March 26, 2026, 8:54 a.m. ET

The New Orleans Pelicans (25-48) and Detroit Pistons (52-20) meet Thursday at 7 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Let’s analyze NBA odds around the Pelicans vs. Pistons odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Pistons lead 1-0 after a 112-104 road win on Jan. 21 as 7.5-point favorites as the Under (233.5) cashed

The Pelicans lost to the New York Knicks 121-116 Tuesday, covering as an 8.5-point road underdog with the Over (229.5) cashing. New Orleans, which has been eliminated from the playoffs, has lost 2 straight, but it is 6-4 straight up and 9-1 against the spread (ATS) across its last 10 games. It is 43-30 ATS on the season.

The Pistons lost to the Atlanta Hawks 130-129 Wednesday, failing to cover as a 2-point home favorite as the Over (230.5) hit. Detroit had its 4-game winning streak snapped, but is still 7-2 straight up and 5-4 ATS over their last 9 outings. They sit atop the Eastern Conference, 4 games ahead of the second-place Boston Celtics.

Watch the NBA on Fubo!Pelicans at Pistons odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:34 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Pelicans +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Pistons -200 (bet $200 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans +4.5 (-105) | Pistons -4.5 (-115)Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)Pelicans at Pistons key injuries

Pelicans

F Trey Murphy III (ankle) questionableG Dejounte Murray (achilles) questionable

Pistons

(Not yet submitted — below was for Wednesday’s game)

G Cade Cunningham (lung) outG Javonte Green (ankle) questionableG Marcus Sasser (hip) doubtfulF Isaiah Stewart (calf) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Pelicans at Pistons picks and predictionsPrediction

Pistons 113, Pelicans 110

PASS.

Avoid this play. The Pistons (-200) should win at home, but they aren’t worth taking at 2 times your money here.

BET PELICANS +4.5 (-105).

The Pistons have had 2 straight games decided by 3 points or fewer, and they are coming off one of their worst defensive performances of the season. Having gone to overtime and short their best player, their last game might cause a sluggish performance Thursday.

The Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their previous 6 games when closing as an underdog, and they have covered in 3 straight road performances.

BET UNDER 226.5 (-115).

The Pistons have heavily relied on their defensive identity this season, and that’s driven their Under often. They have gone Under in 3 of their last 4 contests and are 32-40 O/U on the season.

New Orleans has gone Under in 6 of its last 7 games and has allowed 111 points or fewer in all but one of those outings.

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