Rick Carlisle’s Quest for 1,000 Wins Faces Challenge Against Rising Pelicans
Rick Carlisle finds himself in a challenging position as he seeks his 1,000th regular-season victory as a head coach. Currently, he is 0-3 in this pursuit, but a potential opportunity arises as his Indiana Pacers face off against the New Orleans Pelicans, one of only two teams with a worse record than theirs.
Both teams are struggling this season, each sitting with just six wins, with the Pacers holding a slight edge over the last-place Washington Wizards. The Wizards thwarted Carlisle’s milestone attempt last Sunday, denying him the chance to join an elite group of head coaches. With the Pacers only managing one victory out of 12 road games this season, they head into the contest as underdogs in New Orleans.
Game Details
Fans eager to tune in can catch the matchup on Saturday, December 20, at 7:10 p.m. EST, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The game will be broadcasted on the FanDuel Sports Network for Pacers fans and the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network for Pelicans supporters. Additionally, local radio coverage will be available on 1070 The Fan for the Pacers and WWL-AM/FM for the Pelicans.
Recent Performance and Team Dynamics
Both the Indiana Pacers (6-21) and New Orleans Pelicans (6-22) have struggled throughout the season, often hovering near the bottom of the standings. The Pelicans started their campaign with a six-game losing streak, which ultimately led to the firing of head coach Willie Green after a dismal 2-10 record. Meanwhile, the Pacers faced a similar fate, losing their first five games and falling to a 13-game losing streak before finally securing their second win.
However, the Pelicans are currently riding a wave of momentum, having won three consecutive games for the first time since late February. They are looking to match their longest win streak in years, with their last five-game stretch occurring in March 2023. In a thrilling overtime victory against the Houston Rockets, the Pelicans triumphed 133-128, propelled by a season-high 29 points from forward Saddiq Bey and a remarkable comeback from a 25-point deficit. The return of key players, including Zion Williamson, has rejuvenated the Pelicans, who are now aiming for consistency.
In contrast, the Pacers are still grappling with depth issues, which were evident in their recent narrow defeat to the New York Knicks. Despite strong performances from Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam, who combined for 57 points, Indiana fell short when a last-second three-pointer from Jalen Brunson sealed the game for New York.
Historical Context and Future Matchups
This contest marks the first meeting of the season between the Pacers and Pelicans. Their last face-off occurred on December 15, 2024, with the teams set to conclude their season series at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 16. Although they don’t share the same conference, the two squads competed three times last season, with Indiana emerging victorious in two encounters. Historically, Indiana has dominated the rivalry, winning 19 of the last 29 matchups dating back to 2012 and leading the all-time series 30-21 since their first meeting in 2002.
Betting Insights
As for the betting lines, the Pelicans are favored by a slim margin of 1.5 points, with the moneyline set at Pelicans -135 and Pacers +114. The game’s total is projected at 234.5 points, with odds reflecting the uncertainty surrounding both teams’ performances.
Injury Report
The Pacers are dealing with significant injury woes, with key players sidelined. Tyrese Haliburton (right Achilles tendon tear), Aaron Nesmith (left knee MCL sprain), Obi Toppin (right foot stress fracture), and Ben Sheppard (left calf strain) will all miss the game. Additionally, Tony Bradley is questionable due to a right thumb fracture, while Kam Jones and Taelon Peter are doubtful as they are in the G League.
On the Pelicans’ side, Dejounte Murray is out with a right Achilles rupture, and Trey Alexander along with Hunter Dickinson are also unavailable as they are on G League assignments.
Player Perspective
Reflecting on the significance of their recent comeback win, Pelicans forward Saddiq Bey emphasized the impact of their home crowd, stating, “If our fans weren’t there, I don’t know if we would have the juice. They were giving us the energy to be able to continue to fight, possession by possession.”
As the Pacers prepare to face the surging Pelicans, all eyes will be on Carlisle as he continues his quest for that elusive milestone, hoping to turn the tide in New Orleans.
