Detroit Pistons vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction & Picks - NBA

Prediction published on 3/17/25, 12:08 AM  by Stephen Abiola | Modified on 3/17/25 at 3:10 AM in NBA Picks

The New Orleans Pelicans and Detroit Pistons will meet at the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday night in what appears to be a mismatch on paper. The Pelicans have been one of the more promising teams in the Western Conference, showing flashes of brilliance but struggled to keep up. Last season, they finished eighth with 49 wins but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Zion Williamson has remained the focal point of the team, but his injury history has been a concern. Alongside CJ McCollum, the Pelicans boast a strong offensive trio, but their defense suffers, especially in transition.

On the other hand, the Pistons continue their long rebuilding process. Last season, they finished with the worst record in the NBA, winning just 14 games. Despite high hopes with young talents like Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, Detroit has struggled to find a winning formula. Their defense was among the worst in the league, allowing over 100 points per game, while their offense lacked firepower to compete with elite teams. However, with the addition of a few veterans, they aim to be more competitive this season.