Betting tips from AI for New Orleans Pelicans vs Indiana Pacers, 21 December 2025.

This shapes up as a desperate, low-margin home spot where New Orleans' firepower and Smoothie King Center edge should matter. FOX Sports projects a tight 119-114 Pelicans win and oddsmakers already tilt 56% toward New Orleans — the books have the Pelicans at 1.68 while the Pacers sit at 2.30. New Orleans can explode offensively (143 points vs Portland) and will be desperate to stop Indiana’s mini-streak.

Indiana has beaten New Orleans recently and swept the season series, but the Pacers are just 6-21 and on a three-game skid despite a gritty 120-105 win in Chicago and Jarace Walker’s steady 9.5 points. Given home advantage, recent scoring upside, and the book market leaning New Orleans, I side with the Pelicans to snap the streak.

This NBA clash between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Indiana Pacers at Smoothie King Center is shaping up to be a true battle of attrition. Both teams are mired in disappointing seasons, with the Pacers at 6-21 and the Pelicans barely better at 6-22, making this a desperate, must-win game for both. While the Pacers have had the upper hand recently, sweeping their last few encounters including a decisive 119-104 victory on December 15, the narrative shifts for this home game.

Oddsmakers are now leaning heavily towards New Orleans, with implied probabilities suggesting a 56% chance of a Pelicans win, reflected in their 1.68 odds. FOX Sports analysts also anticipate a tight Pelicans victory, predicting a 119-114 scoreline, banking on New Orleans' scoring edge. Despite their recent struggles, the Pelicans showed their offensive firepower in a commanding 143-120 win over Portland. This, coupled with the home-court advantage, should be enough for the Pelicans to snap their losing streak against the Pacers and secure a much-needed win.

This battle of struggling teams presents a fascinating betting opportunity. While both squads have abysmal records (Pelicans 6-22, Pacers 6-21), New Orleans enters as the 1.68 favorite at home. The recent head-to-head trends favor Indiana, who swept their recent matchups including a convincing 119-104 win just days ago on December 15.

However, the Pelicans showed explosive offensive potential in their 143-120 dismantling of Portland, demonstrating they can erupt when conditions align. The oddsmakers giving New Orleans a 56% win probability at home is telling.

Jarace Walker's consistent 9.5 PPG contribution for Indiana provides some stability, but the Pelicans' home-court advantage should prove decisive in this basement-dweller showdown. FOX Sports' prediction of a narrow Pelicans win (119-114) aligns with my analysis – expect New Orleans to finally snap their losing streak against the Pacers in this desperation matchup at Smoothie King Center.

In a matchup screaming desperation, the New Orleans Pelicans host the Indiana Pacers at Smoothie King Center, both teams clawing out of the basement with records hovering around .200. The Pelicans, at 6-22, have home-court fire after a blowout win over Portland, but recent stumbles against San Antonio and Brooklyn expose vulnerabilities. Still, oddsmakers lean their way at 1.68, implying a 56% chance to halt Indiana's recent head-to-head dominance, including that 119-104 beatdown just six days ago.

The Pacers, limping in at 6-21 on a three-game skid, boast a gritty road upset over Chicago, with Jarace Walker chipping in his steady 9.5 points. But FOX Sports sees a tight 119-114 Pelicans edge, banking on New Orleans' scoring punch to exploit Indiana's porous defense. With both squads mired in misery, home advantage tips the scales—I'm riding the Pelicans to snap the streak and deliver value against those lines.

This clash could hinge on pace: New Orleans thrives in high-octane games, while Indiana's woes amplify on the road. Bet the home dogs to grind out a win and keep your bankroll building.

The Smoothie King Center hosts a battle of basement dwellers, with both the Pelicans and Pacers desperate to halt their slides. FOX Sports projects a narrow 119-114 Pelicans win, highlighting New Orleans' ability to score just under Indiana's defensive average.
Despite the Pacers sweeping recent matchups, including a December 15 victory, home court and betting lines at 1.68 for New Orleans signal faith in a turnaround. With Indiana mired in a three-game skid and the Pelicans coming off a blowout win over Portland, the value lies with the hosts to snap the streak.

This matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and Indiana Pacers feels like a crossroads for two struggling teams desperate to find their footing. The Pelicans, despite their 6-22 record, have shown flashes of brilliance, including a 143-120 demolition of Portland. However, inconsistency has plagued them, as evidenced by losses to San Antonio and Brooklyn. On the flip side, the Pacers sit at 6-21, with morale slightly lifted after a gritty 120-105 win over Chicago. Still, they're on a three-game losing streak heading into this contest.

FOX Sports analysts lean toward the Pelicans in a tight 119-114 prediction, citing their scoring edge under Indiana's defensive average. This insight aligns with the oddsmakers' line favoring New Orleans at 1.68, implying they're expected to win by at least 3 points. The Pacers, meanwhile, offer tempting value at 2.30, but their recent head-to-head dominance—including a 119-104 victory earlier this month—might not hold much weight given both teams' current disarray.

The Smoothie King Center could play a pivotal role here. Home-court advantage often amplifies performance, especially for a Pelicans squad eager to snap their skid. With Jarace Walker contributing steady offense for Indiana, it’s hard to imagine the Pacers keeping pace if New Orleans finds its rhythm early. Betting on the Pelicans at 1.68 may not yield massive returns, but it reflects the safer, more probable outcome.