Detroit Pistons vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction 1/21/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The Detroit Pistons and New Orleans Pelicans meet Wednesday in NBA action at the Smoothie King Center. Here’s a Detroit Pistons vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Detroit Pistons vs New Orleans Pelicans Pick.

Detroit Pistons Betting Preview

The Detroit Pistons beat the Celtics and Pacers, and they play the Rockets next. The Pistons have won 15 of their last 21 games.

The Detroit Pistons are averaging 118.8 points on 48 percent shooting and allowing 112.7 points on 44.4 percent shooting. Cade Cunningham is averaging 26.6 points and 6.3 rebounds, while Jalen Duren is averaging 17.9 points and 1.7 assists. Tobias Harris is the third double-digit scorer and Ausar Thompson is grabbing 5.7 rebounds. The Detroit Pistons are shooting 35.1 percent from beyond the arc and 75.3 percent from the free-throw line. The Detroit Pistons are allowing 35 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 46.3 rebounds per game.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview

The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Pacers and Rockets, and they play the Grizzlies next. The Pelicans have lost 13 of their last 15 games.

The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 114.9 points on 46.4 percent shooting and allowing 122.2 points on 48.6 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 22.4 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Trey Murphy III is averaging 22.2 points and 6.2 rebounds. Jordan Poole is the third double-digit scorer and Saddiq Bey is dishing 2.3 assists. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 34.1 percent from beyond the arc and 78.2 percent from the free-throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 36.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.5 rebounds per game.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win

• The Pistons have lost each of their last seven games when playing with a rest disadvantage against the Pelicans.
• The Pelicans have won 10 of their last 11 games when playing with a rest advantage against the Pistons.
• The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pelicans have covered the spread in five of their last six home games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Why the Detroit Pistons will win

• The Pelicans have lost 18 of their last 19 games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
• The favorites have won each of the last nine games between the Pistons and Pelicans.
• The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Pelicans’ last four games at Smoothie King Center.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Pistons’ last seven night games have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of the Pelicans’ last four night games against Central Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts

• Jeremiah Fears is one of only six players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.
• Derik Queen is one of only six players to have made 8+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.

Detroit Pistons Player Facts

• Isaiah Stewart ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for blocks per 36 minutes (3.1) this season.
• Ausar Thompson ranks 6th amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.6) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pelicans rank 1st for points in the paint per game (58.3) this season.
• Only 28.3% of the Pelicans’ scoring this season has come from beyond the three-point line – lowest mark in the league.
• The Pistons rank 1st in the league for blocks per game this season (6.7).
• The Pistons rank 30th in the league for opponent free throws made per game this season (22.5).

Detroit Pistons vs New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report

The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray and Jose Alvarado. Herbert Jones is questionable.

Caris LeVert is questionable for the Pistons.

Detroit Pistons vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction

I don’t love the Pistons and big numbers, and they’re just 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games when favorites of 8 or more points. However, it’s the Pelicans, a team that’s gone back to their losing ways and are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games. I have little use for the Pelicans. This is a spot where you just trust the better team and fade the losing team that’s going nowhere fast. Give me the Pistons in a double-digit road victory.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Detroit Pistons -9.5