Indiana Pacers 2022-23 Season Preview and Best Bet (Odds, Offseason Moves and More)
Everyday leading up to the NBA season, the BetSided crew is previewing a different team. Today, we’re heading to Indianapolis to look at the season outlook for the Pacers.
Indiana finished 25-57 last season. The Pacers ended the year on a 10-game losing streak, which wasn’t the sign you’d like to see as a Pacers fan.
The Pacers traded away Malcolm Brogdon this offseason, which leaves the franchise in Tyrese Haliburton’s hands. There are a few tradable assets Indiana has to continue the rebuild, but we’re still unsure about the Pacers’ willingness to actually move on from them.
With the franchise in flux, what will the 2022-23 season look like?
Indiana Pacers Offseason Moves and Additions
Pacers Roster Additions:
- Benedict Mathurin (Draft)
- Jalen Smith (Draft)
- James Johnson (Free Agency)
- Bennie Boatwright (Free Agency)
- David Stockton (Free Agency)
- Gabe York (Free Agency)
Pacers Roster Losses:
- Malcolm Brogdon (Trade)
- Daniel Theis (Trade)
Indiana Pacers Odds to Win NBA Championship, Make Playoffs and Win Total
- Odds to Win NBA Finals: +50000
- Odds to Win Eastern Conference: +35000
- Make Playoffs: +3000
- Win Total: 23.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Indiana Pacers Best Bet for 2022-23 NBA Season
For the first time in a long time, the Pacers decided to start the rebuilding process through tanking and trading away stars. Without Malcolm Brogdon, I expect this team to drop down from 25 wins to below 23.5 wins on the season.
After the All-Star break last year, the Pacers had the second-fewest wins in the league and the second-worst defensive rating in the league. Myles Turner is expected to remain the defensive anchor for this team, but if he gets moved, this will be the worst defense in the league.
Several other teams in the Eastern Conference have made moves to get better, while the Pacers look like they’re going the other way.
Unless one of the first or second year players make a major jump this season, expect the Pacers to be at the top of the lottery this summer.
You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.