The Detroit Pistons (52-20) are 3.5-point favorites on the spread vs. the New Orleans Pelicans (25-48) for tonight’s game at 7:00 p.m. ET. It will be the second night of a back-to-back set for the Pistons.
Below, we’ll break down our Pelicans vs. Pistons prediction and picks for Thursday night’s game. Make your NBA picks on PrizePicks and earn real money if you’re right, including on game winners, spreads, and totals!
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Pelicans vs. Pistons Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
As the Pistons march towards the top seed in the Eastern Conference, they have the third-best net rating in the league (+7.9), per NBA.com. The Pelicans have struggled in that department, ranking 21st (-3.6).
The Pistons may have a significant advantage on the glass in this matchup. They allow the fifth-fewest rebounds per game (41.0), and the Pelicans have permitted the sixth-most rebounds per contest (45.5).
Pelicans vs. Pistons Spread, Over/Under
The Pistons enter Thursday’s game as 3.5-point favorites at home, returning a 1.51x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Pelicans are underdogs on the road with a 2.5x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can earn money with your picks in 35 states.
- Spread: Detroit Pistons -3.5
- Total: 223.5
- Gamer Winner Payout: Pelicans 2.5x | Pistons 1.51x
Team picks data is live as of this writing and is subject to change.
Pelicans vs. Pistons Injury Report
Let’s dive into the full Pelicans vs. Pistons injury report for Thursday, via NBA.com.
Pelicans Injury Report
- SF Trey Murphy III (ankle): Questionable
- G Bryce McGowens (toe): OUT
Pistons Injury Report
- G Cade Cunningham (chest): OUT
- PF/C Isaiah Stewart (calf): OUT
- C Jalen Duren (knee): Probable
- F Tobias Harris (hip): Questionable
- G Caris LeVert (knee): OUT
- G Duncan Robinson (wrist): Probable
- G Marcus Sasser (hip): Probable
- SF Ausar Thompson (ankle): Probable
- G Javonte Green (ankle): Probable
Pelicans vs. Pistons Prediction on Spread - 3/26/26
Here are the key stats to know before locking in your Pelicans vs. Pistons prediction on the point spread for Thursday, March 26 on PrizePicks.
- Detroit is 3-1 over the last four games without Pistons G Cunningham. Their lone defeat came on Wednesday in a 130-29 overtime loss to the Hawks.
- Detroit is 6-5-1 against the spread on the second day of a back-to-back set.
- The Pelicans are 15-15 against the spread as road underdogs.
- New Orleans has lost five of their last six games on the road.
- The status of Pelicans F Trey Murphy III could be key, as he leads the team with 21.7 PPG.
- When these teams met in January, the Pistons won 112-104 in New Orleans. Cunningham and Pelicans G Dejounte Murray did not play in that matchup.
Pelicans vs. Pistons Picks for PrizePicks Today: 3/26/26
Here are top Pelicans vs. Pistons picks to target for Thursday, March 26, on PrizePicks. Today’s NBA picks for PrizePicks are headlined by Pelicans PF Zion Williamson and Pistons PG Daniss Jenkins.
Pelicans PF Zion Williamson vs. Pistons Projection: 7.5 Free Throws Attempted
- Williamson has averaged at least 7.1 free throw attempts in every season of his career. In the current campaign, he averages 7.6 per game.
- The star forward attempted at least 8 free throws in seven of his last nine games.
- According to NBA.com, Williamson averages the 14th-most drives to the basket per game (13.8).
- The Pistons play an aggressive style of defense that has contributed to allowing the most free throw attempts per game (27.1).
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Pistons PG Daniss Jenkins vs. Pelicans Projection: 28.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- In Wednesday’s loss to the Hawks, Jenkins recorded 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 10 assists across 45 minutes.
- The young point guard started and played at least 34 minutes in each of the last four games without Cunningham.
- In his new starting role, Jenkins recorded at least 29 combined points, rebounds, and assists three times.
- The Pelicans have the seventh-worst defensive rating (117.2) in the league.
- The 24-year-old played just 27 minutes the last time he faced New Orleans, but still chipped in 17 points, 1 rebound, and 4 assists.
Pistons G Duncan Robinson vs. Pelicans Projection: 11.5 Points
- Pistons G Duncan Robinson scored at least 12 points in three of the last four games without Cunningham.
- The veteran continues to be a lethal 3-point shooter, making 40.3% of his attempts from deep on the season.
- Robinson averages 13.5 points per game at home, compared to 10.3 PPG on the road.
- He shoots 46.2% from the field and 44.4% from deep in Detroit. On the road, he shoots 42.1% from the field and 35.2% from behind the arc.
Make Pelicans vs. Pistons Picks on PrizePicks
The shorthanded Pistons could look to Jenkins and Robinson to provide increased production when they take on the Pelicans. Williamson could have a big night at the free-throw line, as the Pelicans attempt to pull off the upset.
You can make your Pelicans vs. Pistons picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.
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