The Indiana Pacers travel to the Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans. Both teams start the NBA Regular Season with a clean slate. The game airs on the Gulf channel on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 8:00 PM.
The Pacers, coached by Rick Carlisle, play in the Eastern Conference's Central Division. They struggled in the preseason with a 1-3 record. Despite that, Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam have shown strong performances in recent games.
The Pelicans, led by Jamahl Mosley, belong to the Western Conference's Southwest Division. They completed the preseason with a 3-1 record. Players like Saddiq Bey and Jeremiah Fears have contributed well in their recent games.
The game odds favor the Pacers with a spread of -3.5. The over/under is set at 239.5. It will be interesting to see how these odds play out on the court.
Pelicans vs Pacers At a Glance
- Game Venue: Smoothie King Center
- Game Time: Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 8:00 PM
- TV Channel: Gulf
- Pacers Record: 0-0 for the regular season
- Pelicans Record: 0-0 for the regular season
- Odds Favorite: Pacers with a -3.5 spread
New Orleans Pelicans: Analyzing the Home Team for the Upcoming Game
Recent Performance
The New Orleans Pelicans recently secured a close win against the Washington Wizards, finishing 107-106. This victory highlighted the team's ability to edge out tight games. Prior to that, they had another win over the Dallas Mavericks with a score of 101-97.
In their game against the Miami Heat, the Pelicans fell short, losing 118-128. Despite the loss, they showcased strong offensive performance with 118 points.
Key Players to Watch
Jeremiah Fears has been impressive in the preseason, averaging 13.2 points per game. His shooting accuracy stands out with a 50% field goal percentage.
Zion Williamson remains a central figure for the Pelicans. He has contributed 10 points per game and is shooting at 50% from the field.
Depth and Injuries
The Pelicans have a solid depth chart with players like Derik Queen and Yves Missi covering the center position. Zion Williamson leads the power forwards, providing strength in the frontcourt.
Dejounte Murray is currently questionable due to a toe injury. His status could impact the team's backcourt performance.
Upcoming Games
The Pelicans are set to face the Indiana Pacers at home next. This game will take place at the Smoothie King Center.
Following that, they will hit the road to play against the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets. These away games will test the Pelicans' adaptability on the road.
Team Betting Trends
- In their last 3 games, the Pelicans have won 1 and lost 2.
- Over the last 10 games, they have only secured 1 win.
- As favorites, they have a strong record, winning 13 out of 17 games.
- Against the spread in all games, they have a winning percentage of 54.9%.
- The over has hit 100% of the time in their last 3 games.
Indiana Pacers Prepare for Game Night
Team Overview
The Indiana Pacers have been working hard during the preseason. They aim to improve their performance for the upcoming regular season. Recent games have been close, showing potential for growth.
Key Players to Watch
Tyrese Haliburton is a player to keep an eye on. He averaged 16 points, 5 assists, and 2 rebounds per game in the preseason. His ability to lead the team is crucial.
Pascal Siakam adds strength to the Pacers lineup. In the preseason, he scored 13.2 points per game and shot 50% from the field. His consistency can help the team in tough situations.
Recent Performance
The Pacers lost a close game against the Milwaukee Bucks, 128-127. Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton were top performers. Siakam scored 24 points, while Haliburton added 17 points.
In another tight game, they fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 114-112. Ivica Zubac played well, scoring 13 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. The team needs to work on finishing games strong.
Injury Report
T.J. McConnell is out with an undisclosed injury. Aaron Nesmith is sidelined due to a hamstring issue. Johnny Furphy will miss the start of the season with a knee injury.
Betting Trends
- The Pacers are 1-2 in their last 3 games straight up.
- They are 3-0 against the spread in their last 3 games.
- The team has a 42-40 record in totals (over/under) for all games.
- As an underdog, they are 15-57 straight up and 36-36 against the spread.
Pelicans vs Pacers Prediction: Under 239.5
The Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans kick off their season at the Smoothie King Center. The preseason showed different stories for both teams. The Pacers struggled with a 1-3 record, while the Pelicans performed better at 3-1.
The recent head-to-head history suggests a close battle. In their last 10 games, the Pacers hold a slight edge with 5 wins. The games often resulted in narrow margins and did not always hit high totals.
The betting line has the total set at 239.5 points. This is a high mark considering the teams' recent scoring patterns and preseason form. The data leans towards a lower scoring game.
Considering all factors, the pick here is the under. A projected final score of Pacers 115 - Pelicans 110 fits the under prediction.
- Pelicans vs Pacers Prediction: Under 239.5
- Pelicans vs Pacers Score: Pacers 115 - Pelicans 110
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