Can the Spurs Upset the Pacers in Wemby’s Anticipated Return to France?

  • What: NBA Global Games
  • When: January 23, 2025
  • Who: San Antonio Spurs vs. Indiana Pacers
  • Time:  2:00 p.m. EST
  • Where: Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy (Paris, France)

The hype surrounding Victor Wembanyama is real. The San Antonio Spurs are set to face the Indiana Pacers in Paris, and the spotlight is brighter than ever.

Wemby, the 7-foot-3 phenom, has been nothing short of spectacular this season, averaging 24.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game.

First off, let’s talk about the atmosphere in Paris. While it’s a homecoming for Wembanyama, the excitement can be a double-edged sword.

The Accor Arena will be buzzing with fans eager to see their local hero, but that kind of pressure can also lead to jitters.

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Game Preview (Spurs vs. Pacers)

SpreadBetOnline Sportsbook ReviewBetUS Sportsbook ReviewBovada Sportsbook Review
San Antonio Spurs +2.5 Points-113-115-115
Indiana Pacers -2.5 Points-107-105-105

Wemby is still young, and while he’s shown maturity beyond his years, the weight of expectations can sometimes lead to a less-than-stellar performance.

Moreover, the Pacers are no slouches. They’ve been on a roll lately, going 8-1 in their last nine games, and they’re not going to roll over just because Wemby is in town.

Indiana Pacers -2.5 PointsSan Antonio Spurs vs. Indiana Pacers
★★★★★
-107
Bet now

Myles Turner, who will likely be tasked with defending Wembanyama, is no stranger to high-pressure situations. He’s been in the league long enough to know how to disrupt a player’s rhythm, and he’s got the size and skill to make things difficult for Wemby.

Let’s not forget that the Spurs are coming off a tough loss to the Miami Heat, where Wembanyama scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

While that sounds impressive, it’s important to note that the Pacers will be looking to exploit any weaknesses they can find. They’ve had a few days to prepare for this matchup, and you can bet they’ll have a game plan specifically designed to limit Wemby’s impact.

Additionally, the Spurs have been struggling lately, and they’re currently on a three-game losing streak. When teams are in a rut, it often leads to a more conservative approach, especially on the road.

While Wembanyama is undoubtedly a generational talent, the unique circumstances surrounding this Paris trip, combined with the Pacers’ recent form and the Spurs’ need to find their footing, lead me to believe there is a great chance they split the series.

I think the Pacers may have the edge in this first matchup, but I’ll take the points and the Spurs in this one.

San Antonio Spurs +2.5 PointsSan Antonio Spurs vs. Indiana Pacers
★★★★★
-105
Bet now

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Total Points

Total PointsBetOnline Sportsbook ReviewBetUS Sportsbook ReviewBovada Sportsbook Review
Over 229.5-110-110-110
Under 229.5-110-110-110

Since 2019, there have been nine regular-season NBA Global games, and the shooting performance has been subpar. Teams managed to connect on only 726 of 1,618 attempts, resulting in a field goal percentage of 44.8%.

For comparison, just six NBA teams are currently shooting worse than that this season. The struggles continue from beyond the arc, where teams shot a combined 196-for-610, equating to 32.1%. This percentage ranks as the second-lowest in the league for this season.

Given this data, it’s reasonable to expect that shooting efficiency might suffer for San Antonio and Indiana on Thursday.

Factors such as the grueling travel schedule and the use of a non-NBA court could impact performance. Therefore, I’m inclined to anticipate that the game will go under the total points.

I believe the market might be overestimating the pace of play in this matchup. The Spurs are currently ranked 17th in terms of pace.

While the Pacers have been playing at the seventh-fastest pace, they’ve significantly slowed down, dropping to 17th in this area after winning eight of their last nine games. It seems they’ve found success by adopting a more deliberate tempo.

When it comes to three-point shooting, the scenario doesn’t look too promising either. The Pacers rank third in the fewest attempts from beyond the arc and allow the seventh-fewest made threes per game.

The Spurs are pretty average in three-point performance on both offense and defense. All things considered, a total of 229.5 points seems quite ambitious. I’m leaning towards the under.

Under 229.5 PointsSan Antonio Spurs vs. Indiana Pacers
★★★★★
+240
Bet now

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Tony Reyes

Tony is a pro sports journalist who dedicates most of his free time to watching the latest matches and games on TV. When he's not participating in sports-related activities or seeing his friends, Tony enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and basketball. In addition to being a sports expert, Tony has extensive knowledge of finances and accou...

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