Prediction: Indiana Pacers VS New Orleans Pelicans 2025-12-20

Pelicans vs. Pacers: A Tale of Two Teams (One with Legs, the Other Without)

The New Orleans Pelicans, currently riding a three-game winning streak, are favored by -2.5 points over the Indiana Pacers in what promises to be a game as lopsided as a beignet without the sugar. Let’s break this down with the statistical precision of a jazz musician tuning a trumpet—and the humor of a local guide explaining why the Pelicans’ offense is still functional while the Pacers’ looks like a broken lego set.

Parsing the Odds: Pelicans Have the Upper Hand (and Legs)
The Pelicans’ implied probability of 59.7% win chance versus the Pacers’ 44.2% isn’t just numbers—it’s a mathematical middle finger to the concept of “competitive balance.” New Orleans has covered the spread 18 times in 28 games this season, while Indiana’s ATS record (14-13) is about as reliable as a free-trial subscription. The Pelicans’ recent dominance includes a franchise-record 22-point comeback against the Rockets, a feat that would make even the most jaded New Orleans Saints fan blush with pride.

Key stat: The Pelicans average 3.5 points above the 235.5 over/under line, while the Pacers sit 2.1 points below. Combined with Indiana’s injury-riddled roster (more on that in a sec), this suggests the total points scored Saturday might resemble a “meh” more than a “hell yeah.”

Injury Report: Pacers Are Missing More Than Just Players
Indiana’s roster reads like a “Where’s Waldo?” for NBA stars. Tyrese Haliburton (torn Achilles), Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, and T.J. McConnell are all out, leaving the Pacers with the bench strength of a team that lost a game of musical chairs. Quenton Jackson’s return from a hamstring injury is a silver lining, but even he can’t single-handedly replace a Hall of Fame-caliber point guard.

Coach Rick Carlisle’s decision to reintegrate Jackson into the starting five is valiant, but it’s like trying to fix a leaky boat with duct tape and optimism. Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam remains a scoring machine (23.8 PPG), but even he can’t carry a team that’s missing its offensive IQ.

The Pelicans? They’re rolling with a healthy core, including Trey Murphy III (20+ points in seven straight games) and Derik Queen (16/12 double-double in their last win). Herb Jones’ 8 steals in that same game? That’s not just defense—that’s psychological warfare.

Humorously Yours: Pelicans Have the “Je Ne Sais Quoi” of Chaos
The Pacers’ injuries are so severe, their starting lineup might as well be “Pascal, Quenton, and three guys named ‘Mystery.’” They lost to the Knicks by allowing five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter—because nothing says “title contender” like blowing a lead to a team that’s 14-11.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans’ recent streak is the sports equivalent of a jazz improvisation: chaotic, unpredictable, and somehow always landing on the right note. Their 133-128 OT win over Houston? A masterclass in “we’re not great, but we’re glorious.”

Prediction: Pelicans Cover the Spread, Pacers Cover Their Embarrassment
The Pelicans’ home-court advantage, combined with Indiana’s depleted roster, makes this a near-lock for New Orleans. The -2.5 spread is a kindness, not a challenge—like giving a toddler a training wheel and calling it a “race.”

Final Score Prediction: Pelicans 118, Pacers 113. The over/under? Under 235.5, because the Pacers’ offense is about as explosive as a wet sponge.

So, bet the Pelicans to cover the spread, and maybe throw in a prayer for Tyrese Haliburton’s recovery. This game isn’t just a mismatch—it’s a masterclass in why the Pelicans are 6-22 and still somehow fun.

“The Pelicans play with the heart of New Orleans—resilient, loud, and occasionally covered in gumbo.”

Created: Dec. 20, 2025, 9:32 a.m. GMT

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