New Orleans Pelicans at Indiana Pacers Expert NBA Picks 2/22/2019

Friday, February 22, 2019

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans head to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Pacers on Friday, February 22, 2019. The opening line for this game has Indiana as 6.5 point favorites.

The Pelicans head into this matchup with a mark of 26-33. They are 4th in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 0.8 as they average 115.6 points per contest while giving up 114.8 per game. The Pacers have an overall record of 38-20 this season. They are 2nd in the Central Division. They average 108.1 points per game and surrender 102.9, good for a point differential of 5.2.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 28-30-1 against the spread this season

The New Orleans Pelicans are 30-28-0 against the over/under this year

Important Indiana Pacers Betting Trends

The Indiana Pacers are 29-28-1 against the spread this season

The Indiana Pacers are 23-35-0 against the over/under this year

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

02/18/19 F Anthony Davis Shoulder is probable Friday vs Indiana
02/15/19 PG Elfrid Payton Ankle is questionable Friday vs Indiana

Key Indiana Pacers Injuries

01/24/19 G Victor Oladipo Knee is out for season

Player Spotlight

Jahlil Okafor comes into this game averaging 7.9 points per contest while playing 15.0 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.8 rebounds per contest and distributes 0.6 assists per game. His FG percentage is 60% while his free throw percentage is 71%. Jrue Holiday averages 21.1 points per contest in 36.4 minutes per game. He averages 7.9 assists per game and 5.1 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 47% for the season while his free throw percentage is 77%.

Player Spotlight

Bojan Bogdanovic scores 16.8 points per contest while playing 31.8 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.0 rebounds per contest and has 1.8 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Domantas Sabonis averages 14.1 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 24.8 minutes per game. He also brings in 9.2 rebounds per game and has 2.7 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 61% and his free throw percentage is 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 115.6 points per contest, which is 4th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.8 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 5th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They average 47.0 boards per contest and 26.8 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 12th with 14.3 per game. The Pelicans allow 114.8 points per contest, which is 27th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 25th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 44.7 rebounds a game which ranks 16th, and they allow 25.9 assists per game which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 13.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 6th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Indiana is 22nd in the NBA with 108.1 points per contest this season. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 5.22. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 6th in the league. They are 24th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.3 boards per contest and 8th in assists per game with 26.1. The Pacers are 21st in turnovers per contest with 13.9. The Pacers give up 102.9 points per game, which ranks them 1st in the league. Their defense surrenders a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 4th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 13th with 24.2 dimes allowed per game and 3rd with 42.9 boards surrendered per contest. The Pacers are 27th in the league in forcing turnovers with 16.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.1, and their defensive rating of 112.3 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 102.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 9th. As a team they are 9th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 24th in the league. New Orleans is 18th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 11th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Indiana is 13th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the NBA. The Pacers are 17th in the league in defensive rating with 104.6, and their offensive rating of 109.9 is ranked 2nd. They are 25th in the NBA in pace with 98.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 11th. As a unit they are 14th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 28th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Pelicans/Pacers NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take New Orleans +6.5

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