Pacers vs Nets Picks and Predictions: Haliburton Torches Brooklyn's Defense Again

Well, the season hasn't even passed the official two-week mark, and we already have our first ounce of drama pouring out of Brooklyn.

The Nets, struggling with a 1-5 record, have no true identity, and head coach Steve Nash could be looking for new employment sooner than later if nothing improves. Add Kyrie Irving's recent Instagram activities that have garnered accusations of antisemitism, and we have a full-blown crisis in Brooklyn. How will all of this impact the team in the immediate future? 

The Indiana Pacers are back at the Barclays Center for another battle after coming out with a 125-116 victory last Saturday. The Nets must focus, tighten up their defense and tap into some team chemistry immediately or the results will be much of the same. 

Find out the best bet with our free NBA betting picks and predictions for the Nets vs. Pacers on Monday, October 31.

Pacers vs Nets best odds

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Pacers vs Nets picks and predictions

For all the issues that persistently exist within the Brooklyn Nets organization, defensive lapses may be the biggest problem. Opposing stars are having zero issues scoring in bunches against this suspect defense that has shown no signs of improving. 

Tyrese Haliburton is emerging as a true star in the NBA and as the lead man on the Indiana Pacers, which puts him in an ideal spot to have a big game against the Nets. The third-year guard is averaging 23.4 points per game, proving to be a dangerous scoring option who will look to feast on a Nets defense giving up 122.2 points per game (last in the NBA). 

Last Saturday, Haliburton poured in 26 points, feasting on the Nets from the perimeter, making 6 of 10 attempts from 3-point range. For the season, Brooklyn is giving up an absurd 43.8% from behind the arc to opponents — last in the NBA. That number is over nine percentile points worse than last season. 

Someone has a massive game against the Nets every night, and it's more often than not the team's star player. Recently, Luka Don?i? scored 41 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 43, and Ja Morant and Desmond Bane combined for 76. Haliburton's success against the Nets this season, combined with the turmoil within the organization, makes this defense vulnerable to another big game from the emerging star guard.

My best bet: Tyrese Haliburton Over 20.5 points (-104)

Pacers vs Nets spread analysis

The Nets are hovering around -8 to -9 over the Pacers in current NBA odds, primarily due to reputation. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving remain two of the most prolific scorers in basketball today. Irving is scoring 30.5 points per game, while Durant is at 32. Combining these offensive juggernauts against a leaky Pacers defense sounds like a recipe for an easy cover until you realize it isn't. 

For one, the Pacers just handed the Nets their fifth loss after winning 125-116 at the Barclays Center. Brooklyn has no interior presence, with Nic Claxton trying to man the center position. Myles Turner, who missed Saturday's game due to rest, will likely return to the lineup tonight and will be a significant problem for a team with no answers for anyone around the rim. Turner is coming off his strongest game of the season, scoring 27 points and grabbing 10 rebounds against the Washington Wizards. He will be a consistent problem for the Nets that already struggled to contain Indiana even with him not suiting up last week. 

Brooklyn needs a win in the worst way and may secure it tonight, but asking a team with no true identity to cover such a large spread doesn't make much sense. Expect a combination of Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Turner to keep this one close.

Pacers vs Nets Over/Under analysis

When observing the 236.5 Over/Under number, you may consider the Under. However, all under considerations are out the window when you look at how putrid each defense has been this year. 

Let's start with Indiana. The Pacers have yet to hold a team below 114 points in any game this season. That's very concerning, considering some of the teams they've faced include Washington, San Antonio, and Detroit. Brooklyn just scored 116 points on the Pacers and might score even more tonight as the Nets will be motivated to get a win. At 43.4%, The Pacers have the second-worst defensive percentage against 3-pointers, and the Nets have the perimeter shooting to make them pay. 

On the other side, Brooklyn has been an embarrassment on the defensive side of the ball. Ben Simmons was supposed to be its defensive champion, helping to solidify a unit with his one-through-five versatility and pedigree as a 2x NBA All-Defensive First Team player. That hasn't panned out yet, with Simmons giving them much of nothing on that end of the court, already fouling out in two games this season. 

With Simmons not playing up to par, the Nets don't have a true defensive stopper, and that will prove costly against a Pacers team with some firepower on the perimeter. The Over is a very tempting play in this one.

Pacers vs Nets betting trend to know

The Over is 10-2 in the Pacers' last 12 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in its previous game. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Nets.

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