The best version of the Houston Rockets belongs in any NBA championship conversation, but they’ll be without Kevin Durant tonight as they visit the Indiana Pacers.
Though Houston is within touching distance of the No. 2 seed in the West, my Rockets vs. Pacers predictions and NBA picks expect a real fight at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with a healthier Indiana team showing signs of life.
Rockets vs Pacers prediction
Rockets vs Pacers best bet: Andrew Nembhard Over 2.5 rebounds (-140)
Without Tyrese Haliburton, this was always going to feel like a lost season for the Indiana Pacers. Still, a cleaner injury report is at least reigniting the spark that carried Indiana to the 2025 NBA Finals.
Andrew Nembhard is a perfect example. He’s been a difference-maker in recent wins over the Thunder, Bulls, and Hawks, and I’m banking on his grit for my best bet tonight against the Houston Rockets.
Even with Houston’s physicality on the glass, this rebounds O/U line feels too low for Andrew Nembhard. He’s grabbed 5+ boards in each of his last four contests, and this jumps out as a value pick, despite the heavy vig. Nembhard averaged 4.2 rebounds per game in January, and he’s consistently hitting the 30-minute mark in Rick Carlisle’s rotation.
With the visitors running a lot of plays through Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, Nembhard likely won’t see much involvement in those assignments, and he should be well placed to clean up possessions on the glass.
Both these teams are missing their biggest offensive weapons, and some clunky offense could drive big rebounding numbers here. Don’t be surprised if Nembhard is in the middle of that action.
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Rockets vs Pacers same-game parlay
The Under has been a winning ticket in nine of Houston's last 10 games, and now they’ll be trying to find good looks without having Durant as a bailout option. The Pacers have trended towards the Under in a big way this year, and Houston boasts the NBA’s fourth-stingiest defense, allowing just 109.9 ppg.
I’m expecting a solid stat line from Thompson, who should grab a chunk of KD’s shots and rebounds. He averaged 8.3 rpg in January, and he’s gone past this number in five of his past eight contests.
Rockets vs Pacers SGP
- Andrew Nembhard Over 2.5 rebounds
- Under 218.5
- Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Spicy P strikes again!
Siakam’s All-Star nod on a 13-36 Pacers team says it all. He’ll be the hosts’ best path to buckets against a stubborn Houston defense, and he’s finished with 24+ points in six of his last eight games.
Rockets vs Pacers SGP
- Andrew Nembhard Over 2.5 rebounds
- Under 218.5
- Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
- Pascal Siakam Over 23.5 points
Rockets vs Pacers odds
- Spread: Rockets -5.5 | Pacers +5.5
- Moneyline: Rockets -225 | Pacers +190
- Over/Under: Over 218.5 | Under 218.5
Rockets vs Pacers betting trend to know
The Under is 30-19 in Pacers games this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Pacers.
How to watch Rockets vs Pacers
| Location | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN |
| Date | Monday, February 2, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | SCHN, FDSN-Indiana |
Rockets vs Pacers latest injuries
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