NBA Line Betting: Indiana pick up pace as race hots up

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 03 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Indiana's Dwight Granger has been in great form recently

"Indiana can continue their march to the post-season with victory over the injury-hit Knicks.The Pacers should be priced at around [1.9] with the -5.5 handicap."

As the race for the post-season throws up some intriguing Tuesday night matches, Nick Shiambouros provides shrewd handicap betting advice.

New York Knicks v Indiana Pacers

The Knicks are 27-26 and are in eighth place in the East. The absence of Jeremy Lin, who is out for at least six weeks with a knee injury, is a crushing blow for the Knicks who will have to make some major adjustments in a hurry.

Without Lin in the rotation, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler will have to play more minutes and increase their production.

The Pacers are 31-21 and are fifth in the East. They're coming off Sunday night's 104-102 overtime victory over Houston in which Danny Granger made a couple of huge free throws late on.

Indiana has been in cracking form lately and has pulled to within one-and-a-half games of third placed Orlando in the Eastern Conference. They can continue their march to the post-season with a victory over the injury hit Knicks.They should be priced at around [1.9] with the -5.5 handicap.

Philadelphia 76ers v Miami Heat

The 76ers are 29-23 and are seventh in the East. On Saturday, they beat Atlanta 95-90 with a gritty display. Coach Doug Collins has done a tremendous job with his young team and they have a real chance of making the post-season.

The Heat are 37-14 and three games behind Eastern Conference leaders Chicago. On Sunday Miami was spanked 91-72 by the resurgent Boston Celtics. This was a poor effort from Miami who were comprehensively beaten in every department.

I expect Miami to bounce back on their home court where they have won 15 in a row. They have been almost impossible to beat at the American Airlines Arena and have won 10 straight against Philadelphia. They should be priced at around [2.0] with the -9 handicap.

Orlando Magic v Detroit Pistons

The Magic are 32-21 and are third in the East. The Magic may start the game without Dwight Howard who is dealing with back spasms. Glen Davis will probably replace Howard in the post but the situation is by no means ideal. Without him in the rotation, Orlando could really struggle.

The Pistons are 19-33 and have little chance of making the post-season. On Saturday Detroit beat Charlotte 110-107 in overtime. This was a huge effort by the Pistons who erased an eight point deficit with less than two minutes left in regulation to force overtime.

Detroit could cause an upset. They are playing decent basketball and should be able to take advantage of an Orlando team that's lost three in a row. The Pistons should be backed at around [1.9] with the +4.5 handicap.

Recommended Bets
Back Indiana Pacers at [1.9] with advertised handicap -5.5 1pt
Back Miami Heat at [2.0] with advertised handicap -9 2 pts
Back Detroit Pistons at [1.97] with advertised handicap +4.5 1pt

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Eerie Indiana emerge from the wilderness

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 08 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Danny Granger in combative mode

"Indiana have played some decent basketball during first half of the season and are currently in eighth place in the Eastern Conference."

After a few indifferent seasons, the Indiana Pacers are back in play-off contention. Nick Shiambouros is backing them to beat struggling opposition this weekend...

Founded in 1967 by a group of investors, the Indiana Pacers played in the American Basketball Association and won three championships over nine years. In 1976 they joined the NBA when the two leagues merged.

The Pacers found life very difficult in the NBA and finished their inaugural season with a record of 36-46.The team struggled for many years due to a lack of funding and poor season ticket sales.

In 1987, Reggie Miller was drafted from UCLA and a new era began. Miller quickly became a household name with his outstanding three point shooting ability and court vision. Miller helped Indiana become one of the elite teams in basketball during the 90's.

In the 1999-2000 season the Pacers won the Eastern Conference and a trip to the NBA finals to play Los Angeles. They lost the series 4-2 but were certainly not disgraced against a very deep Laker team. Five years later, Reggie Miller retired, after 18 glorious years with Indiana.

Since the departure of Miller, the Pacers have spent time in the wilderness but there are signs that things are improving. They have played some decent basketball during first half of the season and are currently in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

The current team is led by Danny Granger who is one of the most improved players in the game. Granger was drafted in 2005 and his scoring average has soared in the past few seasons. He is averaging over 20 points per game and is clearly the future of this team.
Another player who has improved significantly is shooting guard Mike Dunleavy, one of the most consistent players in the rotation and a real workhorse. He has developed a good understanding with Danny Granger and is a real asset to the team.

The Pacers signed college superstar Tyler Hansbrough in 2009 but his rookie season was cut short due to a series of inner ear problems. Hansbrough has recovered from injury and is enjoying a decent year for Indiana, averaging over seven points per game. He is a strong presence inside the painted area and is one of the reasons the Pacers are in playoff contention.

The Pacers have a couple of relatively easy games coming up this weekend against some modest opposition. On Friday, they host the Minnesota Timberwolves who are having another dreadful season in last place in the Western Conference and have won just 12 games all season long.

On Saturday Indiana travel to Milwaukee who have a record of 19-30. The Bucks are not playing with a great deal of intensity and are currently on a four game losing streak.

I think Indiana has an outstanding chance of winning both these games and I will be backing them accordingly. They have a realistic chance of making the playoffs for the first time since 2006.This is a talented team that will only get better with time.

Recommended bets:
Friday February 11 - back Indiana with advertised handicap v Minnesota
Saturday February 12 - back Indiana in the match odds market v Milwaukee

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