Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans - 12/28/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Indiana Pacers vs New Orleans Pelicans

Date: Saturday, December 28, 2019

Location: Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA

TV: Fox Sports New Orleans

Odds/Point Spread: Indiana -1

Total/Over-Under: 218

Domantas Sabonis and the Indiana Pacers (21-10, 2nd in the Central Division) go to Smoothie King Center on Saturday where they'll meet the New Orleans Pelicans (9-23, 5th in the Southwest Division). New Orleans opens this contest as 1 point dogs. The O/U is set at 218.

The Pacers cover the spread 56.7% of the time, having gone 17-13-1 ATS. New Orleans is covering 38.7% of the time, going 12-19-1 against the spread.

Key Indiana Pacers Injuries

12/25/2019 Victor Oladipo SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 27
12/23/2019 Malcolm Brogdon PG Groin Game Time Decision
12/23/2019 Naz Mitrou-Long SG Ankle Game Time Decision

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/18/2019 Zion Williamson SF Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 8
8/29/2019 Darius Miller SF Achilles Expected to be out until at least Apr 1

Player Spotlight

Malcolm Brogdon averages 18.3 points per game in 31.4 minutes per contest. He averages 7.6 assists per contest and 4.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 93%. Domantas Sabonis comes into this contest averaging 17.8 points per game while playing 34.4 minutes per night. He pulls down 13.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is at 74%.

Player Spotlight

Brandon Ingram averages 25.3 points per game and he sees the court an average of 34.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.1 rebounds per contest and 3.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 85%. Jrue Holiday averages 19.7 points per game while playing 35.9 minutes per contest. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 6.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 69%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pacers allow 105.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 4th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.9 rebounds a game which ranks 11th, and they give up 23.1 assists per contest which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league. Indiana averages 109.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 18th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 4.2 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 8th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 44.4 rebounds per game and 25.5 assists per contest, which ranks them 20th and 8th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 28th with 13.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans surrender 117.2 points per contest, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 19th in those defensive statistics. They rank 21st with 24.8 assists allowed per contest, and 23rd with 46.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 16th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.0 per game. New Orleans is 13th in the league with 111.6 points per game this year. They are 22nd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -5.6. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 7th in the NBA. They are 14th in the league in rebounding with 45.6 boards per game and 12th in assists per contest with 24.6. The Pelicans are 7th in turnovers per game with 16.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Pacers are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.2, and their defensive rating of 105 is ranked 7th. In terms of pace they are 24th in the league with 98.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 16th. As a team they are 17th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 29th in the league. Indiana is 25th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 27th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 11th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 9th in the league. The Pelicans are 21st in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.2, and their defensive rating of 112.6 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 5th in the league with 103.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 17th. As a team they are 19th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 5th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Pacers/Pelicans NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Indiana -1

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