Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Prediction: Injury Report, Starting 5s, Betting Odds & Picks - December 26 | 2022-23 NBA Season
Indiana Pacers will conclude a three-game road trip tonight when they travel to Louisiana to take on New Orleans Pelicans. A win for the Pacers would make it a perfect 3-0 trip and push them into a tie for sixth seed in the East.
New Orleans have also won their last two, and a third straight win would help them keep pace with the rest of the Western Conference's elite for the top spot. They've managed to play well this season despite rarely having the first choice squad together.
The two teams met in November, with the Pacers coming away with a 129-122 victory at home. Can they repeat that performance for a season-sweep, or will it be the Pelicans' time for revenge on their home court?
Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Match Details
Fixture: Indiana Pacers @ New Orleans Pelicans
Date and Time: Monday, December 26, 8 p.m. ET
Venue: Smoothie King Center
Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with a myriad of injuries and illness-related absences at the moment.
The Pacers have four players listed as questionable or out tonight. Kendall Brown, Aaron Nesmith, Jalen Smith, and Daniel Theis are the ones being attended to.
The Pelicans have six players listed on their injury report for tonight's game. Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones, and E.J. Liddell are all out. Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr. are questionable, while Zion Williamson is doubtful.
Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
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Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Starting 5s
Pacers: PG - Tyrese Haliburton, SG - Andrew Nembhard, SF - Buddy Hield, PF - Aaron Nesmith, C - Myles Turner
Pelicans: PG - Jose Alvarado, SG- CJ McCollum, SF - Trey Murphy III, PF - Naji Marshall, C - Jonas Valanciunas
Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
The Pelicans are noticeably shorthanded again, but at this point, that's the norm for the season in New Orleans. They've managed to be one of the best teams in the NBA despite injuries.
They have better numbers across the board, especially in the first quarter. The Pacers are 29th in first-quarter scoring and 28th in first-quarter defense. The Pelicans average the second-most points in the first quarter and are 9th in defense in the opening quarter.
The Pacers will be catching up all night and will not come close to a much superior Pelicans squad.
Prediction: New Orleans Pelicans -3.0 (-110)
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