New Orleans Pelicans (-1-) at Indiana Pacers 7:05 ET
Take: New Orleans (-1-)
Without Lance Stephenson, George Hill, Paul George and now, Ian Mahinmi, the Pacers are a shell of team, who was an Eastern Conference best (56-26 SU) in the regular season last year. Indiana enters on a 2-10 SU slide with a 9-19 SU record. On their once strong home court, they are just 5-8 SU. Versus the superior Western Conference, the Pacers are 4-11 SU. With an offense averaging just 93.6 PPG, 2nd worst in the league, they are a definitive play against. That is especially true noting the West vs. East dominance of 100-59 SU, and the fact that NBA road favorites are 76-56 ATS. New Orleans enters on a solid 6-3 SU ATS run, winners of 3/4 on the road of late with 4 consecutive road covers. Though Gordon is missing from the Pelicans’ backcourt, the interior strength, led by Davis, is a dominant fundamental advantage for the visitor. New Orleans, clinging to the final playoff spot in the West, understands that this is a vital victory for them.