Pelicans vs. Pacers Prediction
Will the Indiana Pacers manage to continue their recent hot streak when they play host to the New Orleans Pelicans tonight at 7PM ET?
515 New Orleans Pelicans vs. 516 Indiana Pacers
Friday, February 22, 2019
7PM ET – Bankers Life Fieldhouse
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Pacers are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -5.5 points against the Pelicans. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 220.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 87 percent going on the Pacers at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Pelicans unable to sustain success
The New Orleans Pelicans seem to be lacking an identity as their future is in question with Anthony Davis likely on his way out in the next year. They are coming off a nice 131-122 win over Oklahoma City before the break, but have covered in just one of their last four. The Pelicans are 26-33 overall, 9-22 on the road, 28-30-1 against the spread and 31-28 with the over.
New Orleans has a lot of offensive ability, as it is averaging 115.6 points per game while shooting 47.8 percent from the field. Defensively, the Pelicans are a mess. They are giving up 114.8 points per game. Davis is dealing with a shoulder injury but is expected to play tonight. He is averaging 28.1 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game this season. Jrue Holiday is adding 21.1 points and 7.9 assists per contest.
Pacers end win streak
Indiana suffered a loss at home to Milwaukee before the break, but the Pacers had won six straight prior to that. Indiana is now 38-20 on the season, 22-8 at home, 30-28 against the spread and 34-24 with the under.
The Pacers have had the league’s top defense all season, allowing just 102.9 points per game while limiting opponents to 44.6 percent shooting. Offensively, the Pacers shoot 47.8 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from the arc, but average just 108.1 points per game. The team is without Victor Oladipo for the rest of the season and both Myles Turner (hip) and Tyreke Evans (ankle) are questionable. Bojan Bogdanovic is leading Indiana with 16.8 points per game while Domantas Sabonis adds 14.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
New Orleans
The Pelicans are 5-1 against the spread in their last six road games and 6-1 ATS in their last seven against Central Division opponents.
Indiana
The Pacers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five home games and 20-8 ATS in their last 28 following a loss.
Prediction:
On paper, this seems like a bad matchup for Indiana. If Turner is unable to play, it really weakens the frontcourt defense against Davis and New Orleans has the ability to score despite their dipping record. However, recent meetings with the Magic and Grizzlies have been a problem for New Orleans. Those two are also strong defensive teams like Indiana, but the Pacers actually have better shooting. The Pelicans were held to 88 against Orlando and to 90 against Memphis. I think the Pacers will defend the Pelicans well and that will guide them to a win.
NBA Prediction: Indiana Pacers -5.5