Pacers vs Blazers Prediction, Odds & Player Props (12/4/22)

After picking up a much-needed win last night over the Utah Jazz, the Portland Trail Blazers are set to get a nice personnel boost tonight with Damian Lillard’s expected return to action against the visiting Indiana Pacers.

Lillard has not played since November 19 due to a calf strain, missing Portland’s last seven games.

Last night’s 116-111 win at Utah, in which Anfernee Simons (a career-high 45 points) and Jerami Grant (33 points) combined for over two-thirds of the team’s points, was just the Blazers’ second win in their last nine games. So, Lillard’s comeback will certainly be a welcome sight.

Indiana is in the midst of a seven-game road swing against Western Conference opposition, and it isn’t going particularly well. Were it not for a furious comeback against the Lakers, they would be 0-4, and they have given up 276 points in their last two games.

But will they spoil Lillard’s return to action tonight? Read on for our Pacers vs Blazers prediction, as well as our favorite Indiana vs Portland player prop picks.

Indiana Pacers vs Portland Trail Blazers Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Indiana Pacers (12-10, 5-6 away, 5th in the Eastern Conference) vs Portland Trail Blazers (12-11, 4-5 home, 9th in the Western Conference)
• Venue & Location: Moda Center (Portland, Oregon)
• Date: Sunday, December 4, 2022
• Game Time: 9:00 pm ET (6:00 pm local time)
• How to Watch Pacers vs Blazers: NBA TV

Pacers vs Blazers Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Sunday, December 4, 2022, at 3:15 pm ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• Indiana Pacers +2.5 (-110)
• Portland Trail Blazers -2.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 232 (-110)
• Under 232 (-110)

Moneyline

• Indiana Pacers +118
• Portland Trail Blazers -138

Will Another Defensive Disaster Doom the Pacers in Portland?

With Simons and Grant coming off of big games and Lillard set to be back on the floor, things look a bit ominous for Indiana, even with Portland on a back-to-back.

Against Utah, Simons made 15 of 25 shots from the field, including 7 of 12 from three, as he hit the 30-point mark for the fifth time this season.

In nine home games this season, Simons is averaging 25.2 PPG and is shooting 44.1 percent from three and 45.8 percent from three. By comparison, he is averaging 24.5 PPG and shooting 35.0 percent from three and 42.6 percent from the field in 12 road games.

While last night marked the seventh time he has hit four or more threes on the road thus far this season, he has already reached that number at home, and in three fewer games.

That sharpshooting raises alarm bells with regards to the Pacers, who allowed 16 threes on 37.2 percent shooting in a 137-114 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday and 15 threes on 44.1 percent shooting in Friday’s 139-119 loss to the Jazz.

Will Lillard get in on the perimeter party tonight for Portland? After missing seven games, expectations shouldn’t be too high for the impact that Lillard might have tonight.

But shooters shoot, and he’s going to be firing away however long he’s on the floor. He has attempted at least seven threes and a dozen shots overall in every game this season, and even in just 27 minutes against the Jazz in his most recent game, he put up 12 threes and 14 shots total.

Indiana Pacers vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction

Pacers vs Blazers Prediction: Blazers to win

Indiana Pacers vs Portland Trail Blazers Player Props

As of 3:15 pm ET, there still aren’t a lot of props available. It remains to be seen how much that will change before gametime, but with the Pacers not faring well defensively, three-pointer props for Simons and Lillard–if he does in fact play tonight–should be considered.

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