The New Orleans Pelicans hope to solve an opponent that has had their number in recent years when they travel to Indiana to face the Pacers on Tuesday. The Pacers have won six straight in the series, including four in a row at home. The Pelicans, who have won three of their last four to get back above .500, are coming off a 101-99 victory at Oklahoma City on Sunday.
The Pacers have shown signs of life lately, splitting their last four games following an eight-game skid, and won 100-96 at Minnesota on Sunday. "You get that taste and then start to remember why we do the things we do every day, why we run the system, why we try to play and get the win," Pacers guard C.J. Miles told reporters. "We've still got to believe in that stuff because as competitors we want to win every game, make every play, want to make every shot and you get impatient." The Pelicans have struggled to a 6-9 mark on the road, including 0-3 against Eastern Conference teams, and they haven't won at Indiana since Jan. 16, 2010.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, FSN Indiana
ABOUT THE PELICANS (14-13): New Orleans has seen an increase in its bench production lately, getting an average of 43.3 points from the reserves over the past six contests. Ryan Anderson (15.6 points) leads that second unit and is one of four double-digit scorers along with big man Anthony Davis (24.7 points, 10.2 rebounds) and guards Tyreke Evans (16.4 points, 5.7 assists) and Jrue Holiday (15.4 points, 7.3 assists). Davis has scored 30 or more points in four of his last six games, including going off for 38 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks against the Thunder last time out.
ABOUT THE PACERS (9-19): Indiana has struggled at the offensive end but could get a boost from the season debut of point guard George Hill (knee) as early as Tuesday. The player the Pacers most miss at that end, though, is injured star Paul George, without whom they don't have a go-to scorer. Big man David West (12.8 points, 6.5 rebounds) and guard Rodney Stuckey (12.4 points) have been the most consistent scorers, but the Pacers don't have anyone who can light it up on a regular basis.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pelicans are 14-0 when shooting for a higher percentage than the opposition and 0-13 when they have the same or lower percentage from the field.
2. Indiana has not won consecutive games since Nov. 15 at Chicago and Nov. 19 against Charlotte.
3. New Orleans has trailed after three quarters in each of its last three wins after losing its first eight games in which it trailed entering the fourth quarter.