New Orleans Pelicans vs Indiana Pacers Prediction 1/16/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The New Orleans Pelicans pay a visit to the Indiana Pacers at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview 

The New Orleans Pelicans have been in a major slump as they’ve lost 11 of their last 13 games overall, but they will be feeling a little better after they snapped a two-game skid with a 116-113 win over the Nets on Wednesday. Trey Murphy III led the team with 34 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Zion Williamson added 25 points on 11 of 14 shooting while Saddiq Bey chipped in with 12 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot 44 percent from the field and 11 of 33 from the 3-point line as they got off to a slow start and had to work their way back from an early 12-point deficit, before they went on a pivotal 15-4 run in the fourth quarter to take the lead and secure the much needed win at home. 

Indiana Pacers Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers were starting to heat up with three wins in a row before they fell back down to Earth with a 115-101 loss to the Raptors on Wednesday. Pascal Siakam led the team with 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, Andrew Nembhard and Quenton Jackson each scored 14 points while Jarace Walker chipped in with 11 points. As a team, the Pacers shot a miserly 38 percent from the field and 12 of 42 from the 3-point line as they got off to a terrible start and were always fighting an uphill battle after getting outscored by 39-18 in the first quarter. Aaron Nesmith had a night to forget as he shot just one of 12 from the field to finish with just six points in 31 minutes of action. 

New Orleans v Indiana Free Prediction

The Pelicans are still missing Herbert Jones, Dejounte Murray and Jose Alverado, while the Pacers have ruled out Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson and Tyrese Haliburton once again. The Pelicans are coming into this one fresh off a rare win, but they were far from convincing in their narrow win over the slumping Nets, so it’s the Pacers who come into this contest as the team in better form with wins over the Hornets, Heat and the Celtics before they lost to the Raptors on Wednesday. This should be a close one, but the Pacers have looked much better lately and with the line so short, I will back the Pacers to get the win and cover at home.

Peter Tran's Pick: Indiana -2.5