The New Orleans Pelicans (5-21) travel to face off against the Indiana Pacers (11-15) on Sunday, December 15th. This game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and televised on FDSI. The Pacers are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Pelicans are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Pelicans. Tip-off is set for 5:00 ET.

Pelicans vs Pacers

The Pelicans Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Pelicans dropped to 5-21 after a 111-109 home loss to the Kings on Thursday. New Orleans entered the game as +7 underdogs but managed to cover the spread. The total points fell short of the 232.5 O/U line, with the teams combining for 220 points.

A 14-0 run by Sacramento early in the game put New Orleans in a tough spot. The Pelicans battled back, taking a 55-53 lead into halftime. However, a rough 3rd quarter, where they were outscored 38-28, left them trailing 91-83 going into the 4th. New Orleans made a push in the final quarter, outscoring the Kings 26-20, but ultimately fell short.

The Pacers Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Pacers improved to 11-15 on the season with a 121-107 road win over the 76ers on Friday. Indiana, who were +6.5 point underdogs, not only won but covered the spread. The game’s total points landed exactly on the O/U line of 228.

Indiana’s 14-0 run early in the game set the tone, as they jumped out to a 23-4 lead. They maintained control by winning the 1st quarter 31-22 and the 2nd quarter 30-28. Although the 76ers outscored them 33-29 in the 3rd, the Pacers closed out the game strong, winning the 4th quarter 31-24.

Pelicans Offense Breakdown

CJ McCollum hit 6 threes at 54.5% and finished with 36 points, including 17 in the 4th quarter, in the Pelicans’ 109-111 loss to the Kings. Trey Murphy added 21 points, with 16 coming in the opening quarter.

New Orleans connected on 14 threes, shooting 37.8% from deep and 47% overall. Dejounte Murray contributed 20 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds.

Pacers Offense Breakdown

Tyrese Haliburton knocked down 7 threes at a 46.7% clip, finishing with 32 points and 11 assists in the Pacers’ 121-107 win over the 76ers. Indiana hit 14 threes as a team, shooting 36.8% from deep and 51.6% overall from the field.

Pascal Siakam added 23 points, shooting 81.8% from the floor, while Obi Toppin contributed 20 points and 8 rebounds. Toppin scored 7 points in the 4th quarter, and Haliburton added 10 points in the 3rd.

Pelicans Team Defense

Defensively, the Pelicans were strong in the 2nd and 4th quarters, but a tough 3rd quarter, where they allowed 38 points, contributed to their 111-109 loss to the Kings. New Orleans held Sacramento to 40% shooting from the field.

The Pelicans limited the Kings to 10 made threes on 30% shooting from deep. However, Sacramento went to the line 29 times, hitting 27 free throws. New Orleans gave up 17 offensive rebounds while recording 6 steals and 4 blocks.

Pacers Team Defense

Despite a strong defensive effort in the 4th quarter, where they allowed just 20 points, the Pelicans couldn’t overcome a rough 3rd quarter, giving up 38 points in a 111-109 loss to the Kings. Overall, New Orleans held Sacramento to 40% shooting from the field.

The Pelicans did well defending the three, with the Kings hitting just 10 threes at a 30% clip. However, Sacramento went to the line 29 times, making 27 free throws. New Orleans also gave up 17 offensive rebounds while recording 6 steals and 4 blocks.

Pelicans vs Pacers Trends

• In their last ten games away from home, the Pelicans have a straight up record of 0-10 while going 3-7 vs. the spread. The team averaged 98 points per game in this stretch.
• Indiana has played well in their previous three home games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 114 points per game while allowing 109. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
• In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Pelicans have a straight up record of 1-9 and an ATS mark of 6-4.
• In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Pacers have a straight up record of 1-4 and an ATS mark of 1-4.

Pelicans vs Pacers Prediction

Not only do we have the Pacers winning this one by a score of 116-102, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Pacers at -6.5.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 228, and our model projects the Pelicans and Pacers to reach a combined total of 218 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.