The Indiana Pacers are looking for their third win in four games when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.
That being said, our Pelicans vs. Pacers predictions have the home team continuing to make life miserable for the visitors.
Pelicans vs Pacers prediction
My best bet
Pacers -5.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The injury bug has hit the New Orleans Pelicans since the start of the season and hasn’t relented, with all-star forwards Zion Williamson (hamstring) and Brandon Ingram (ankle) currently on the shelf. Joining them is another key rotation player, point guard Jose Alvarado (hamstring).
While guard Dejounte Murray is back after breaking his hand opening night, he's struggled badly upon return. In eight games, he’s averaging 16.3 points, but on 34.7% shooting from the field and 25.9% on 3-pointers, both career lows.
Defensively, the Pels have struggled badly during this slide, allowing teams to score 118.9 points per game, including 48.1% shooting from the field. Willie Green’s turnstile lineup has only mustered 105.2 points per game, with a pop-gun-like 31.5% mark from downtown.
They’ll be meeting an Indiana Pacers side that's coming off a 121-107 whipping over the 76ers, hoping they’ve turned the corner after winning just once in their previous six. They’re just outside the Top 10 in scoring on the year, averaging 114.3 points per game, shooting a crisp 48.8% from the field (fifth), while hitting a respectable 37.3% from 3-point range (10th).
The Pacers are also working their way through injuries, with starting wing Aaron Newsmith (ankle) and guard Ben Sheppard (oblique) out, and big men Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) and James Wiseman (Achilles) both done for the year.
This will be the third and final meeting this season, and while New Orleans won the first game to start November, the Pacers returned the favor three weeks later with a 114-110 victory. At 1-12 on the road, New Orleans is tied with the Raptors for the worst away record in the NBA.
Pelicans vs Pacers same-game parlay
Pacers -5.5
Dejounte Murray Over 1.5 threes
Pascal Siakam Over 6.5 rebounds
While Murray is shooting the 3-ball at a poor clip, he hasn’t been bashful letting it fly, launching at least six attempts in all but one of the eight games he’s played in. The results have been mixed, crossing his 1.5-make line five times and missing it twice more by a single 3-ball.
Indiana is Bottom-7 in the league at defending the moneyball, with teams hitting at a solid 37%, so Murray should have ample opportunities to launch on Sunday.
Pascal Siakam is the second-leading rebounder on the Pacers, averaging 6.6 per contest, and his line is set for 6.5 today. He had 23 points and eight boards against the 76ers, grabbing 7+ boards in three straight and seven times in the last 11 outings. He came up just a rebound shy in three other games.
Without having to worry too much about Zion or Ingram on the defensive end, Siakam should have more bounce on offense and on the glass.
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Pelicans vs Pacers odds
Pelicans vs Pacers live odds
Pelicans vs Pacers opening odds
- Spread: New Orleans +5.5 | Indiana -5.5
- Moneyline: New Orleans +195 | Indiana -240
- Over/Under: Over 223 | Under 223
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Pelicans vs Pacers spread and Over/Under analysis
- New Orleans has won three of the last five meetings.
- Indiana is just 1-6 against the spread in its last seven as a favorite.
- The Pelicans have cashed the Over in four of their last five.
- The Under is 3-1-1 in the last five Pacers games.
Pelicans vs Pacers trend
The Pelicans have lost 12 straight road games. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Pacers.
How to watch Pelicans vs Pacers
| Location: | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN |
| Date: | Sunday, 12-15-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 5:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | GCSEN, FanDuel Sports Network - Indiana |
Pelicans vs Pacers latest injuries
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