The New Orleans Pelicans are 12-1 SU and 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games against the Detroit Pistons, including a game in Detroit on December 9 that the Pelicans won 116-108. With that, New Orleans opens as a 4.5-point favorite tonight at the Smoothie King Center in NOLA. The total for this game opened at 222.5.
- The Pelicans are 2-4 SU and 3-3 ATS in their last six games without Anthony Davis.
- The total has gone UNDER in seven of the Pistons’ last eight games (avg. combined score: 206.5).
- The Pelicans are 12-1 SU and 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games against Detroit.
Pistons vs Pelicans Game Center
Anthony Davis is Injured
The second-leading scorer in the Association, Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, is out for at least a couple of weeks with a hand injury that has yet to be completely diagnosed. This hasn’t been a great spot for the Pels this season as they are 2-4 SU and 3-3 ATS without the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft.
Davis had been having his best month of the season in January, averaging 32.6 points per game in eight outings, propelling him to the No. 2 spot in the scoring race behind James Harden. On the back of Davis’ success, the Pelicans had been having their best scoring month since October at 121.3 points per game.
Pistons Are On A Really Bad Run Right Now
Detroit has lost seven of its last 10 games and is scoring just 101.8 points per game in January. That’s a full 10 points per game less than its average in October and November. So what’s going on?
Part of the issue for the last three games is the absence of six-foot-11 Andre Drummond under the hoop. Drummond remains in concussion protocol after being injured on Friday against Miami. With Drummond out of the rotation, Dwane Casey is missing 33 minutes, 16.3 points and 14.9 rebounds per game.
Drummond remains questionable for tonight’s game and did not practice with the team yesterday.
My Pick for This Game
With big men missing for both teams, I am completely comfortable taking the UNDER in this game. Detroit will be relying heavily on Blake Griffin in combination with outside shooting to get their points. The Pistons have the No. 29 two-point field-goal percentage and the No. 30 three-point field-goal percentage in the NBA.
Likewise, with Anthony Davis missing, the Pelicans will have to adjust their offense without their leader’s 29.3 points per game. I also don’t mind a Pelicans’ spread play in this one.
