The Phoenix Suns (43-13), the highest scoring team in the NBA, have been installed as a -5 ½ point favorite at most offshore sportsbooks as they travel to Indianapolis to take on the Indiana Pacers (29-26) in Conseco Fieldhouse tonight with tip-off at 7 p.m. EST.Â
With two losses in a row and five in their last eight games, the Pacers and their slumping defense must face the highest-scoring team in the NBA in what Jermaine O’Neal characterized as make-or-break time for the team.
"If you were just basing it off our previous games you'd say we don't really have a shot at guarding them on the perimeter," said O'Neal. "But I think it really comes down to our will, how much we really want to not only stop these guys but win a game. That's really where we stand right now. Our will hasn't been strong enough to win games."
The Pacers have allowed at least 100 points to eight of their last nine opponents, who are averaging 106.8 points, .480 shooting overall and a stunning .463 from the 3-point line in that span. They've allowed quarters of at least 36 points in each of the last three games, including 40-pointers to Toronto and Sacramento.  Â
Enter the Suns, who average 111.1 points per game and are two victories away from becoming the first team in NBA history to sweep its non-conference road schedule. Phoenix is 13-0 on the road against the East; the final game comes Wednesday in Philadelphia.
For the Suns, the game against the Pacers is the third of the current four game road trip. Phoenix has covered the first two, -6 at Minnesota on Thursday (Feb. 23) and – 8 ½ at Atlanta on Sunday (Feb. 25). The over has cashed in game totals in three straight games the Suns have played.Â
The Pacers have lost two straight against the spread but have won three of five straight up. The over has cashed in totals betting in three of the last five Pacers games.
