Pelicans Look To Bounce Back And Avoid Season Sweep By The Indiana Pacers

The Pacers have not swept the Pelicans since the 2018-2019 season. New Orleans hopes to avoid that fate.

New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Pelicans (35-25) host the Indiana Pacers (34-26) in a rematch of Wednesday night's nationally televised game. Indiana defeated New Orleans 123-114 behind a strong first-quarter performance where the Pacers scored 40 points, and held on the remainder of the game. The Pelicans need a win to remain in the thick of the Western Conference playoff standings to avoid again playing in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

Getting a victory against the Pacers won't be easy, especially if New Orleans can't slow down Indiana's high-octane offense. The Pacers lead the NBA in points scored, field goal percentage, points in the paint, and assists. Those were on full display Wednesday night when the Pacers scored 58 paint points and dished out 34 assists. New Orleans did a better job in the second half defending Indiana's potent offense, but the same effort is needed for 48 minutes to get a victory.

Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots the ball while New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Pascal Siakim and Tyrese Haliburton led the charge for the Pacers. The duo combined for 41 points and 18 assists in the victory, while Indiana's bench outscored the Pelicans bench 44-24. 

The Pacers faced paced attack sent Jonas Valanciunas to the bench for much of the game on Wednesday. Jonas played just seven minutes and did not score. Indiana gives up the most opponent paint paints in the league, so some run time for Valanciunas could pay dividends for New Orleans production-wise. Health is also a major factor for the Pelicans.

For the first time since December, there is no injury designation for either Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, or Zion Williamson on the report. New Orleans also welcomes back Jose Alvarado, who completed his three-game suspension for his role in the brawl against the Heat last Friday. The Pelicans played back-to-back in New York on Tuesday before playing the Pacers on Wednesday, and the energy level was not there to start the game. Alvarado's return at home should get the crowd going and the energy level up on the team.

The Pelicans' clean bill of health can get the bench back solidified for a postseason run. Since the All-Star game, New Orleans' bench averages just 25 points per game, which would be last in the NBA. New Orleans needs sharpshooters Trey Murphy III and Jordan Hawkins to knock down open shots when stars Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are double-teamed. Williamson is second in the league in paint points scores, averaging right above 18 points in the restricted area. 

After Friday night's game, the Pelicans hit the road again for three straight games, starting next Tuesday in Toronto. New Orleans is currently the sixth seed in the Western Conference, just a half-game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks.