The New Orleans Pelicans (19-52) travel to face off against the Detroit Pistons (39-32) on Sunday, March 23rd. This game will be played at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit and televised on FDSD. Both the Pelicans and Pistons will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Tip off is scheduled for 3:00 ET.

Pelicans vs Pistons

The Pelicans Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Pelicans dropped to 19-52 on the season after a 134-93 loss to the Timberwolves on Friday. New Orleans, who entered the game as +15 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread in the 41-point defeat. The total points for the game were 227, just over the 222.5-point line.

A key moment came when Minnesota went on a 12-0 run, stretching the score from 34-33 to 45-34. The Timberwolves continued to pull away, outscoring the Pelicans 37-21 in the final quarter.

The Pistons Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Pistons fell to 39-32 on the season after a 123-117 loss to the Mavericks on Friday. Detroit, who were -9.5 point favorites, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 240, exceeding the O/U line of 231.5 by 8.5 points.

Detroit got off to a slow start, trailing 35-27 after the 1st quarter. They tightened up defensively in the 2nd, winning the quarter 27-25. However, the Pistons couldn’t make up ground in the 3rd, as Dallas edged them 31-29. Detroit made a push in the 4th, outscoring the Mavericks 34-32, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the 91-83 deficit they faced entering the final period.

Pelicans Offense Breakdown

In their 134-93 loss to the Timberwolves, the Pelicans’ offense was led by CJ McCollum, who scored 15 points, with 7 coming in the first quarter. Bruce Brown added 14 points, hitting 3 threes at a 75% clip, while Antonio Reeves contributed 11 points, all in the 4th quarter.

As a team, the Pelicans shot 50% from the field and made 11 threes at 35.5%. Their offensive struggles were evident, as they managed just 93 points in the game.

Pistons Offense Breakdown

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in their 123-117 loss to the Mavericks, shooting 50% from the field and hitting 2 threes at 40%. Malik Beasley added 16 points, connecting on 5 threes at 45.5%, though he shot just 33.3% overall. Jalen Duren was perfect from the field, finishing with 14 points and 9 rebounds.

Cunningham scored 16 points in the 4th quarter, adding 11 more in the 3rd. Beasley and Dennis Schröder each contributed 6 points in the final period, while Ron Holland scored 10 of his 12 points in the 2nd quarter.

Pelicans Team Defense

The Pelicans struggled defensively against the Timberwolves, giving up 134 points on 53% shooting. New Orleans allowed 28 points in the 1st quarter, followed by 34 in the 2nd, and things didn’t improve in the 2nd half, with the Timberwolves scoring 35 in the 3rd and 37 in the 4th.

From beyond the arc, the Timberwolves hit 19 threes at a 43% clip. The Pelicans also sent Minnesota to the line 20 times, where they converted 19 free throws. New Orleans gave up 10 offensive rebounds but did manage to record 11 steals and 4 blocks.

Pistons Team Defense

Defensively, the Pelicans struggled against the Timberwolves, giving up 134 points on 53% shooting. They allowed 28 points in the 1st quarter and saw the Timberwolves’ scoring increase in each subsequent quarter, with 37 points allowed in the 4th.

From beyond the arc, the Timberwolves hit 19 threes at a 43% clip. The Pelicans also sent the Timberwolves to the line 20 times, where they converted 19 free throws. New Orleans finished with 11 steals and 4 blocks.

Pelicans vs Pistons Trends

• Across the Pelicans last five road games, the team averaged 111 points per game while allowing 130. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-4, while going 1-4 straight-up.
• In their last five games at home, the Pistons have a straight up record of 3-2 while going 2-2-1 vs the spread. The team averaged 117 points per game in this stretch.
• Going back to their last three games as the underdog, the Pelicans have a straight up record of 1-2. But, their mark vs the spread was just 1-2.
• Through their last three matchups as the betting favorite, the Pistons have a good straight up record, but their ATS mark is just 1-2.

Pelicans vs Pistons Prediction

For a point-spread wager in this Pistons vs. Pelicans game, we suggest taking the Pelicans at +11.5. Even though our predictions have the Pistons winning 114-111, we see the Pelicans as the better choice on the point-spread.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 230.5, and our model projects the Pelicans and Pistons to reach a combined total of 225 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.