In the middle of the NBA regular season, the Detroit Pistons visit the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The game is set for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 8:00 PM and will be televised on FDSD. The Pistons hold a strong record of 31-10, while the Pelicans are at 10-35.
Detroit is led by head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and ranks first in the Eastern Conference and Central Division. Their recent form includes a three-game winning streak. On the other hand, New Orleans is under interim head coach James Borrego, struggling at the bottom of the Western Conference and Southwest Division with a two-game losing streak. Fans will be watching to see if the Pelicans can surprise the Pistons.
Detroit Pistons Team Preview
The Detroit Pistons have shown strong performances in recent games. They secured a narrow 104-103 victory over the Boston Celtics, with key contributions from players like Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. Cunningham, the team’s point guard, recorded 16 points and 14 assists, showcasing his playmaking abilities.
The Pistons’ season stats reflect their solid offensive game. They rank 11th in points per game with an average of 117.3. Their field goal percentage is at 47.9, placing them 6th in the league, while they are 3rd in rebounds per game, grabbing 46.3 boards on average.
Key players for the Pistons include Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Tobias Harris. Cunningham averages 25.7 points and 9.8 assists per game, leading the team in both categories. Duren contributes with 17.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, while Harris adds 13.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
New Orleans Pelicans Team Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans have shown mixed results in recent games. They lost to the Houston Rockets by 9 points with a score of 119-110. In the game, Zion Williamson led the team with 20 points, while Trey Murphy III added 21 points.
Despite a strong offensive performance, the Pelicans fell to the Indiana Pacers with a score of 127-119. Zion Williamson had a standout performance with 27 points and 7 assists. Trey Murphy III also contributed 22 points in the game.
The Pelicans secured a win against the Brooklyn Nets with a 116-113 score. Trey Murphy III was instrumental, scoring 34 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Zion Williamson continued to perform well with 25 points on efficient shooting.
Betting Prediction
The Pistons have one of the top defenses in the league. They allow only 110.1 points per game, which is third best. This should help them control the game against the Pelicans, who score 114.9 points per game.
The Pelicans have struggled defensively, allowing 122.2 points per game. This ranks them near the bottom of the league. This defensive gap makes it likely for the Pistons to cover the spread of -9.5.
Offensively, the Pistons shoot well, with a field goal percentage of 47.9. This is among the top ten in the league. Their strong shooting should help them build a lead over the Pelicans.
- Pick: Pistons -9.5
