Pelicans vs Pacers Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NBA Picks Today (2/28): New Orleans Plagued by Lack of Rest

Today’s Pelicans vs Pacers prediction and NBA best bets are brought to you by Bovada. Bovada is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from the NBA to the UFC and everything in between.

The NBA has a pair of ESPN national broadcasts scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 28, beginning with a clash between the New Orleans Pelicans (35-24) and Indiana Pacers (33-26) at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Quite Frankly… that was a good win#Pelicans | @HancockWhitney pic.twitter.com/lsQ1Zpp4a4

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 28, 2024

The Pelicans were just in action last night, picking up a 115-92 win over the New York Knicks as Trey Murphy III led the way with a game-high 26 points. On the other side, the Pacers hope for a turnaround after their three-game winning streak ended with a 130-122 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Monday.

Although both teams have seen their fair share of success this season, oddsmakers view neither as a title threat at the moment. New Orleans currently holds the 15th-best odds to win the 2023-24 NBA Finals (+7000) while Indiana is slightly further down the list at 17th (+10000), per Bovada’s futures markets.

Without wasting any more time, let’s get into my Pelicans vs. Pacers betting preview.

Pelicans vs Pacers NBA Betting Tonight (2/28)

Pelicans vs Pacers Matchup Information

• Matchup: New Orleans Pelicans (35-24, 18-12 Away) vs. Indiana Pacers (33-26, 19-12 Home)
• Venue & Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)
• Date: Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Pelicans vs. Pacers: ESPN

Pacers vs Pelicans Odds & Spread

Pacers vs. Pelicans odds are courtesy of Bovada as of Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 8:56 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Pelicans vs Pacers Spread

• New Orleans Pelicans +5.5 (-105)
• Indiana Pacers -5.5 (-115)

Pacers vs Pelicans Over/Under

• Over 239.5 Points (-110)
• Under 239.5 Points (-110)

Pelicans vs Pacers Moneyline

• New Orleans Pelicans (+185)
• Indiana Pacers (-225)

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NBA Best Bets and Picks Tonight

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Pelicans vs Pacers NBA Betting Trends

• New Orleans is 3-10 straight up in its last 13 road games vs. Indiana.
• Indiana is 6-3 straight up in its last nine games.
• New Orleans is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games played in February.
• Indiana is 4-10-1 ATS in its last 15 games vs. New Orleans.
• The total hit the Under in seven of New Orleans’ last eight road games.
• The total hit the Under in eight of Indiana’s last 11 games as the favorite.

Pelicans vs Pacers Prediction & NBA Picks Today (2/28): Can New Orleans Finally Win in Indy?

It’ll be interesting to see how the Pelicans perform following last night’s victory. Although momentum is on the visitors’ side, it’s worth noting that they’re 4-5 SU with a minus-0.9 average scoring margin when playing without any days of rest this year.

Nevertheless, the Pelicans have still been one of the NBA’s better teams lately, now boasting a 9-3 SU record across their last 12 games. Their 75.0% winning percentage is tied for second-best in the league during that stretch as they also rank sixth with a plus-7.9 point margin. Additionally, New Orleans held those opponents to 105.9 PPG (3rd) on 45.2% field-goal (5th) and 34.5% three-point (5th) percentages.

The Pacers have also been solid lately, though, picking up wins in six of their past nine outings. Unsurprisingly, Indiana’s offense has been the main key to that success, averaging 121.6 PPG (3rd) while shooting 52.0% from the field (2nd) and 38.5% from deep (8th) across that run.

Rick Carlisle’s team has also been remarkably responsible with the ball over the last nine games, too, averaging the second-most assists (32.7) with the seventh-fewest turnovers (12.3).

Can the Pacers’ blistering offense solve the Pelicans’ stout defense tonight? 

As far as the recent history between these teams goes, things have been fairly even. They’ve split the last six games with three wins apiece as neither has won consecutive outings since the Pelicans won two in a row during the 2019-20 NBA season.

Having said that, the fact that tonight’s meeting is in Indianapolis could spell bad news for New Orleans. The Pelicans have dropped 10 of their last 13 trips to Gainbridge Fieldhouse and have lost their two most recent visits by an average of 12.0 points. In fact, the Pelicans haven’t defeated the Pacers on the road since February 2021.

On the flip side, New Orleans has performed well away from home lately, emerging victorious in six of their last seven road games. While the Pacers have won six of their nine previous games in their own backyard, Monday’s home loss to the Raptors has left a bad taste in some people’s mouths. A full 48-minute effort is needed tonight.

As far as the injury situation goes, the Pelicans will be without CJ McCollum (ankle) and Dyson Daniels (knee) whereas the Pacers are missing Doug McDermott (calf) while Aaron Nesmith (ankle) is questionable.

The Pelicans will be without CJ McCollum (ankle) tonight. They’re 7-9 SU without him this season. 

At the end of the day, I’m taking the Pacers to win. The Pelicans are a decent team, but they’re playing without rest and are competing for the fifth time in seven days, whereas the Pacers have only played three games during that span. Indiana also has the advantage of playing this game at home where they’ve been productive throughout the campaign.

I’m also inclined to back the Under on the 239.5-point total. After all, the Under is 5-2 in the Pelicans’ last seven games as well as 7-1 in their eight previous road contests. Not only is the Under 5-2 in the Pacers’ last seven games, too, but the projected total also wasn’t met in eight of their last 11 outings as the favorite.

Considering how the last five of the last six New Orleans-Indiana tilts failed to surpass 239.5 points, it’s best to temper expectations tonight.

Pelicans vs Pacers Prediction: IND wins

Best Pelicans vs Pacers NBA Bet: u239.5 Total Points (-110)

Get 50% up to $750 on your Pelicans vs. Pacers pick today over at Bovada

Best Pelicans vs Pacers NBA Prop Bet (2/28)

Although I’m someone who enjoys backing the Over, I’m taking Tyrese Haliburton to finish with under 2.5 threes made for my Pelicans vs. Pacers player prop pick of the night.

On paper, Haliburton has been having a great season from deep, averaging 3.1 threes made with a 39.3% success rate. Having said that, he hasn’t been nearly as effective lately. The 23-year-old guard is averaging 2.2 three-pointers while shooting 35.4% from downtown across his last 16 games, finishing with the Under 10 times — including in each of his last two outings.

Furthermore, the Under is a dominant 8-1 across Haliburton’s last nine home games. In other words, don’t be surprised if he struggles on the outside this evening.