The Indiana Pacers took a major step forward last season. Although they finished 11th in the Eastern Conference, managing only 35 wins, Pacers fans have a lot to be excited about — especially if you consider oddsmakers set their win-total at 24.5 ahead of the 2022-23 season. As the chief architect of the team’s turn around, Tyrese Haliburton was rewarded with a new five-year contract that could net him up to $260 million. With Halliburton leading a crop of exciting young players, Pacers faithful can’t wait for the team’s first regular season game — a home match-up against the Washington Wizards on October 25th. But how will the Indiana Pacers fare this season?
With Kentucky sports betting finally legal across the state, here at BetKentucky.com we figured it would be fitting to consider the Pacer’s prospects for the new season through the lens of the 38.5 win-total set by oddsmakers ahead of the 2023-24 season. In order to hit the over, the Indiana Pacers would have to win 39 games — or four more than last season. If they can manage that, expect to see the Indiana Pacers competing in the 2024 play in tournament. But how accurate have bookmaker’s historical win-totals been for the Indiana Pacers?
MORE: Best NBA Betting Sites
Pacers Season Win Total History
To find out, we consulted SportsOddsHistory.com to see how the Pacer’s initial win-total has compared to their final win/loss record on the year. You’ll find that information in the chart below, where we’ve record the results for each season dating back to 2010-2011. The COVID-19 suspended 2019-20 season was not included in the data, but we did consider the lock-out shortened 2011-12 season. Here is some insight that may help you with your Kentucky sports betting apps decisions:
Pacers Expected to Exceed Win Total
As you can see, the Indiana Pacers are no strangers to out performing their win total. Since the 2010-11 season, they have exceeded bookmaker’s expectations eight times — that’s 66.67% of the time. What’s more, in the five seasons the Pacers have had a win total below 40, they’ve hit the over each time. As a reminder, Kentucky sportsbooks currently have the Indiana Pacers at 38.5 wins.
The Pacers were particularly proficient in cashing overs during the Paul George-era in Indiana. Drafted 10th overall, George played seven seasons with the Pacers from 2010 to 2017. During that span, the team won their division twice (2013 and 2014), appeared in three straight Eastern Conference finals (2012-2014), and only went under their projected win-total two times (during the 2012-13 and 2016-17 seasons).
Following George’s departure, the Pacers were expected to tumble into a re-build, but the arrival of Lithuanian-American big-man Domantas Sabonis kept them afloat. Coming over as part of the Paul George trade, Sabonis helped lead Indiana to 48 wins in 2017-18, easily eclipsing the 31.5 wins oddsmakers like DraftKings Sportsbook Kentucky pegged them for ahead of the season.
The Pacers would beat their win total once again the following season, but as fans know, the wheels began to fall off during the 2021-22 campaign — leading to the midseason ousting of Sabonis and the acquisition of Haliburton. Now Haliburton will be joined on the court by 2022 6th overall pick Bennedict Mathurin, and second round pick Andrew Nembhard — who both showed major upside in their rookie season. For his part, Mathurin broke the Pacers record for the most three-pointers in a season by a rookie.
Ahead of a what should be an exciting year for Pacer fans, stick with BetKentucky.com. Now that sports betting is live, we’ll be bringing you the latest NBA Finals odds and analysis all season long to pair with the best Kentucky sportsbook promo codes for you to use.
