The Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans meet Wednesday to kick off their 2026-27 NBA seasons. Tip from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze NBA odds around the Pacers vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2025-26 season series: Tied 1-1
The last time PG Tyrese Haliburton was on an NBA court, he tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, and the Pacers ultimately lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He sat out all of last season and looks to regain his place as an NBA rising star. The Pacers went 19-63 without him last season. For all that hardship, it didn't land the Pacers a top-5 draft pick because they traded it to the LA Clippers for C Ivica Zubac.
They were able to add Purdue PG Braden Smith in the second round and augmented the roster with free-agent forwards Kelly Oubre and Larry Nance Jr.
The Pels did very little in the offseason as well as they dealt their first-round pick in a previous deal. They made no key free-agent additions as well. So they'll be counting on F Zion Williamson to remain in shape and healthy. In 60 games last season, he averaged 21 points, 5.7 boards and 3.2 assists per game. The points and boards were career lows.
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Pacers at Pelicans odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:51 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pacers -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Pelicans +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pacers -3.5 (-110) | Pelicans +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 239.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Pacers at Pelicans key injuries
Pacers
- F Aaron Nesmith (hamstring) out
Pelicans
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Pacers at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Pacers 120, Pelicans 109
Moneyline
The Pacers are the correct side, but I'd rather lay the points than pay the juice on a road team whose best player is working a year of rust off.
PASS.
Against the spread
PACERS -3.5 (-110).
The Pacers were 37-42 ATS despite being an abysmal team.
Over/Under
Early in the season, it's best to hunt Unders. The Pacers' offense lit the NBA ablaze when Haliburton was healthy 2 seasons ago, and the Pels can shoot from deep with F Trey Murphy III. However, it's more likely to be brick city early in the year. Go UNDER 239.5 (-110).
Best prop bet
Bet Pacers G TYRESE HALIBURTON OVER 8.5 ASSISTS (-111).
Hali is a distributor, and if his shooting is off, he'll look to distribute even more. He averaged 9.2 dimes per game 2 seasons ago and 11.3 in 2 games against NOLA.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Indiana Pacers at New Orleans Pelicans odds, picks and predictions
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