The Indiana Pacers pay a visit to the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on Monday night.
The Indiana Pacers begun the season with four wins in their first five games, but they are now looking to bounce back after falling just short to the lowly Knicks in a 106-102 home loss on Saturday. Malcolm Brogdon led the team with 33 points and seven assists on 12 of 18 shooting, Myles Turner added 17 points, Victor Oladipo scored 16 points while Domantas Sabonis chipped in with 13 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. As a team, the Pacers shot just 40 percent from the field and 19 of 50 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in control with a narrow lead late in the fourth quarter, until the Knicks closed the game on a 13-6 run in the final 4:04 to steal the game late. Doug McDermott scored just nine points on three of 13 shooting off the bench while Oladipo shot just three of 16 from the field.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in decent form so far as they’ve won four of their six games and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after outlasting the Raptors in a 120-116 home win on Saturday. Brandon Ingram led the team with 31 points on eight of 17 shooting, Zion Williamson added 21 points, Eric Bledsoe scored 19 points with 10 assists while Lonzo Ball chipped in with 13 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot 42 percent from the field and 14 of 38 from the 3-point line as they squandered a 12-point lead before closing the game on a 9-3 run in the final 1:08 to escape with the win.
Looking at the betting trends, the Pacers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games as an underdog, 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a loss and 2-5 ATS in their last seven Monday games. The Pelicans are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games following a win and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games as a home favorite.
Head to head, the under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in New Orleans, the Pacers are 1-8 ATS in the last nine meetings overall and the Pacers are 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings in New Orleans.
The Pacers were on a roll before losing TJ Warren to injury as they’re suddenly coming off a tough loss to the lowly Knicks. The Pelicans have been travelling well and their narrow win over the Raptors will only help with their confidence. The Pacers are just 1-8 ATS in the last nine meetings overall and I think that trend continues here as the Pelicans continue their nice run with another win over the shorthanded Pacers.
