NBA: Pacers (+5.5) @ Spurs $$
I got down on this line early before it was announced that Dejounte Murray is out for this matchup. Since then this line has moved all the way down to Spurs (-2), but I would still be a buyer at that number.
Murray is the clear leader for the Spurs and is simply not someone who is easily replaced. San Antonio has multiple problems beyond the absence of Murray with Keldon Johnson and Jakob Poeltl also listed as out for this matchup. Those are the three best players for the Spurs and 3/5ths of their starting lineup. Some teams can over such losses but the Spurs are not one of them. They simply do not have the bench depth.
The Spurs also suffer from the affliction of not being able to finish close games. Their 26-41 record is an indication of their inability to finish. I am more inclined to take them as dogs rather than small favourites as they are in this matchup.
The Pacers have been up and down since the blockbuster trade of Sabonis for Haliburton. But overall I am bullish on the direction of the Pacers and their young talent. With the multiple key injuries for San Antonio, I am confident they should be the better team tonight and I question why they are still underdogs. This shapes up well for them to take advantage of a short-handed and uninspired Spurs team.
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Legend $ – one-unit bet, $$ – two-unit bet, $$$ – three-unit bet
NBA Odds provided by Odds Shark. Posted lines are of writing time.
