing 115.7 points on average.
The fact that they have produced 108 or fewer points in four of five contests is partly down to injuries, but it is still relevant because their struggles have been against good teams, like Indiana, and they are not 100% healthy yet.
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Pacers and Kings could shoot the lights out
There is no doubt the Kings could enjoy a return to form here, and this game could resemble something of a track meet because the Pacers know they will have more opportunities to score.
One of the biggest reasons for that will be their threat from the perimeter – the Kings have struggled to defend the three-point shot all season, which is something the Pacers do extremely well.
The Pacers are shooting more than 37% and rank seventh in the league, while no team allows a greater percentage of three-point shots to drop in than the Kings, who are allowing 38.6% per game.
Another key battle comes as big man Myles Turner looks to contain Domantas Sabonis and prevent him from dominating the glass, but he should be able to get the better of him in the scoring stakes and help Indy on their way.
If Indiana can utilise their defence and find good looks from the perimeter, they should be able to pull away and win this game by double digits.
Suggested bet: Indiana Pacers -5.5 handicap (10/11 – Bet365)
Suggested bet: Tyrese Haliburton to make over 4.5 three-pointers (8/5 – Bet365)
MORE FROM GEORGE DEMPSEY: Why you should bet on the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the NBA Playoffs
