I love finding underrated players and leaning on them early. Cue Lauri Markkanen….he should eat in a game where Indiana plays bad defense and fast pace….

Collins should see an uptick in shots and available rebounds with Jazz center Walker Kessler sidelined. We know there will be a TON of points scored because the Pacers play lightning fast.

The Jazz have been blown out in the first two games of their four-game road trip, and I like Indiana to cover Wednesday. Utah ranks 29th in defensive efficiency, and center Walker Kessler (12 blocks last three games) is questionable with a sprained elbow. Indiana is almost as bad defensively, but the Pacers are electric offensively, ranking only behind Boston, Philly and Dallas in efficiency. Utah has played four road games this season, losing by 22, eight, 28 and 17. Lay the points.

Lauri Markkanen enjoyed a true breakout season last year after averaging 25.6 PPG on very impressive shooting splits, while not only making the All-Star team but winning Most Improved Player award. Markanen has picked up where he left off and is averaging 24 PPG this season with a Jazz roster where he is clearly the focal point. Lauri gets an excellent matchup tonight against a Pacers team that is top five in PACE and ranked in the bottom five in Defensive Efficiency, This is the recipe we look for when projecting potential spike games. This game has a whopping 242.5 point total as well.