NBA Expert Pick – Indiana Pacers at Houston Rockets

Indiana Pacers at Houston Rockets

There are two pieces of big news for this game and an additional third piece that has relevance as well. One we already have and the other two are forthcoming. Center Clint Capela is already ruled out for the Rockets and that is the biggest piece of news. Guard Russell Westbrook will be sitting out one half of the Rockets current back to back for rest purposes and that could ultimately be this game. Also notable is Danuel House is dountful for the Rockets, who will be thin even if Westbrook plays. Myles Turner remains out for the Pacers as does Jeremy Lamb, but Goga Bitadze will return and the front line of the Pacers will very much be able to have their way in this one, lead by Domantis Sabonis. The Pacers will simply need to slightly slow Harden (and the pace) who will not be able to get the help needed in this one and this is a game the Pacers can win outright, let alone cover. Take this very live dog on Friday night.

Our favorites were not kind on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, the Celtics won by 7 while laying 9. Bradley Beal had a huge game that saw him have high efficiency on high volume and it was just enough to block the cover in a game that was never in jeopardy for the Celtics. On Thursday, we got unfortunate confirmation that the Knicks are kryptonite for the Mavericks. Dennis Smith took over the lead at point guard and it seemed to make a massive difference for the Knicks as Frank Ntilikina is confirmed a very low level NBA player and he had been handling point guard duties in the absence of Elfrid Payton. A fairly ugly showing on both ends of the floor for the Mavs that saw little contribution from players not named Doncic and Porzingis.

0-2 brings us to 16-10 on the season.

TJ Calkins was raised in a gambling loving household. He knew how to handicap horse races and follow line movements well before his tenth birthday.