Pacers vs. Trail Blazers NBA expert prediction and odds for Friday, Jan. 19 (Bet Over)

Pascal Siakam is expected to make his Pacers debut Friday. Can he lead Indiana over Portland? 
Jan 17, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) drives to the basket.
Jan 17, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) drives to the basket. / Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
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The Indiana Pacers made a splash ahead of the NBA trade deadline by acquiring Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors. Siakam is expected to make his Pacers debut on Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Indiana bounced back after back-to-back losses on its six-game road trip with a 126-121 win over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday without Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard.

The Portland Trail Blazers haven’t won against a team besides the Brooklyn Nets since Dec. 29 (San Antonio). Portland beat Brooklyn in overtime on the road Jan. 7, then edged the Nets, 105-103, on Wednesday. 

Here’s the betting preview for Friday. 

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Pacers vs. Trail Blazers odds, spread and total

Pacers vs. Trail Blazers how to watch

  • Date: Friday, Jan. 19
  • Game time: 10 p.m. EST
  • Venue: Moda Center
  • How to watch (TV): Bally Sports Indiana/Northwest
  • Pacers record: 24-17
  • Trail Blazers record: 11-29

Pacers vs. Trail Blazers  injury reports

Indiana Pacers injury report

  • Injury report not yet released 

Portland Trail Blazers injury report

  • DeAndre Ayton (knee): probable 

Pacers vs. Trail Blazers key players to watch

Indiana Pacers

Jalen Smith: The 6-foot-9 power forward had a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double to help lead the shorthanded Pacers to a win over Sacramento on Thursday as a 7.5-point underdog. He has 29 points on 11-of-17 shooting and 19 rebounds over the last two games and is shooting a career-high 62.7% from the field this season. He has started the last 12 games and Indiana is 9-3 in that stretch. 

Portland Trail Blazers

Jerami Grant: The veteran forward is averaging 20-plus points for the third time in four seasons. He is coming off a 30-point night (14-of-26 shooting) along with eight rebounds in Portland’s 105-103 win over Brooklyn. Grant had 34 points in Portland’s 114-110 win at Indiana on Nov. 27. 

Pacers vs. Trail Blazers prediction and pick

There are question marks surrounding the availability of some Pacers players with no injury report listed. Siakam is expected to play and Indiana could welcome back star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who has been out since suffering a hamstring injury on Jan. 8 against Boston.

Haliburton was questionable for Thursday’s game in Sacramento before being announced out. 

Indiana is coming off an upset win, but has a quick turnaround with a back-to-back against the Trail Blazers. Indiana has an impressive 11-8 ATS record on the road this season, but is just 1-6 ATS finishing a back-to-back. Portland has struggled at home, though, posting just an 8-10 ATS record in the Moda Center.

Portland’s defense, which is No. 23 in rating, allows the most fast-break points in the league this season (17.3 per game) and allows 19.3 points off turnovers, which ranks 29th in the NBA. Indiana gets a boost in its high-scoring lineup with Siakam expected to play and if Haliburton can suit up, it makes the over even better. 


Game odds update periodically are subject to change