Indiana Pacers (34-27) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (35-25)
March 1, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans -5.5; Over/Under: +238
(Get latest betting odds)
The Indiana Pacers and the New Orleans Pelicans collide at the Smoothie King Center on Friday night. Here’s a Pacers vs Pelicans Prediction.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers have been in fine form as they’ve won seven of their last 10 games overall and they will be eager to keep it going after taking down the Pelicans in a 123-114 win on Wednesday. Pascal Siakam led the team with 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, Tyrese Haliburton added 17 points with 13 assists while Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin each scored 16 points. As a team, the Pacers shot 49 percent from the field and 14 of 38 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 40 points in the first quarter to take an early 20-point lead, before they survived a late scare after the Pelicans cut the lead to just three points with 3:15 left on the clock. The Pacers will meet the Spurs and Mavericks after this one.
New Orleans Pelicans
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have cooled off a bit recently as they’ve now lost three of their last four games after coming up short against the Pacers on Wednesday. Brandon Ingram led the team with 30 points, six rebounds and four assists, Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum each scored 23 points while Herbert Jones chipped in with 14 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot 46 percent from the field and 11 of 29 from the 3-point line as they worked hard to cut an early 20-point deficit to just three points, only to run out of gas and allow the Pacers to slip away. The Pels will face the Raptors after this game.
New Orleans Pelicans Team Facts
- The home team has won each of the last five games between the Pacers and Pelicans.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight Friday games.
- Each of the Pelicans’ last seven Friday games at Smoothie King Center have gone UNDER the total points line.
Indiana Pacers Team Facts
- The Pacers have won each of their last five games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games as underdogs following a win.
- Nine of the Pacers’ last 10 road games against Southwest Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Pacers vs Pelicans Prediction
The Pacers could be shorthanded here as Aaron Nesmith is listed as questionable, while the Pelicans are coming into this one with a full squad. The Pacers have been in decent shape and they can certainly get another win if they get off to another hot start like they did on Wednesday, but I think we’re going to see the Pelicans come out swinging in this one. We should be in for another close one, but in this game, I’m going for the Pelicans to get their revenge with a win and cover at home.
