Pelicans vs. Pacers Saturday Prediction
Zion Williamson continues to be must-watch TV and he’ll be in action again on Saturday night when the Pelicans visit the Pacers at 7:30 p.m. ET. Will New Orleans pull off the small upset tonight on the road?
Game Snapshot
533 New Orleans Pelicans (+2) at 534 Indiana Pacers (-2); o/u 227.5
7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, February 8, 2020
Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Public Betting
According to our NBA Public Betting Chart page, 64% of betting tickets are on the Pacers to cover the spread in this matchup.
New Orleans Pelicans Fantasy Spin
Zion Williamson (toe) scored 21 points in 25 minutes during a 125-119 win over the Bulls on Thursday, adding four rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block in 25 minutes. He was 9-of-11 from the field for this efficient game, but he did turn it over five times. Williamson also tweaked his ankle in the first half, but he stayed in the game and looked fine the rest of the way. He was also questionable on the report yesterday, but said it was just discomfort and should be fine — he was cleared to play last night. Zion has four straight 20-point games and he still hasn’t been totally unleashed yet. Plus, coach Alvin Gentry mentions Zion still has a lot to learn on offense. He’s gotta learn when to screen and when to space, but it’s his eighth game. He’s progressing great,” Gentry said. Now that he’s healthy, things are looking up one of the most must-see prospects ever.
Indiana Pacers Fantasy Spin
Victor Oladipo will be rested on Saturday vs. the Pelicans. This is just a reminder with the Pacers giving us the heads up prior to Friday’s game. Oladipo had his best game yet vs. the Raptors on Friday, hitting 5-of-11 from the field for 15 points with four assists, one rebound, two steals and two triples in 28 minutes. It’s going to take some more time before he’s churning out reliable mid-round numbers but the timing of his return works in his favor with the All-Star break one week away. Justin Holiday should get a slight bump on Saturday and the Pacers may give Aaron Holiday extended run too.
NBA Prediction
The Pelicans have been a great play in this matchup, cashing in seven of their last eight meetings with the Pacers overall. They’ve also been a hot ATS team on the road, posting an 8-2-1 ATS record in their last 11 games away from their home court and are also 9-3-1 against the number in their last 13 games as an underdog. Finally, while New Orleans is 16-5-1 against the spread in its last 22 games overall, Indiana is just 1-4 ATS in its last five home games and hasn’t covered a spread in four straight games when playing on no rest.
SATURDAY NBA BETTING PREDICTION: NEW ORLEANS PELICANS +2