The NBA’s top scoring defense will be a 5.5-point favorite at home in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, when the Indiana Pacers (38-20) meet the New Orleans Pelicans (26-33). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 220 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 22, 2019.
New Orleans Pelicans at Indiana Pacers Betting Odds
The Pelicans come in on a high note after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in their last contest, 131-122, as 4.5-point underdogs. The Pacers, meanwhile, were beaten by the Milwaukee Bucks, 106-97, and were unable to cover as 4.5-point underdogs. The New Orleans game went 14.5 points over the projected point total of 238.5, while the Indiana game went 16 points under the projected point total of 219.
The Pelicans knocked down 19 of their 24 free throws (79.2 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.609 (above their season average of 0.531). Indiana, on the other hand, held Milwaukee to an effective field goal percentage of 0.494 (below their season average of 0.553). Indiana’s Bojan Bogdanovic had a good outing, finishing with 20 points and six rebounds. Meanwhile, New Orleans rallied around Julius Randle, who finished with 33 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
In their first matchup this season, Domantas Sabonis led the Pacers to a 109-107 win. He registered a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. The two teams combined to put up 216 points, which was just under the projected point total of 219, and Indiana was unable to cover as a 3.5-point favorite. Indiana had a much better turnover percentage (8.1 vs. 13.7). New Orleans, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (27.1 vs. 16.0).
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Pelicans games, with 30 overs compared to 28 unders. New Orleans comes into the game with records of 26-33 straight up (SU) and 28-30-1 against the spread (ATS).
Pacers games have a tendency to go under the total (60.3 percent). Moreover, Indiana is 38-20 SU and 29-28-1 ATS.
This contest should be a matchup of contrasting styles. New Orleans likes to play quickly (seventh in possessions per game), while Indiana is slower-paced (26th in possessions per game).
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Indiana Pacers Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Pacers rank third in rebounds allowed per game (42.9) while the Pelicans rank 14th (44.7).
- Indiana ranks seventh in assists per game (26.1) while New Orleans ranks 27th in assists allowed per game (25.9).
- The Pacers rank fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (43.8) while the Pelicans rank 19th (49.9).
- New Orleans ranks fourth in blocks per game (5.7) while Indiana ranks 18th (5.0).
- Indiana ranks 16th in three pointers allowed per game (31.9) while New Orleans ranks 27th (33.5).
- The Pacers average 8.8 steals per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The Pelicans rank 23rd in steals allowed per game (8.2).
- The Pelicans rank fifth in second chance points per game (14.5) while the Pacers rank 18th (13.2).
- Indiana ranks 10th in fast break points per game (15.0) while New Orleans ranks 20th in fast break points allowed per game (14.6).
- Indiana averages 19.7 points off turnovers per game, which ranks third in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 21st in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.5).
- Indiana is 21-3 when they allow under 100 points, while New Orleans is 5-2.
- In games where they score above 100 points, the Pelicans are 26-27 and the Pacers are 33-10.
- Indiana is 17-13 ATS at home, while New Orleans is 14-16-1 ATS on the road.
- In 31 road games, the Pelicans have 17 overs and 14 unders.
- Of the Pacers’ 30 home games, they have 22 unders and 8 overs.
Bettings Trends:
- The Pacers are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Pelicans are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Indiana has 4 unders and 1 over, while New Orleans has 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Pacers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 16.2, up from 5.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 111.2 points per game (4.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 115.2 points per game (0.4 above their season average).
