Detroit Pistons vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Use Code WWWC It’s a matchup between a title contender and a lottery pick team on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Read our Detroit Pistons vs New Orleans Pelicans prediction with our other NBA Picks. The Pistons are in first place in the East with a 31-10 record. They have won six of their last seven games coming into this game. The Pelicans are in last place in the West with a 10-35 record. They have lost 13 of their last 15 games coming into this outing. These two teams will meet with tip-off set for 8 P.M. EST.
Detroit leads the Eastern Conference by over five games
Detroit is 31-10 overall this season. They are in first place in the Eastern Conference as they are 5.5 games ahead of the Celtics for the best record. The Pistons are 3.5 games back of Oklahoma City for the best record in the sport. They are 13-6 when they have played on the road this season. The Pistons have won six of their last seven games coming into this game.
In their last game, the Pistons defeated Boston 104-103 at home on Monday, Jan. 19. Tobias Harris nailed a 3-pointer in the final two minutes to give Detroit a 104-99 lead. The Celtics tried to mount a comeback, but Detroit was able to hang on. Harris led the team in scoring with 25 points on 11-for-20 shooting. The Pistons shot 43% from the field and 31% from behind the 3-point line in the win.
Cade Cunningham leads the team with 25.7 points and 9.8 assists per game. Jalen Duren is the top rebounder with 10.7 boards per game.
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Detroit ranks 13th in offensive efficiency and second-best in defensive efficiency. The Pistons are also the third-best rebounding team in the league.
The Pistons are the 11th ranked scoring offense averaging 117.3 points per game. They are hitting 47.9% from the field, placing them sixth-overall. Detroit is also ranked 19th in 3-point shooting, making 35.2% from behind the arc.
On defense, Detroit is allowing 110.1 points per game, which ranks third-overall. They are the second-ranked defense, allowing 43.9% from the field. The Pistons are allowing 34.9% from behind the 3-point line, which ranks ninth.
Detroit is 22-19 against the spread this season. They are 6-9 against the spread as a road favorite. They are also 13-10 against the spread with one day of rest. The Pistons are 16-14 against the spread after a win. The under is 23-17-1 when the Pistons have played this season. The under is 15-7-1 when Detroit has had one day of rest. The under is 19-14 when the Pistons have been favored.
Key injuries
- None
Pelicans continue to be Western Conference’s worst
New Orleans is 10-35 overall this season. The Pelicans are in last place in the Western Conference. They are three games back of the Kings to avoid being the worst team in the conference. New Orleans is 7-18 when playing at home this year. The Pelicans have lost 13 of their last 15 games. But, they are 5-6 in their last 11 home games.
In their last game, the Pelicans lost 119-110 away from home to the Rockets on Sunday, Jan. 18. The Pelicans lost the lead in the second quarter and they were never able to regain it in a big loss. New Orleans shot 50% from the field and 38% from behind the arc, but the Rockets out rebounded New Orleans 47-39 in the win. Trey Murphy led the team with 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting.
Zion Williamson leads the team with 22.5 points per game. Derik Queen is grabbing a team-high 7.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.
New Orleans has the 24th ranked offensive efficient team in the league. They are also the third-worst defensive team and the 22nd ranked rebounding roster.
The Pelicans are averaging 114.9 points per game, which ranks 21st in the league. They are the 19th ranked shooting team, hitting 46.5% from the field. New Orleans is making 34.3% of their 3-pointers from behind the arc, placing them 26th.
On defense, the Pelicans are allowing 122.2 points per game, which ranks third-worst. They are the 26th ranked defensive team, allowing 48.7% from the field. New Orleans is the 17th ranked 3-point defensive team, surrendering 36% from deep.
New Orleans is 23-21-1 against the spread this season. They are 5-2 against the spread with two days of rest. The Pelicans are 11-10-1 against the spread a home underdog. They are also 3-2 against the spread with rest advantage. The over is 24-21 this season when the Pelicans have played. The one his 14-8 as a home underdog. The under is 9-7 against the East. The under is also 3-2 with the rest advantage.
Key injuries
- Herbert Jones (ankle), questionable
- Jose Alvarado (oblique), out
Detroit Pistons vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks
Pistons vs Pelicans Spread Pick
- Detroit Pistons -9.5 (5 units)
When New Orleans has been a single-digit underdog, they have struggled. The Pelicans are 0-7 against the spread in their last seven games as a single-digit underdog. The Pistons defense ranks second-best in the league and they will torment an offense that ranks 24th in offensive efficiency. The Pistons do not have a single injury listed and with full strength, this should be an easy, blow out victory. The Pelicans have a poor defense, which will be leaking points all evening, too. The Pistons are 13-10 against the spread with one day of rest. The Pistons are 16-14 against the spread after a win.
Take Detroit to cover.
Pistons vs Pelicans Over/Under Pick
- Under 234 (5 units)
Both teams rank 10th in pace this season. Even with a fast pace, it will not make up the lack of offensive efficiency especially by the Pelicans. The Pistons are the second-best defense in the league and the Pelicans are averaging less than 115 points per game. This should be a low scoring game as New Orleans’ offense does not have the weapons to compete against a defense that forces turnovers and rebounds well. The under is 9-7 when New Orleans has played against the East. The under is also 3-2 when the Pelicans have had a rest advantage. The under is 15-7-1 when Detroit has had one day of rest. The under is 19-14 when the Pistons have been favored.
Take the under on Wednesday.
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