Pacers vs. Sixers Prediction and Odds for Monday, October 24 (Indiana Can Stay Within Double Digits)

Despite championship aspirations, the Philadelphia 76ers have stumbled out of the gates, falling to 0-3 on the year, including a loss to one of the projected worst teams in the league, the San Antonio Spurs, at home over the weekend.

Now, the Sixers host another rebuilding team on Monday night as double digit favorites in the Indiana Pacers. Indiana may not have the same motivation to win games as Philadelphia, but the team has an exciting young backcourt with Tyrese Haliburton and rookie Benedict Mathurin, leading to a 2-1 start.

The Pacers have proven to be competitive against some of the middling teams, but how will they do against the elite foes in the Eastern Conference? Let's check out the odds and find the best bet:

Pacers vs. Sixers Odds, Spread and Total

Pacers vs. Sixers Prediction and Pick

The Sixers closed as 13.5-point favorites against the Spurs on Saturday in the 114-105 loss and now are laying 12 points against a Pacers team that I rate slightly better than San Antonio.

It's a very small sample size, but the Sixers defense may not be where we expected it this season, at least not yet. The team is 24th in points allowed per 100 possessions and will have little interest in playing at the tempo Indiana does. The Pacers are third in pace this season and are eighth in points per 100 possessions this season, and I like their chances to stay within this massive spread against a Sixers team that is still easing into the season.

Indiana's backcourt of Haliburton (nearly 10 assists through three games) and Mathurin (nearly 25 points per game) will put pressure on the Sixers defense and keep this team within the number.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.