The New Orleans Pelicans (19-19) square off with the Detroit Pistons (21-17) at Smoothie King Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, January 8, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports – Detroit.
Detroit Pistons at New Orleans Pelicans ATS Prediction
The Pistons will be looking for a similar outcome after beating the Houston Rockets in their last contest, 108-101. The Pistons made 20 of their 27 free throws (74.1 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.587 (above their season average of 0.509). Detroit was lifted by Tobias Harris, who was the game’s high scorer with 27 points on 8-for-15 shooting.
In the Pelicans’ last game, they got blown out by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 116-98. Minnesota won the rebounding battle. The Timberwolves had 13 offensive rebounds and 47 total rebounds, while the Pelicans had seven and 38, respectively. DeMarcus Cousins had a solid game for New Orleans, leading both teams in scoring with 23 points on 6-for-11 shooting.
This has potential to be a mistake-prone game for the offense of New Orleans. New Orleans ranks 26th in the league in ball protection (turnover percentage of 15.2 percent), while the gambling defense of Detroit forces the fifth-most turnovers in the league (15.4 percent).
Detroit comes into the contest with records of 21-17 straight up (SU) and 21-15-2 against the spread (ATS). Games involving the Pistons have typically finished under the total (60.5 percent).
Meanwhile, New Orleans is 19-19 SU and 21-17 ATS. Unlike Detroit, Pelicans games tend to go over the O/U total (57.9 percent).
After splitting two games last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the most recent game, the Pelicans won 109-86. One of New Orleans’ biggest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 22-23 (95.7 percent), while the Pistons were just 3-17 (17.6 percent).
Detroit Pistons vs. New Orleans Pelicans ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Detroit is 11-8-1 ATS on the road with 13 unders, 6 overs and 1 push.
At home, New Orleans is 9-9 ATS with 12 overs and 6 unders.
New Orleans is 7-0 when they allow under 100 points, while Detroit is 11-4.
In games where they score above 100 points, the Pistons are 18-5 and the Pelicans are 17-13.
Detroit ranks second in fast break points allowed per game (7.9) while New Orleans ranks 26th (13.9).
The Pelicans rank second in assists per game (26.4) while the Pistons rank 25th in assists allowed per game (24.3).
Detroit ranks eighth in steals allowed per game (7.0) while New Orleans ranks 28th (8.8).
The Pistons rank fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.6) while the Pelicans rank 23rd (18.4).
New Orleans ranks 12th in blocks per game (4.8) while Detroit ranks last (3.3).
The Pistons rank fourth in second chance points allowed per game (10.8) while the Pelicans rank 22nd (13.1).
New Orleans ranks second in points in the paint per game (50.4) while Detroit ranks 19th (42.3).
The Pistons rank 12th in three pointers allowed per game (27.9) while the Pelicans rank 26th (30.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Detroit is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
New Orleans is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Pistons have been outscored by an average of 7.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Detroit has defeated opponents by an average of 0.1 points.
During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 111.4 points per game (0.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 112.0 points per game (1.0 above their season average).
