Pacers vs Spurs Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Thursday, March 2nd

Check out our free Pacers vs Spurs pick and preview for this NBA game in San Antonio. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Pacers vs Spurs NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Indiana Pacers at San Antonio Spurs
Where: San Antonio at AT&T Center
Date: Thursday, March 2nd
Betting Odds SA +4.5, IND -194 | SA +160 O/U 238.5

So far, the Pacers have put together an overall record of 28-35, while going 34-28-1 vs the spread. Against the Spurs, the Pacers are looking to add to their current 2 game winning streak. Team has an average scoring margin of 7.5 in these matchups.

Indiana is going for yet another win, as they previously defeated the Mavericks. With the 124-122 victory, they also covered the spread as 9 point underdogs. Indiana will look to do a better job putting teams away down the stretch, as they let the Mavericks get back into the game after leading by 10 points at halftime. Leading the team in scoring was Tyrese Haliburton, as he contributed 32 points while hitting 50.0% of his shots.

The Spurs come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 15-47. So far, the team has gone 25-37-0 against the spread. Looking back on Spurs’ previous 3 games, they have a record of 1-2 while averaging 106 points per game. Over this stretch, their ATS mark is 1-2.

San Antonio is going for yet another win, as they previously defeated the Jazz at home. With the 102-94 victory, they also covered the spread as 9 point underdogs. San Antonio went into halftime with a narrow 2 point lead before being able to slightly add to that margin by the games end. In the win, Keldon Johnson led the team in scoring with 25 points on a field goal percentage of 63.2%.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Spurs picked up the win 137-134 win over the Pacers. Heading into the game, San Antonio was the 1.0 point underdogs, giving them an ATS win. This has been the only matchup between the two teams this season. In last year’s head-to-head meetings, the Pacers averaged 125.0 points per game vs San Antonio, which was an increase over their season-long average. While the Pacers saw a boost in scoring, the Spurs averaged 113.0 points per contest in head-to-head meeting vs Indiana. This figure was similar to season-long average. Through the last 5 matchups between the teams, Indiana has an ATS mark of 3-2. But, looking at the scoring margin in these games, an average of just 2 points per game separates the teams. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 3-2. Combined, they averaged 244 points in these games.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

Coming into today’s action, Indiana is averaging 115.1 points per contest. This figure places them 12th in the league. The Pacers come into the game as one of the league’s better 3-point shooting teams, connecting at a rate of 13.9 made 3’s per game. In addition to their strong outside shooting numbers, the team is playing at one of the fastest paces in the NBA, averaging 100.4 possessions per contest.

Currently, the Pacers defense is ranked 26th in points allowed. So far, opposing teams are averaging 114.94 points per game vs the unit.

Small-Forward Buddy Hield currently leads the Pacers at 17.3 points per game. For the season, he is 141st in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 15.0% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, Hield is averaging 4.9 boards and 2.7 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 27th ranked defense at defending small-forwards. Bennedict Mathurin enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 63 games, he is averaging 17.1 and is 187th in the league in player efficiency rating.

This season, the San Antonio offense has had their problems scoring the ball as they are a below average unit at 112.2 points per game. Coming into today’s game, the Spurs will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 10.5 made 3’s per game. If the San Antonio offense is going to turn things around, not only do they need to improve their outside shooting but they must do a better job protecting the ball. Currently, they are averaging 15.0 turnovers per game.

On defense, the Spurs will look for some improved play, as they are currently the 23rd ranked unit in points allowed per game.

Right now there are question marks across the board heading into this game for the Spurs as there is a chance they will be without their two leading scorers vs the Pacers. Before getting any money down on this game, be sure to check who is available, as Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones have a combined scoring average of 34.6 points per game. For the season, Johnson is 120th in the NBA in player efficiency and 1st in usage percentage. Through 55 games, he has a field goal percentage of 45.0%. If he is able to take the floor, he will be facing a defense that is 11th in points allowed to small-forwards.