Phoenix Suns Vs. Indiana Pacers: Predictions, Starting Lineups (1/26/24)

After dropping a road game to the Phoenix Suns just five days prior, the Indiana Pacers will look to exact revenge, this time on their home floor. Find our Phoenix Suns vs. Indiana Pacers prediction, betting picks, and complete matchup analysis below!

Phoenix Suns Vs. Indiana Pacers Prediction

Don’t look now, but the Phoenix Suns have won seven consecutive games, four of which were on the road, and all four resulted in double-digit wins. For some reason (that is borderline incomprehensible by sports standards), the Suns are actually a better team away from their home floor, holding a 12-7 record and the fifth-best net rating on the road.

However, the Suns have been even more lethal in their past four road games, decimating opponent after opponent, including their newest rival, Dallas. Phoenix has shot a 55/40/81 split in that stretch, which is nothing short of exceptional. Another aspect of the Suns’ recent road play that has been eyebrow-raising has been their rebounding; they have outrebounded their past four opponents by a combined 36 rebounds.

This is a bad situation for the Pacers for a multitude of reasons. First, they will again be without their All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who does an outstanding job at pushing the pace, protecting the ball, and creating for players within the system that head coach Rick Carlisle has created.

Additionally, the Pacers’ defensive game plan usually involves funneling opponents from the three-point line to the interior and forcing them to take contested shots around the rim or open ones in the mid-range. Unfortunately, the Suns have three of the best mid-range shooters in the league: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant.

Phoenix also has the sixth-highest field goal percentage on drives in the league; the Suns don’t often try to get all the way to the rim, but when they do, they make those shots at a high rate. Further, expect Phoenix to try and impose its own pace (seventh-slowest in the NBA) on the ‘Cers; it is well-coached and disciplined enough to slow the game down if it gets too fast. Grab Phoenix at -4.5 while you can.

Phoenix Suns Vs. Indiana Pacers Prediction: Suns -4.5 (-110)

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Phoenix Suns Vs. Indiana Pacers Best Odds

The Phoenix Suns enter this bout as 4.5-point road favorites against the Indiana Pacers on Friday night. Indiana will be without Tyrese Haliburton once again, which is a contributing factor to why it is a home dog. The Pacers have Moneyline odds of +180 to win outright in front of their own fans, while Phoenix is a -218 favorite to snag a road win and continue climbing the Western Conference rankings.

The point total remains at 243, which would be substantial if Indiana weren’t one of the participating teams in this game; the Pacers rank second in the NBA in pace.

Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup

PG: Devin Booker
SG: Bradley Beal
SF: Grayson Allen
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Jusuf Nurkic

Indiana Pacers Starting Lineup

PG: Andrew Nembhard
SG: Buddy Hield
SF: Aaron Nesmith
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Myles Turner

Phoenix Suns Vs. Indiana Pacers Injuries

The only player listed on the injury report for the Indiana Pacers is the most important one: Tyrese Haliburton will miss this game and at least one more game as he recovers from his scary hamstring injury that, luckily, was not as serious as it looked.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns will have almost all of their normal rotation available, as Bol Bol (foot) and Damion Lee (knee) are the only players who are confirmed to be out for this matchup. Eric Gordon (wrist) will be a game-time decision.