The Indiana Pacers will try to return to their recent winning ways as they close out a four-game homestand against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
Indiana is playing well defensively, and that’s enough for me to pick them to cover in my Pelicans vs. Pacers predictions for tonight.
Keep reading for a full breakdown of this matchup in my free NBA picks for Friday, January 16.
Pelicans vs Pacers prediction
Pelicans vs Pacers best bet: Indiana Pacers -4.5 (-110)
While the Indiana Pacers are coming off a 115-101 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, that defeat snapped the team’s longest winning streak of the year. Granted, that was only a run of three wins in a row, but for these two teams, that qualifies as a hot streak.
Indiana has seen its fortunes improve as the team has played better defense over the past week. The Pacers have allowed 115 points or fewer in each of their last four games, a solid run for a team that has been allowing 118.3 ppg on the year.
That defensive resurgence should play well against the New Orleans Pelicans. New Orleans scored its 10th win of the season on Wednesday by beating the Brooklyn Nets 116-113, but this is still far from an elite offensive squad.
The Pelicans are averaging 114.9 ppg and rank 23rd in the NBA in offensive rating (110.1), and are a concerning 3-15 away from home so far this season.
While Indiana isn’t setting the world on fire, it has been coming through for bettors, covering in four of its last five games.
Meanwhile, New Orleans is just 2-7 against the spread in its last nine, going 1-4 ATS on the road in that stretch. I like the Pacers to continue their recent uptick and cover this small spread at home.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account
Pelicans vs Pacers same-game parlay
The Pacers will thrive in what should be a low-scoring game, as the Under has a 27-14 advantage in Indiana’s games this year, while also in six of the last eight games for the Pelicans.
I’ll also take Pascal Siakam to hit his scoring Over at 25.5 points, as he’s taking on more of the scoring load lately due to Bennedict Mathurin’s thumb injury.
Pelicans vs Pacers SGP
- Indiana Pacers -3.5
- Pascal Siakam Over 25.5 points
- Under 239.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Walker for Three!
Jarace Walker has hit at least two shots from beyond the three-point line in six of his last seven outings.
Pelicans vs Pacers SGP
- Indiana Pacers -3.5
- Pascal Siakam Over 25.5 points
- Under 239.5
- Jarace Walker Over 1.5 made threes
Pelicans vs Pacers odds
- Spread: Pelicans +3 (-110) | Pacers -3 (-110)
- Moneyline: Pelicans +115 | Pacers -135
- Over/Under: Over 236.5 (-110) | Under 236.5 (-110)
Pelicans vs Pacers betting trend to know
The Pacers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Pacers.
How to watch Pelicans vs Pacers
| Location | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN |
| Date | Friday, January 16, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | GCSEN, FDSN Indiana |
Pelicans vs Pacers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
