Pacers vs. Pelicans Pick
Will the New Orleans Pelicans find success as a surprising home favorite tonight when they face the Indiana Pacers at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Pelicans are favored at home tonight, as they are getting odds of -2.5 points against the Pacers. The over/under total for the game is listed at 210 points. Indiana has won 10 straight over New Orleans and the Pacers have covered the spread in eight of those 10 meetings.
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The Pacers are coming off a 95-89 loss at Miami last night to fall to 13-13 on the season and 11-15 against the spread. While the Pacers can put up an impressive number on offense, averaging 104.5 points per game, the defense is a mess. Indiana is giving up 106.6 points per game this season. Indiana continues to be without some key contributors as Monta Ellis (groin) is out until later this month and Rodney Stuckey (hamstring) is questionable to play tonight. Ellis has averaged 9.7 points and 3.7 assists per game for the Pacers while Stuckey puts up 9.5 points per game. Paul George is the clear leader of the Pacers, as he is averaging 21.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest.
The Pelicans suffered a 113-109 loss to the Warriors at home on Tuesday to drop to just 8-18 on the season. New Orleans did cover in the loss and has covered in two straight to get to 12-14 against the spread against the spread. The Pelicans have lost six of their last seven overall, including four straight at home. New Orleans is scoring 102.8 points per game on offense while the defense is giving up 107 points per contest. New Orleans is banged up, but could have Jrue Holiday available tonight despite a toe injury. He averages 15.6 points per game this season. Tim Frazier (wrist) is doubtful while Tyreke Evans (knee) is questionable. Frazier is averaging 11 points and 7.6 assists per game while Evans has yet to make his season debut. Anthony Davis is the clear leader here, averaging 30.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.83 blocks per game. However, he needs more help that doesn’t seem to be coming.
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Being a favorite hasn’t suited New Orleans too well, as the Pelicans are just 1-7 against the spread this season when favored. The Pelicans have one of the best players in the NBA, but one man can’t do it all. The addition of Holiday may help, but it won’t be enough. The Pacers have a few more horses in this fight and should find a way to win on the road.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: INDIANA PACERS +2.5