On Sunday, 03/23, the Detroit Pistons (39-32) will host the New Orleans Pelicans(19-52) in an inter-conference Regular-Season match-up. The Pistons are in sixth place in the East, while the Pelicans have languished at 14th spot in the West. Will the Pistons begin their three-game home stretch on a bang? Read about the preview, total predictions, and player props here.
Pistons: Feeling a little… tired? Still impressive
The Detroit Pistons will enter the affair after a 6-point loss(117-123) against the Dallas Mavericks despite a 35-point performance by Cade Cunningham. The defeat broke a 2-game winning streak, and they have a so-so 6-6 record in the last three weeks or so. Their defensive effort has been on par with their season performance as they have given up around 112 a game(13th). Meanwhile, their offense has actually seen an uptick as they have scored 118.9 PPG(5th), which is better than the season average of 115.1(12th). But the issue has been a couple of single-digit losses to a bottom-feeder like Washington Wizards and the heavily short-handed Mavericks.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Cade Cunningham | PG/SG: Dennis Schroeder | SF: Ausar Thompson | PF: Tobias Harris | C: Jalen Duren
Key Injuries/Updates: Jaden Ivey is OUT for the season. Tim Haradway Jr. can also be OUT for long-term
Pelicans: Another lukewarm campaign
The New Orleans Pelicans will come into this affair after an embarrassing 41-point loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves(93-134) despite a 15-point performance by CJ McCollum. It was their fourth loss in five games, which has been their story for the season. The worst part is that the squad is 10-20 even when their ace Zion Williamson has been present. Trey Murphy III(now out for the season) and CJ McCollum have formed a strong offensive backcourt, but are also prone to lengthy inconsistencies. The center position hasn’t been good enough and the injuries to Dejounte Murray and Herbert Jones broke the team’s defensive spirit but they were just 9-22 even when Murray was active. To be fair, we haven’t seen enough from the duo of Williamson and Murray, but there are doubts if the current core is competent enough to support the duo.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Jose Alvarado | SG: CJ McCollum | SF: Bruce Brown | PF: Kelly Olynyk | C: Yves Missi
Key Injuries/Updates: Dejounte Murray, Herbert Jones, and Trey Murphy III are OUT for the season. Brandon Boston is OUT and may return by early April. Zion Williamson’s status is UNCLEAR.
The Pelicans are severely undermanned, lacking the firepower to put up 110 points. Their defense looks decent but has many holes, especially if Williamson is out. Meanwhile, the Pistons will be itching to get past 125 or so here even if Zion is good to go. At any rate, I expect Detroit to shut the Pels around 105 and score over 125.
Cade Cunningham to score over 28.5 points: The Pistons Floor Manager has tallied 27.1 points per game in March thus far. He has scored 27 or more in most games, and I expect to breach the mark here.
Jalen Duren to grab over 12.5 rebounds: The hardworking center is going to make life difficult for the Pels and will probably have a ton of boards to clear. He has tallied 10.1 rebounds in the month thus far, and I expect him to clasp 13-15 rebounds here.
CJ McCollum to score over 22.5 points: McCollum is having a tough month by his current standards, putting up less than 16 points per game. I expect him to beat that trend and accumulate 23-27 points.
Kelly Olynyk to score over 12.5 points: The veteran forward has hit the 11.4 points per game mark in March. I believe he wil be score in the 13-15 range here.
Detroit has been a significant threat throughout the season and would love to fry the decimated Pels here. The Pelicans are in the lottery mode and winning hasn’t been their priority. However, we never know when a squad like that is up for a surprise. But I highly doubt the Pistons will let them even keep it close. Cunningham and Co. to pull off a 20+ points win here.
Safe Spread Pick: Pelicans -13.5 for +120 at BetMGM
Photo Credit: Stephen Lew- Imagn Images
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