The New Orleans Pelicans’ three-game East Coast swing will continue on Thursday against the Detroit Pistons. New Orleans, which opened the trip with a 121-116 loss to the Knicks in New York two nights ago, hopes to bounce back with a win. The Pelicans are almost out of the running for a play-in tournament spot, but look to play spoilers against the Pistons.
Meanwhile, the Pistons will host the Pelicans less than 24 hours after a 130-129 overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Detroit (52-20) also looks to rebound with a win after Boston (48-24) closed the gap on the Pistons atop the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics beat the OKC Thunder 119-109 on Wednesday to move four games behind the Pistons for the No. 1 seed in their conference.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Detroit Pistons Odds
Moneyline: Pelicans (+170) vs. Pistons (-210)
Odds: Pelicans (+5.0 -106) vs. Pistons (-5.0 -114)
Total (O/U): Pelicans (o226.0 -110) vs. (Pistons (u226.0 -110)
Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Detroit Pistons Injury Reports
Pelicans Injury Report
Three Pelicans players did not join the team for the trip to Detroit. Josh Oduro, Hunter Dickinson and Trey Alexander have been assigned to the G League. Bryce McGowens (toe) is the only inactive name on the Pelicans’ list, but Trey Murphy III (ankle) and Dejounte Murray (injury management) are questionable.
Pistons Injury Report
The Pistons have not submitted an injury report yet following their loss to the Hawks on Wednesday. Still, Cade Cunningham (chest) and Isaiah Stewart (calf) are not expected to play. Marcus Sasser, out with a hip issue against the Hawks, is uncertain.
Jalen Duren, who has been nursing a right knee soreness, was cleared to play against the Hawks. It remains to be seen if he plays on the second night of a back-to-back schedule.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Detroit Pistons Starting Lineups
Pelicans
PG: Dejounte Murray | SG: Trey Murphy III | SF: Saddiq Bey | PF: Herb Jones | PF: Zion Williamson
Pistons
PG: Danis Jenkins | SG: Ausar Thompson | SF: Duncan Robinson | PF: Tobias Harris | C: Jalen Duren
New Orleans Pelicans vs Detroit Pistons Prediction
In the last Pelicans-Pistons meeting in late January, New Orleans gave the Cade Cunningham-less Pistons fits before losing 112-104. The All-Star guard is out again, giving the Pelicans a good chance of pulling off an upset.
However, the Pistons need to win to maintain their lead over the Celtics in the Eastern Conference standings, which will likely force Jalen Duren to play. Expect the Pistons to win but allow the Pelicans to cover the +5.0 spread.
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