Indiana Pacers vs New Orleans Pelicans: Injury-Plagued Matchup Sets Stage for Friday Night Clash

The Indiana Pacers and the New Orleans Pelicans are set to face off on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Both teams enter the game with identical 2-3 records, but their recent performances and injury situations paint a contrasting picture.

The Pacers are coming off a significant win, having defeated the Boston Celtics 135-132 in overtime on Wednesday. This victory marked the end of a three-game losing streak for Indiana and was highlighted by strong performances from Pascal Siakam and Bennedict Mathurin. Siakam scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Mathurin contributed 30 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. The team’s cohesive play was evident with 33 assists in the game, continuing their streak of at least 25 assists in five consecutive contests.

In contrast, the Pelicans are on a three-game losing streak, including a recent 104-89 loss to the Golden State Warriors. New Orleans is severely hampered by injuries, with key players Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, CJ McCollum, and Herbert Jones ruled out for the game. Additionally, Daniel Theis, Yves Missi, and Jordan Hawkins are listed as questionable, further complicating the Pelicans’ lineup.

The Pacers, while not immune to injuries, are in a relatively better position. Andrew Nembhard and Myles Turner are listed as questionable, and James Wiseman is out due to an Achilles injury. Despite these challenges, the Pacers are favored to win by 4.5 points, according to the latest NBA odds.

The game will be broadcast on FanDuel SN – Indiana and can be streamed online via fuboTV. The over/under is set at 232 points, and the Pacers’ recent form suggests they might have the edge in this matchup.