Sixers vs. Pacers Betting Preview (August 1, 2020)

On Saturday night, the Sixers and Pacers resume their respective seasons following a nearly five-month pause in the NBA season due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Let’s get into our Sixers-Pacers betting preview, including odds, boosts, and picks.

Preview

The Pacers and Sixers both enter play with identical 39-26 records, though Indiana holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Sixers, having won two of the three matchups this season.

The Sixers edged out the Pacers in the teams’ first meeting in November, a 119-116 victory that saw Joel Embiid lead both teams in points (32) and rebounds (11).

Embiid missed the teams’ second matchup on December 31, one in which the team’s leading scorer was Josh Richardson with just 20 points. That 115-97 result was by far the biggest blowout of the three matchups.

Joel Embiid also missed the most recent of the Philly/Indiana games, a 101-95 loss on January 13.

It’s safe to say that the Sixers’ chances of vaulting past the Pacers in the Eastern Conference standings will ride on Joel Embiid’s availability– after tweaking his right calf in the team’s first exhibition game in Orlando.

On the flip side, Indiana guard Victor Oladipo is expected to suit up for the Pacers. Oladipo made headlines when he initially opted out of the NBA’s resumption of play, but reversed course and looked solid in three exhibition games in Orlando.

Sixers vs. Pacers Odds

Here’s the line for the Sixers and Pacers at DraftKings Sportsbook PA:

• Spread: Sixers -5.5, Pacers +5.5
• Moneyline: Sixers -230, Pacers +190
• Total: 213

Bets We Like With a Sixers or Pacers Win

Sixers or Pacers to Win (Odds Boost +500, DraftKings)

DraftKings Sportsbook is running an unbelievable promotion allowing users to pick one game from the NBA’s opening weekend to boost to +500 odds. Simply choose the game, opt-in to the promotion, pick an outright winner, and enjoy the game. In a tight game like we expect to see Saturday, this could be worth your time to check out.

You can get either the Sixers or Pacers to win at 5-1 (+500 odds) with DraftKings by clicking here. It’s available to all users.

Any Sixers Bet (76 to 1 Odds FOX Bet)

FOX Bet is rolling out a ridiculous 76 to 1 odds offer on any Sixers bet in August. Sign up using the links here depending on your state and place your first bet for $1 on any Sixers single game bet. You’ll be credited $76 win or lose.

Bets We Like With a Sixers Win

FiveThirtyEight gives the Sixers an 68% chance of winning with a -4.5 point line.

Sixers Win and Over 213 Total Points (+190, DraftKings)

This comes back to the health of Joel Embiid and his likely inclusion Brett Brown’s starting lineup. Embiid should feast on an interior defense missing Domantas Sabonis. Sure, Myles Turner could try to use his incredible 7’4″ wingspan to limit Joel Embiid’s effectiveness close to the rim, but I expect Embiid to utilize newfound space along the perimeter created by Shake Milton’s inclusion in the starting five. In two games without Embiid, the teams racked up a combined 206 and 212 points, while they blew that number out of the water with 235 points in Embiid’s only appearance. Add to that the fact that only one game in the NBA’s opening weekend has failed to reach at least 210 points, and you’re looking at a relatively safe bet.

You can get this one at DraftKings Sportsbook by clicking here.

Bets We Like Independent of Outcome

Ben Simmons Scoring Special (DraftKings)

This is a nifty special promo that hinges on Ben Simmons scoring the first field goal of the game. If Simmons scores the first field goal of the Sixers/Pacers game, you’ll receive $1 towards a free bet for every point, rebound, and assist Ben Simmons records in the game. In order to qualify for this promo, you’ll need to bet at least $25 on Simmons to record the first field goal. It could be lucrative. In three previous matchups with the Pacers, Simmons has averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. If he hits those numbers, you’d be looking at $35 in free bets.

You can get this one at DraftKings Sportsbook by clicking here.

Sixers vs. Pacers Prediction

Pick: There’s cautious optimism in Philadelphia that the NBA’s pause could pay huge dividends for a Sixers team that had stagnated and was facing a realistic possibility of missing Ben Simmons for a lengthy period of time due to a back injury.

Fast-forward nearly five months and their star point guard turned power forward will be in the lineup alongside the team’s franchise center with a real shot at contending for the Larry O’Brien trophy. Embiid should prove too dominant to handle and lead his team to a win in a somewhat high-scoring affair.

Take the Sixers and over 213 points.