Pacers vs Rockets

Kevin Durant and the Rockets are overwhelming moneyline favorites at -1105, and it’s hard to argue against Houston taking care of business at home against a Pacers team on an eight-game skid and sitting at a league-worst 6-26 while the Rockets have won two straight to reach 19-10. Indiana is not only without Tyrese Haliburton for the entire season due to an Achilles injury and Obi Toppin with a foot issue, but also has multiple rotation pieces either out or questionable, whereas Houston’s only major long-term loss is Fred VanVleet, with Alperen Sengun merely listed as questionable for this one. Even if Sengun is limited, his history of efficiency against Indiana and Durant’s long-term dominance versus the Pacers’ defense give Houston a huge talent and continuity edge, and with Toyota Center rocking and the Rockets’ form trending up, the only real downside here is the thin payout on such a massive favorite, which keeps this from an A or A+ despite its very high win probability. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 29/12/2025 09:51

Houston’s explosive, top-three offense makes Over 222 at -104 appealing, as the Rockets are averaging over 120 points per game with elite efficiency from the field and beyond the arc, while the Pacers’ league-worst offense and bottom-tier shooting numbers are partially offset by their 22nd-ranked defense, poor defensive rebounding, and heavy foul rate that keeps opponents living at the line. Even with Haliburton out and Indiana struggling badly to score, Pascal Siakam and Bennedict Mathurin still create enough usage to take advantage of garbage-time minutes against Houston’s bench, and the Rockets themselves have recently hung comfortable double-digit wins on playoff-caliber teams like the Lakers and Cavaliers while pushing totals into the high teens or low 120s on their own. Sengun’s questionable calf status and the risk of a blowout-induced pace slowdown keep this from being a higher-confidence play, but the combination of Houston’s offensive profile, Indiana’s defensive issues, and the likelihood that the Rockets can flirt with 120+ again gives the Over solid value at this number, worthy of a B grade. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 29/12/2025 09:51

Houston laying -15 at -103 is a big number, but the Rockets’ recent double-digit wins, depth around Durant and Sengun, and strong home form make them capable of covering against a Pacers squad that has been routinely blown out during its eight-game losing streak, including recent losses by 18-plus to Boston and 26 at Miami. With Haliburton out for the year, Toppin sidelined, and frontcourt pieces like Isaiah Jackson unavailable, Indiana is leaning heavily on Siakam, Mathurin, and Andrew Nembhard just to stay functional, and that thin rotation has repeatedly worn down late in games, exactly when Houston’s mix of wing defenders (Dorian Finney-Smith, Tari Eason, Josh Okogie) and energetic guards like Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard tend to break things open. The risk here is obvious: if the Rockets build a 20-point cushion early, Udoka could throttle back minutes, open the door to a backdoor cover, or see variance from three-point shooting swing the final margin, so while Houston -15 is still the side I prefer given the matchup, form, and injuries, the combination of high volatility and a lofty spread keeps this at a B- rather than something stronger. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 29/12/2025 09:51