Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions, Saturday, December 20, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Indiana Pacers (6-21) and the New Orleans Pelicans (6-22) meet in a non-conference matchup between two teams desperate for a win in this Pacers vs. Pelicans prediction. This is their first of two matchups this season. Indiana is coming off a 114-113 loss in New York, covering the spread as 3.5-point dogs. New Orleans took Houston to overtime and won 133-128 as 9.5-point road dogs. Tipoff is set for 7:00 EST. Keep reading to see our Pacers vs. Pelicans prediction, and check out all of our winning NBA Picks!
Indiana's Quick Fall
The Indiana Pacers were the surprise team of the postseason last year, as they made it all the way to the NBA Finals before ultimately falling to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder. Indiana's franchise point guard went down in the Finals, as Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles, which is the reason why he is still out of the lineup. Indiana has not been able to replicate last season's success without his, as they are currently in fifth place in the Central Division. In their last game, the Pacers got 31 points from Andrew Nembhard in the loss to New York.
Nembhard was a starter on last year's Finals team, and has been a quality starter this season when he is healthy enough to be on the floor. He has played in 19 games this season, starting in all of them, while averaging 18.0 PPG and 6.5 APG. Nembard hit four of his five three point attempts last time out against the Knicks. Pascal Siakam is their top scorer, he was a champion with Kawhi and the Raptors a few years back, and helped lead the Pacers to the Finals last year, but needs to prove he can carry an offense on his own. His numbers are strong, as he is averaging 23.8 PPG and 6.8 RPG. Bennedict Mathurin in blossoming into a quality NBA scorer, he is contributing 19.8 PPG as a 23-year old guard.
The Pacers have been starting Jay Huff in the middle as a 28-year old journeyman, and Quenton Jackson is an athletic 6'4 guard scoring 10.0 PPG who has been starting lately. The Pacers are ranked 27th in offensive efficiency and 20th in defensive efficiency according to dunksandthrees.com. Indiana plays at an average pace, ranking 16th in the league in possessions per game.
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Pelicans Win Three Straight
The New Orleans Pelicans have been a franchise that has battled injuries over seemingly the past decade, but have gained a slight bit of optimism as they have won their last three games coming into this one. The Pelicans took down the Blazers, Bulls and Rockets in their last three games, but still have a long way to go. New Orleans still has just six wins on the season, and find themselves last in their division, a full five games behind the Mavericks who sit fourth in the Southwest.
Zion Williamson is the biggest name for the Pelicans, but they have been bringing their star forward off the bench as he is returning from yet another injury. Zion is getting 20.7 PPG and 5.4 RPG, but more is still expected of the former number one pick who can jump out of the gym. Their top scorer this season has been Trey Murphy III, he is getting 21.3 PPG and 6.4 RPG as a 6'8 wing player. Murphy is their top outside shooter, making 2.7 threes per game on 36.7% shooting from deep. Jordan Poole has also been coming off the bench, as he averages 17.4 PPG as a perimeter scorer.
Jeremiah Fears is an exciting rookie in their starting lineup, he is getting 15.4 PPG, while Derik Queen is another rookie getting 12.8 PPG in the post. The Pelicans are ranked 23rd in offensive efficiency and 28th in defensive efficiency. They play only slightly faster than the Pacers, ranking 13th in the league in pace of play.
Injury Report for Pacers vs. Pelicans:
Pacers:
- Out: Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith, Ben Sheppard, Obi Toppin
- Questionable: Tony Bradley
Pelicans:
- Out: Dejounte Murray
Pacers vs. Pelicans Picks and Predictions
Spread pick for Pacers vs. Pelicans
- Pelicans -3 (5 units)
These teams are both struggling to find wins, but the Pelicans are healthier, have more momentum, and are playing at home, they will cover this relatively small number. The Pelicans have Zion back in the lineup, they are bringing the big man off the bench to ease him back, but he is still available for crunch time minutes when needed. Meanwhile, the Pacers knew they would be without Haliburton, but their depth is going to be a problem with Nesmith, Sheppard and Toppin out. The Pelicans have young talent who are looking to get going, including Fears and Queen who are having strong rookie campaigns. New Orleans is in a good spot here, and will get the cover.
Take the Pelicans to win and cover.
Over/Under Pick for Pacers vs. Pelicans
- Under 234.5 (4 units)
There will not be a lot of offense in this one, as each team will play conservatively while hoping to get their seventh win of the season. The Pacers have been dealing with injuries all season, which is why the reigning Eastern Conference Champions find themselves near the bottom of the conference just a few months later. Haliburton was their offensive initiator, and they have not been able to replicate his presence on the floor. The Pelicans are bringing Zion off the bench, and only playing him roughly 20 minutes a night as they are worried about him going down with another injury. The Pacers have gone under in four of their last five, and will go under again here.
Take the under.
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