Indiana Pacers defeat New Orleans Pelicans 123-120: Recap, Betting Results & AiQ Picks
Wed, Oct 21, 2026 · NBA · Indiana Pacers 123, New Orleans Pelicans 120
Indiana Pacers 123, New Orleans Pelicans 120. The Pacers won by exactly three points, pushing the closing -3 spread. The game finished at 243 points, four above the 239 total.
Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans final score and game recap
The Pacers dominated the first quarter with 38 points, but New Orleans answered decisively in the second, outscoring Indiana 35-18 to take a 66-56 halftime lead. Indiana reclaimed control in the third quarter, holding the Pelicans to 26 points while posting 30 to narrow the gap to 86-92. The fourth quarter became a shootout: Indiana erupted for 37 points to New Orleans' 28, flipping the lead for good.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 30 points and 8 rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton added 23 points and 12 assists. For New Orleans, Dejounte Murray matched Haliburton's 23 points and contributed 7 assists, while Zion Williamson scored 22 points.
Who covered the spread in Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans?
The result was a push. Indiana won by three points, matching the closing -3 line exactly. The spread opened at New Orleans +3.5 and tightened to +3 by close, a half-point shift toward the Pelicans. AiQ's pick of Indiana Pacers -3.5 at 59% confidence graded as a loss.
Did Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans go over or under the total?
The game went over. Combined scoring reached 243 points, four above the 239 closing total. Scoring was balanced across quarters, with the Pacers' 38-point first quarter and 37-point fourth quarter driving the total. The line opened at 240.5 and dropped 1.5 points to 239. AiQ's Over 238.5 pick at 62% confidence won.
How did AiQ's Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans predictions do?
AiQ finished 2-1 across its graded picks.
- Moneyline: Indiana Pacers -143 – WIN (+$69.93 on a $100 bet)
- Spread: Indiana Pacers -3.5 – LOSS
- Total: Over 238.5 – WIN
AiQ correctly identified the Pacers to win and the high-scoring nature of the contest. Its spread pick was too aggressive, missing the push.
Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans game prop results: first half, first quarter and team totals
- First-half total 116.5: Over (paid -102); 122 points scored
- First-quarter moneyline: Indiana Pacers won the first quarter (paid -130)
- Indiana Pacers team total 120.5: Over (paid -110); they scored 123
- New Orleans Pelicans team total 118.5: Over (paid -105); they scored 120
- First-half moneyline: New Orleans Pelicans won the first half (paid +114)
- First-quarter total 58.5: Over (paid -110); 69 points scored
- First-half spread: New Orleans Pelicans +1.5 covered (paid -112)
Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans Pelicans odds: sportsbook value and line movement
The Pacers opened as -143 favorites, implying a 56% win probability after vig removal, while New Orleans was +120, implying 44%. The bookmaker's margin was 4.3%. A $100 wager on Indiana at -143 returned $69.93 profit.
AiQ's pre-game expected value for the Pacers was -2.4% at -148, indicating the model liked the side but deemed the price unfavorable. The market's implied 58% probability after vig removal matched AiQ's calibrated estimate, confirming the line's alignment with the model's assessment.
Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans betting trends: 2026-27 season
The Indiana Pacers are 1-0 overall and 1-0 on the road. They are 0-0-1 against the spread and 1-0 over/under. The New Orleans Pelicans sit 0-1 overall and 0-1 at home, also 0-0-1 against the spread and 1-0 over/under. Both teams have only one game recorded, so trends are not yet meaningful.
What's next for Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans?
Indiana hosts the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, October 23. New Orleans travels to face the Utah Jazz on the same night.