posted March 26, 2008 at 13:16 in NBA Free Picks

Despite the fact that the Indiana Pacers, (29-41 SU, 33-36-1 ATS, 36-30-4 O/U) and New Jersey Nets, (30-41 SU, 28-41-2 ATS, 33-36-2 O/U) have both underachieved all season long and will each finish with losing records in the BetUS.com Sportsbook this season, both teams are still in the hunt for a playoff berth in the mediocre eastern conference with less than 15 games remaining for each club.

The Nets are currently just one half game behind the Atlanta Hawks in the race for the eight and final playoff spot in the conference while the Pacers are just one game behind New Jersey.

The Nets are coming into this contest off a 106-91 victory over the atrocious New York Knicks on Monday and realize the need to nab as many victories as possible at this late juncture of the regular season.

"I know we're playing the last 11 games this season and all that other stuff doesn't matter to me," Nets swingman Vince Carter said. "When you step in the game, you need to bring it. I'm just glad to see the guys really respond tonight."

The Pacers are coming in off 114-106 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday.

"This one hurts, but it's over with and we've got to put it behind us," said Pacers forward Shawne Williams, who scored 17 points off the bench. "We were there. We just didn't pull it off. We have to get better from this."

The teams split a home-and-home series in February with the home team winning each contest.

The Pacers have won five of their last ten games while going 5-4-1 against the spread over the same span. New Jersey has won just four of their last ten games but has posted a solid 5-5 record against the spread over the same period.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my analysis and NBA Betting Free Picks.

The Pacers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games vs. a team with a losing S.U. record.

The Pacers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall.

The Nets are 6-1 ATS in their last seven home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

The Nets are 5-1 ATS in their last six vs. Eastern Conference.

The Over is 9-2 in Pacers last eleven vs. a team with a losing S.U. record.

The Over is 5-0 in Nets last five home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

The Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.

The Home team is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.

Analysis: While I haven’t picked the Nets to win against the spread in many games this season, this is one contest that they should definitely be able to win with a playoff berth riding on the line. I’ll write it again for my beloved NBA bettors that might be blinking their eyes in disbelief – take the Nets to win and cover tonight.

NBA Free Picks: New Jersey -5 Points/Over 214 Total Points

07:35 PM EST NBA Odds

Indiana Pacers +5 -110

New Jersey Nets -5 -110

Over 214 -110

Under 214 -110

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