Dec. 29, 2025, 10:17 a.m. ET

The Indiana Pacers (6-26) and Houston Rockets (19-10) meet at Toyota Center Monday. Tip-off from Houston, Texas, is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pacers vs. Rockets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

2024-25 season series: Tied 1-1

Indiana was routed 142-116 by the Miami Heat Saturday while failing to cover as a 6.5-point road underdog as the Over (238.5) cashed. F Pascal Siakam scored 33, and G Bennedict Mathurin finished with 25, but it meant nothing as the Pacers couldn’t stop the Heat from scoring. The Pacers turned the ball over 26 times, leading to 38 Heat points.

Houston picked up a comfortable 117-100 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday, covering as a 2-point home favorite with the Under (228.5) hitting. F Kevin Durant led the way with 30 points. The Rockets won 51-42 on the glass while also scoring 26 points off turnovers against the Cavs.

Watch the NBA on Fubo!Pacers at Rockets odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:06 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Pacers +675 (bet $100 to win $675) | Rockets -1100 (bet $1,100 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Pacers +14.5 (-105) | Rockets -14.5 (-115)Over/Under (O/U): 221.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Pacers at Rockets key injuries

Pacers

G Tyrese Haliburton (achilles) outC Jay Huff (ankle) questionableC Isaiah Jackson (concussion) outG T.J. McConnell (hamstring) questionableG Ben Sheppard (calf) questionableF Obi Toppin (foot) out

Rockets

C Alperen Sengun (calf) questionableG Fred VanVleet (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Pacers at Rockets picks and predictionsPrediction

Rockets 117, Pacers 102

PASS.

The Rockets are the far superior team and will easily cover here as -1100 favorites, but no team favored so heavily is worth the risk of betting on, so pass and bet on the safer spread and/or total instead.

LEAN ROCKETS -14.5 (-115).

Houston sits at 2-1 ATS in its last 3 games while the Pacers have dropped 3 straight ATS. The Rockets have also covered the spread in 2 of their last 3 matchups against Indiana. Finally, the Rockets are 17-12 ATS this season while the Pacers sit at just 15-17 ATS.

This is a lean because the Rockets are just 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games, failing to cover against opponents like the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings during that stretch.

BET UNDER 221.5 (-110).

The Under has hit in 7 of Indiana’s last 10 games, including 4 of their last 5 road games. For Houston, the Under has hit in back-to-back games. The Under is also 3-1 in the previous 4 matchups between these squads in Houston.

Indiana is last in offensive rating (107.8) and tied for last in points per game (109.8). On the other side, the Pacers have the 19th-best defensive rating and 23rd-best scoring defense. Look for the Rockets to shut down the Pacers offense while the Pacers cause enough havoc defensively to keep this one Under 222.

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