Parlay: Indiana Pacers VS San Antonio Spurs 2025-10-17

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The Great Preseason Showdown: Spurs vs. Pacers – A Tale of Two (Injured) Teams

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare for a basketball clash so riddled with injuries, it’s like a medical drama audition. The San Antonio Spurs (4-0 preseason) and Indiana Pacers (2-2) meet in San Antonio, where the Spurs are favored by 5.5 points (-5.5) at nearly every bookie. Let’s dissect this like a trainer untangling a shoelace knot.

Parsing the Odds: Why the Spurs Are the Preseason’s Favorite
The Spurs’ moneyline odds hover around 1.47-1.49 (implying a 70% chance to win), while the Pacers sit at 2.7 (28% implied). The total is set at 234.5 points, with the Over/Under nearly even. But here’s the rub: the Pacers are missing Tyrese Haliburton (torn Achilles), Kam Jones (back), and T.J. McConnell (hamstring), while Johnny Furphy and Quenton Jackson are questionable. Meanwhile, the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama is a game-changer, and though De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) and Lindy Waters (laser eye surgery) are questionable, San Antonio’s depth feels deeper.

The previous meeting? A Spurs romp: 124-108, with Wembanyama dropping 27 points and 11 rebounds. The Pacers’ lack of size? Exposed like a toddler in a blizzard.

Injury Montage: It’s the NBA, Not The Walking Dead
The Pacers’ starting five? A mix of Andrew Nembhard (solid but unspectacular), Bennedict Mathurin (last game’s hero with 31 points), and Isaiah Jackson (a rebounding brick wall… metaphorically). Without Haliburton, their offense is a car with flat tires and a GPS that only says “Recalculating.”

The Spurs? They’re like a Swiss Army knife: Victor Wembanyama (defensive wizardry, shot-blocking, and a side of social media fame), Dylan Harper (young, hungry, and probably still figuring out how to tie his shoes), and Harrison Barnes (here for the paycheck and the free Gatorade). But don’t sleep on their game-time decisions: De’Aaron Fox (if he plays, he’s a scoring spark) and Jeremy Sochan (Poland’s answer to “Why yes, I can pass and shoot!”).

Same-Game Parlay Pick: Spurs -5.5 & Under 234.5
Why this combo?
1. Spurs -5.5: The Pacers’ injury report reads like a grocery list for a hospital. Without Haliburton, their offense is a toaster in a bakery—present but useless. Wembanyama’s defense will smother Indiana’s youth, and even a “half-effort” Spurs squad should cover the spread.
2. Under 234.5: Both teams are missing stars, and this is a preseason finale—not a playoff thriller. The last game between these teams had 232 points, but with key players resting (or literally lasering eyes), expect a more conservative script. The Spurs’ defense, anchored by Wembanyama, will turn this into a “Let’s Not Embarrass Ourselves” contest.

Humorous Spin: Because Basketball Needs More Laughs
- The Pacers’ starting lineup? It’s like a “Where’s Tyrese?” scavenger hunt. They’re playing youth group basketball while the Spurs are rolling out their NBA All-Stars… who also work part-time as Uber drivers.
- Wembanyama is the NBA’s version of a Swiss Army knife—except his “blade” is a block, his “screwdriver” is a three-pointer, and his “can-opener” is a post move that makes defenders look like they’ve never seen a can before.
- The Spurs’ perfect preseason? A preseason Cinderella story… if Cinderella’s coach was Gregg Popovich and the mice were replaced by G League rejects.

Final Prediction: Spurs Win, 112-98, with a Side of “What If?”
The Spurs’ size, Wembanyama’s dominance, and the Pacers’ injury crisis make this a one-sided affair. While the Spurs might rest some stars for their regular-season opener (hello, De’Aaron Fox’s “not on track” hamstring), they’ll still outclass Indiana.

Parlay the Under 234.5 and Spurs -5.5—it’s the safest bet since wearing a helmet while riding a bike. And if you’re still confused, just remember: the Pacers’ offense is a broken calculator (no Haliburton), and the Spurs’ defense is a locked door (thanks, Vic!).

Now go bet wisely… or at least bet with the confidence of someone who’s definitely not a financial advisor.

Created: Oct. 17, 2025, 7:31 p.m. GMT