Detroit Pistons vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction | 01.21.26

Detroit Pistons vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction, Odds & NBA Picks | 21-01-2026

The Smoothie King Center in New Orleans is set to host a compelling regular-season matchup on January 21, 2026, at 8:00 PM, as the dominant Detroit Pistons (31-10) face off against the struggling New Orleans Pelicans (10-35). This contest presents a stark contrast in team trajectories, with the Pistons aiming to solidify their top-tier standing and the Pelicans desperately seeking a turnaround amidst a challenging season.

Detroit Pistons vs New Orleans Pelicans Matchup Preview

Detroit Pistons Key Stats & Trends

The Detroit Pistons enter this game as one of the league’s most formidable teams, driven by their impressive 31-10 record. Their success is largely anchored by the sensational play of Cade Cunningham, who leads the team with 25.7 points and an outstanding 9.8 assists per game, showcasing his elite dual-threat capability. Cunningham’s comprehensive impact is further highlighted by his rating of 25.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 9.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 0.8 BPG. Complementing Cunningham’s offensive prowess is the dominant presence of Jalen Duren, who anchors the paint with an impressive 10.7 rebounds per contest. The Pistons demonstrate a balanced attack and strong defensive cohesion, consistently executing at a high level.

Injury Report Detroit Pistons

• Caris LeVert (Day-to-day): LeVert (illness) is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Pelicans.

New Orleans Pelicans Key Stats & Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans have endured a tumultuous season, reflected in their 10-35 record. Their struggles are compounded by a significant injury crisis impacting key players. Despite the team’s difficulties, Zion Williamson leads the scoring with 22.5 points per game, though his availability remains a concern. Rookie Derik Queen has stepped up, leading the team in rebounds with 7.5 and assists with 4.3, demonstrating potential amidst adversity. Trey Murphy III has also been a bright spot, contributing 22.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 0.3 BPG. However, the extensive list of sidelined talent severely limits the Pelicans’ overall effectiveness and depth.

Injury Report New Orleans Pelicans

• Zion Williamson (Day-to-day): Williamson (illness) is questionable for Wednesday’s game against Detroit.
• Herbert Jones (Out): Jones is questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Pistons with a sprained right ankle.
• Jose Alvarado (Out): Alvarado (oblique) is expected to miss about two more weeks, Rod Walker of The Times-Picayune reports.
• Dejounte Murray (Out): Pelicans head coach James Borrego said Sunday that Murray (Achilles) is “making a lot of progress” but doesn’t appear to be close to making his season debut, Rod Walker of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. “We hope to get him back in our building here soon. He’s doing a lot of work getting ready to get back here,” Borrego said of Murray. “I say in the next month we’ll have a little bit more clarity on where he’s at. But he’s made a lot of progress. Significant progress.”

Detroit Pistons vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction & Best Bet

Considering the stark contrast in team performance and the Pelicans’ extensive injury woes, the prediction for this matchup is unequivocally in favor of the Detroit Pistons. Their strong record, coupled with the consistent, all-around brilliance of Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren’s interior presence, gives them a significant advantage. The Pelicans, even with Zion Williamson potentially playing, are severely hampered by the absence of key defensive anchors like Herbert Jones and the playmaking of Jose Alvarado and Dejounte Murray.

Regarding the total points line set at 230.5, we anticipate this game to go over. The Pistons’ potent offense, spearheaded by Cunningham’s scoring and facilitating, will likely exploit the Pelicans’ compromised defense. Even a short-handed Pelicans squad, playing at home, could push the pace and contribute enough points against a Pistons team that might relax defensively with a comfortable lead, or engage in a high-scoring affair.