New Orleans Pelicans vs Indiana Pacers Betting Pick & Prediction 12/15/24

At 5:00 ET, the Pacers (-267) will host the Pelicans (+221) in a non-conference matchup. Indiana is favored by 6.5 points and the over/under is 228.

New Orleans (5-21) has lost three in a row and is 15th in the Western Conference. Indiana (11-15) is 8th in the East and 3rd in the Central Division.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS VS INDIANA PACERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Indiana Pacers -6.5

This game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 5:00 ET on Sunday, December 15th.

WHY BET THE INDIANA PACERS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 116-102 in favor of the Pacers.
  • Our projections have Pascal Siakam finishing with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
  • From the field, we have the Pacers finishing with a field goal percentage of 50.0% and knocking down 12 threes.

Can New Orleans Stun the Crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse?

The Pelicans fell to 5-21 on the season after a 111-109 home loss to the Kings on Thursday. New Orleans came into the game as +7 point underdogs and managed to cover the spread, but couldn’t secure the win. The total points for the game ended at 220, falling short of the 232.5-point line.

A 14-0 run by the Kings early in the game put the Pelicans in a tough spot, but New Orleans responded by winning the 2nd quarter 29-25. Sacramento took control again in the 3rd, outscoring the Pelicans 38-28. New Orleans made a push in the 4th, holding the Kings to 20 points while scoring 26, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

CJ McCollum’s 36-point performance, including 6 threes at 54.5%, led the Pelicans in their 109-point effort against the Kings. He scored 17 points in the 4th quarter, while Trey Murphy added 16 of his 21 points in the 1st quarter.

New Orleans hit 14 threes at 37.8%, with an overall shooting percentage of 47%. Dejounte Murray contributed 20 points and 9 assists, scoring 9 points in the 3rd quarter.

Defensively, the Pelicans had a strong 4th quarter, allowing just 20 points, but their 3rd quarter lapse, where they gave up 38 points, proved costly in their 111-109 loss to the Kings. Overall, they held Sacramento to 40% shooting, including 30% from beyond the arc, with the Kings making 10 threes.

New Orleans sent the Kings to the line 29 times, where they converted 27 free throws. The Pelicans grabbed 33 defensive rebounds but allowed 17 offensive boards. They also contributed 6 steals and 4 blocks.

Will the Indiana Defense Show Up at Home?

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

Indiana started strong with a 14-0 run, pushing the score from 9-4 to 23-4. They led 31-22 after the 1st quarter and 30-28 in the 2nd. Philadelphia fought back in the 3rd, outscoring the Pacers 33-29, but Indiana closed out the game by winning the 4th quarter 31-24.

Tyrese Haliburton knocked down 7 threes at a 46.7% rate, finishing with 32 points and 11 assists in the Pacers’ win over the 76ers. He hit 12 points in the 1st quarter and added 10 more in the 3rd.

Pascal Siakam shot 81.8% from the field, contributing 23 points and 8 rebounds, while Obi Toppin added 20 points and 8 boards. The Pacers hit 14 threes as a team, shooting 36.8% from deep and 51.6% overall.

Defensively, the Pacers held the 76ers to 107 points on Friday, giving up 22 in the 1st quarter and 24 in the 4th. Indiana allowed 33 points in the 3rd quarter but still managed to secure the win.

Indiana limited Philadelphia to 43% shooting, including 10 made threes at a 40% clip. The 76ers went 23/32 from the free-throw line. The Pacers also recorded 9 steals and 4 blocks.