Indiana Pacers Host New Orleans Pelicans in Friday Night Showdown as Both Teams Seek Momentum

Indianapolis, IN – The Indiana Pacers are set to host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, marking the second and final regular-season contest between the two struggling franchises. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The New Orleans Pelicans enter the matchup with a 10-33 record, currently fifth in the Southwest Division, and will be aiming to complete a two-game season sweep against the Pacers, who sit at 9-32 and are also fifth in the Central Division.

Both teams are looking to rebound from recent defeats and salvage what has been a challenging 2025-26 NBA season thus far. The Pelicans are coming off a narrow 116-113 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, a much-needed win that broke a three-game losing streak and provided a rare moment of offensive fluidity. Despite their struggles, New Orleans showcased resilience in Brooklyn, with key offensive contributors stepping up in critical moments to secure the road win. However, their overall road record remains a significant concern, standing at a dismal 3-15 for the season, a statistic that looms large heading into Indianapolis.

Conversely, the Indiana Pacers suffered a 115-101 home defeat to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. The loss highlighted persistent issues with defensive consistency and offensive droughts that have plagued the team throughout the season. The Pacers have struggled to protect their home court, holding a 7-16 record at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, a performance that falls short of expectations for a team with playoff aspirations entering the season. The home-court advantage, often a critical factor, has yet to materialize consistently for Indiana this year.

Injuries will play a significant role in Friday’s contest, impacting both teams’ rotations and strategic approaches. The New Orleans Pelicans will be without the services of Herbert Jones, sidelined with an ankle injury, and Jose Alvarado, who is recovering from an oblique strain. Jones’ absence leaves a considerable void on the defensive end, where his versatility and disruptive presence are highly valued, often tasked with guarding the opposition’s primary perimeter threat. Alvarado, a dynamic guard known for his tenacious defense and playmaking off the bench, will also be missed, further thinning the Pelicans’ guard rotation and reducing their defensive intensity in the backcourt. Their absences could force head coach Willie Green to experiment with less experienced lineups or lean more heavily on his starters for extended minutes.

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For the Indiana Pacers, rising star Bennedict Mathurin will miss the game due to a thumb injury, a significant blow to their offensive firepower. Mathurin, who has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, provides crucial scoring and athleticism from the wing position. His absence will undoubtedly place more pressure on the remaining perimeter players to generate offense. Additionally, Isaiah Jackson is out with a concussion, impacting the Pacers’ frontcourt depth and defensive rebounding. Jackson’s energy and shot-blocking ability off the bench will be missed, potentially exposing the Pacers to vulnerabilities in the paint against a Pelicans team that often attacks inside. Head coach Rick Carlisle will need to adjust his defensive schemes and offensive flow to compensate for these key absences.

The first encounter between these two teams earlier in the season saw the Pelicans emerge victorious, setting the stage for New Orleans’ attempt at a season sweep. While details of that initial game are not immediately available, the fact that New Orleans secured a win suggests they found a way to exploit Indiana’s weaknesses or overcome their own. This previous result adds an extra layer of motivation for both sides: the Pelicans aiming for a clean sweep and the Pacers seeking revenge and a much-needed home victory.

Despite their inferior record, the Indiana Pacers are listed as 4-point favorites in the latest Pelicans vs. Pacers odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. This favoring of the Pacers likely stems from the Pelicans’ dire 3-15 road record and the perceived boost of playing at home, even if their home performance has been inconsistent. The over/under for total points scored is set at a high 241.5, reflecting a potential expectation of an uptempo game with both teams exhibiting defensive vulnerabilities, despite the absence of key offensive players for both sides. The money line further underscores Indiana’s favoritism, with the Pacers at -174 and the Pelicans at +145.

For those considering betting on the matchup, the SportsLine Projection Model offers data-driven insights. This model, which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, boasts an impressive track record, returning well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. Entering Week 13 of the 2025-26 NBA season, the model is on a sizzling 34-15 roll on top-rated NBA spread picks dating back to last season.

After simulating the Pelicans vs. Pacers game 10,000 times, the SportsLine model has revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. It is currently leaning towards the "Under" on the total points, projecting a combined score of 239 points. This projection suggests that the 241.5 over/under might be too high, with the "Under" hitting in 55% of simulations. This could be attributed to the impact of the injuries on offensive flow for both teams, or perhaps a stronger-than-expected defensive effort from two teams desperate for a win. The model has also generated an against-the-spread pick that is reported to hit well over 60% of the time, offering further guidance for bettors.

For fans looking to watch the game, streaming options are available through platforms such as Fubo, which offers a free trial.

The Friday night encounter between the Pelicans and the Pacers presents a unique dynamic: two teams at the bottom of their respective divisions, both grappling with injuries and inconsistencies, yet each with a distinct objective. For New Orleans, it’s an opportunity to secure a rare season sweep and build on their recent road win, potentially sparking some much-needed momentum. For Indiana, it’s a chance to defend their home court, avenge an earlier loss, and demonstrate that their season can still turn a corner. The outcome will hinge on which team can better navigate its injury woes, execute its game plan, and show greater resolve under pressure.

Key Betting Lines (DraftKings Sportsbook):

• Pelicans vs. Pacers spread: Indiana -4
• Pelicans vs. Pacers over/under: 241.5 points
• Pelicans vs. Pacers money line: Indiana -174, New Orleans +145

Injury Report:

• New Orleans Pelicans: Herbert Jones (ankle, out), Jose Alvarado (oblique, out)
• Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin (thumb, out), Isaiah Jackson (concussion, out)

Upcoming Fixtures:
Following this contest, the New Orleans Pelicans will continue their road trip before returning home for a series of divisional matchups, looking to improve their standing in the competitive Southwest. The Indiana Pacers will embark on a short road stint before hosting several Eastern Conference opponents, aiming to climb out of the Central Division’s basement. Both teams face challenging schedules in the coming weeks as they strive to find consistency and define the trajectory of their seasons.

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