Pelicans vs Pacers Prediction, Preview, Team News and Schedule, Injury Report, March 1st 2024.

Southeast Division leader, New Orleans Pelicans will hope to get revenge when they host Indiana Pacers after both sides had slugged it out back in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday night.

The Pelicans are favourites with an implied probability of 69.4% to win this one at 1.44 odds, while the Pacers are available at 2.85 odds. The point spread is +/-5.5 points and the total points line is at 238.0.

The New Orleans Pelicans will battle the Indiana Pacers on Friday night at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans for an Inter Conference clash. For more NBA picks from Agbeniga Ayobami and other basketball experts, visit our Expert Insights section.

Our New Orleans Pelicans vs Indiana Pacers prediction is for the Pelicans to cover the 5.5-point spread. 

In this article:

• New Orleans Pelicans vs Indiana Pacers Prediction
• Game Info
• New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report, Team News, Schedule
• Indiana Pacers Injury Report, Team News, Schedule
• Betting Trends
• New Orleans Pelicans vs Indiana Pacers H2H
• Safer Gambling

New Orleans Pelicans vs Indiana Pacers Prediction

• Selections:  Pelicans -5.5
• Odds: 1.90
• Bookmaker: Bet365
• Stake: 5/10

The Indiana Pacers boast an impressive league-leading average of 123.9 points per game, with the dynamic playmaking and scoring combination of Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner.

However, I see another closely contested game, but the prediction leans towards the New Orleans Pelicans securing a victory and covering the spread on their home court.

Revenge could be a motivating factor for the Pelicans, and the home advantage might play a crucial role in their quest for a win in this matchup.

Game Info

• Date: Saturday, March 2nd, 2024
• Time: 02:00 (CET)
• Arena: Smoothie King Center
• Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report, Team News, Schedule

The New Orleans Pelicans’ impressive road win streak came to an end with a 123-114 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Despite facing issues with travel delays due to a plane malfunction, the Pelicans fought hard to stay competitive throughout the game. However, they ultimately fell short of securing the victory. Brandon Ingram led the scoring effort with 30 points, while Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum contributed 23 points each. Herbert Jones chipped in with 14 points, and Trey Murphy III added 11 points for the Pelicans.

Despite the loss, the Pelicans maintain their position atop the Southeast Division with a solid 35-25 record, having won 9 of their last 13 games. Heading into their next matchup, the Pelicans will be without Dyson Daniels, who continues his recovery from a left knee meniscectomy.

The New Orleans Pelicans are 32-27-1 against the spread this season (54.2% ATS). They have a 16-13 ATS record as a home team and a 10-8 record against the spread in games against Eastern Conference opponents.

They currently average 116.0 points per game, ranking 14th in the league, with shooting percentages of 48.6% from the field and 37.8% from beyond the arc. They also boast a 76.5% free-throw shooting percentage. They grab 44.4 rebounds per game, ranking 10th in the NBA, and record 27.0 assists per game, placing them 12th in the league.

Defensively, the 76ers force an average of 13.3 turnovers per game and draw 19.1 fouls. However, they concede 111.9 points per game, ranking 8th in the league in points allowed. They surrender an opponent field goal percentage of 46.3% and allow opponents to shoot 34.7% from beyond the arc.

Next 5 Fixtures

• March 6th vs Raptors
• March 9th vs 76ers
• March 10th vs Hawks
• March 14th vs Cavaliers
• March 16th vs Clippers

Indiana Pacers Injury Report, Team News, Schedule

Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton, and Myles Turner led the Indiana Pacers to a commanding 123-114 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Siakam scored 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Haliburton orchestrated the offence with 17 points and an impressive 13 assists. Turner contributed a solid double-double performance with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin provided valuable scoring support with 16 points each, while Ben Sheppard chipped in with 11 points.

With Nesmith sidelined with a sprained right ankle and McDermott dealing with a sprained right calf, the Pacers leaned on their remaining roster to secure the win. The victory improves the Pacers’ record to 34-26, placing them third in the Central Division. They have been in solid form recently, winning four of their last five games.

The Pacers are 32-26-3 (55.2%) ATS, with a 14-12-1 (53.8%) record against the spread as an away team, and they have an 8-11-2 record against Western Conference opponents. They currently average 123.9 points per game, ranking 1st in the league, while shooting 50.8% from the field and 38.0% from beyond the arc. They also boast a 78.1% free-throw shooting percentage. They grab 41.0 rebounds per game, ranking 29th in the NBA, and record 31.1 assists per game, placing them 1st in the league.

Defensively, the Pacers force an average of 13.4 turnovers per game and draw 21.7 fouls. However, they surrender an opponent field goal percentage of 50.4% and allow 42.9 rebounds per game. They allow opponents to shoot 37.5% from beyond the arc and concede 122.0 points per game, ranking 28th in the league in points allowed.

They have 4 player listed in the injury report, all questionable. Kendall Brown, Aaron Nesmith (right ankle sprain),  Oscar Tshiebwe and Isaiah Wong.

Next 5 Fixtures

• March 4th vs Spurs
• March 6th vs Mavericks
• March 8th vs Timberwolves
• March 10th vs Magic
• March 13th vs Thunder

Betting Trends

• The Pelicans are 32-27-1 ATS.
• The Pacers are 32-26-3 ATS.
• The Pelicans are 10-8 ATS in non-conference games.
• New Orleans have covered 55.2% (16-13) at the Smoothie King Center.
• The Pacers are 8-11-2 ATS in non-conference Games.
• The Pacers are 14-12-1 ATS in away games.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Indiana Pacers H2H

The Pacers and the New Orleans Pelicans have played 47 games in the regular season with 28 wins for the Pacers and 19 for the Pelicans. The recent game between both sides ended 123-114 in favour of the Pacers.

Zion Williamson has averaged 22.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 3 games versus the Pacers in his career. On the other hand, Myles Turner has averaged 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 15 games versus the Pelicans in his career.

SAFER GAMBLING

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.