Among the many twists of needed tanking reform is how it could impact draft-pick protections.

During last year’s NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers reacquired their 2026 first-round pick from the Pelicans, though it will still be conveyed to the Clippers if falling between pick No. 5 and 9.

That sounds complicated. Well, the timing of the trade is needed to explain why in the world New Orleans would have made that deal; Tyrese Haliburton had not yet torn his Achilles.

And the exact protections are necessary to grasp how badly Indiana has wanted to lose this season. It has done so successfully, tied with the Wizards for the worst record in the NBA and two games clear of slipping out of the bottom three, when the Pacers’ odds of a top-four pick would start to drop from 52.1%.

Indiana no longer needs to emphasize losing. 

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls should emphasize losing.

The Bulls are barely holding off the Bucks for the No. 9 spot in the lottery. Perhaps not surprisingly, Chicago has lost four straight, including at Memphis as 5-point favorites.

Although the Pacers have been terrible all season, they no longer need to be, and simply recognizing that creates value betting on Indiana.

When focus and discipline lag amid a tank, it tends to first show on defense. Seven of Indiana’s last eight games have cashed their Overs, while four of Chicago’s last five have done so as well.

Pascal Siakam’s return to the lineup 10 days ago underscored the Pacers’ lack of a need to lose anymore. They could have easily followed Sacramento’s and Utah’s leads and found an excuse to bench their best player.

Instead, Siakam has returned to clear this prop in two of his last four contests.

• Pacers moneyline
• Over 247
• Pascal Siakam Over 24.5 points

Siakam has hit all three of these Overs in two of his last four games, both of which were Pacers’ outright wins as notable underdogs.

• Pacers moneyline
• Pascal Siakam Over 24.5 points
• Pascal Siakam Over 1.5 threes
• Pascal Siakam Over 6.5 rebounds

• Spread: Pacers +4.5 (-110) | Bulls -4.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Pacers +160 | Bulls -190
• Over/Under: Over 247 (-110) | Under 247 (-110)

Indiana is 6-0 against the spread in its last six, exceeding bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 8.9 points per game. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Bulls.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.