Pelica Debrief
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Pistons vs. Pelicans NBA expert prediction and odds for Thursday, Nov. 2 (Back NOLA)

By Peter Dewey

Oct 25, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) and New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) wait for play to resume during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) and New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) wait for play to resume during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New Orleans Pelicans have gotten off to a fast start in the 2023-24 season, but they’ll have to play the second game of a back-to-back on Thursday against the Detroit Pistons.

Luckily for New Orleans, the Pistons also played on Wednesday night, losing at home to the lowly Portland Trail Blazers.

That’s led to the Pels (3-1 this season) being set as 7.5-point favorites at home on Thursday. Can New Orleans cover the number and move to 4-1?

It will be key to monitor the injury reports for this game, as Brandon Ingram has missed two straight contests for New Orleans, and there’s a chance the team could sit Zion Williamson on the second night of a back-to-back.

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Pistons vs. Pelicans odds, spread and total

Pistons vs. Pelicans how to watch

  • Date: Tuesday, Nov. 2
  • Game Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
  • Venue: Smoothie King Center
  • How to Watch (TV): Bally Sports Detroit, Bally Sports New Orleans
  • Detroit Pistons Record: 2-3
  • New Orleans Pelicans Record: 3-1

Pistons vs. Pelicans injury reports

Detroit Pistons injury report

  • Monte Morris – out
  • Bojan Bogdanovic – out
  • Isaiah Livers – out
  • Jalen Duren (day-to-day)
  • Alec Burks (day-to-day)

Burks and Duren both missed Wednesday’s loss to the Blazers.

New Orleans Pelicans injury report

  • Brandon Ingram (day-to-day)
  • Naji Marshall – out
  • Jose Alvarado – out
  • Trey Murphy III – out

Ingram missed the team’s win over OKC on Wednesday with a knee injury.

Pistons vs. Pelicans key players to watch

Detroit Pistons

Ausar Thompson: No. 5 overall pick Ausar Thompson is really showcasing why he was so highly-touted in this year’s draft, as he’s averaging 10.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game through his first five NBA contests.

Thompson had 16 points, seven boards, two steals, and two assists in Wednesday’s loss to Portland.

Cade Cunningham: A former No. 1 overall pick, Cunningham is healthy this season and thriving – averaging 22.8 points per game. He turned in his second 30-point game of the season on Wednesday night.

New Orleans Pelicans

CJ McCollum: The veteran guard is COOKING right now. McCollum led the way against the Thunder on Wednesday night scoring 29 points, adding 11 assists and five boards as well in the four-point win.

If Ingram misses another game, McCollum will be relied on more as a scorer for the Pels.

Jordan Hawkins: The Pelicans’ lottery pick in the 2023 NBA Draft has filled in for Brandon Ingram in the starting lineup the past two games, and he’s had his ups and downs. After scoring 14 points against the Golden State Warriors, Hawkins played 37 minutes on Wednesday against OKC, but shot just 4-for-19 from the field.

He’s a solid shooter, so it’s only a matter of time before the rookie finds his footing at the NBA level. With Murphy III out, the Pelicans need him to be a key piece of the rotation. t

Pistons vs. Pelicans prediction and pick

This is a winnable game for the Pelicans if they can get some of their star players in the lineup. If a combination of two of Ingram, Williamson, and McCollum play, then New Orleans should be in a good spot against Detroit.

The Pistons were 7-7 against the spread on the second night of back-to-backs last season while New Orleans was 5-7 ATS in that same spot.

While the Pelicans are just 29th in the NBA in offensive rating so far this season, they’re an elite defensive team, ranking fifth in the league in defensive rating.

That could spell trouble for the Pistons, who mustered just 101 points against an inferior Portland team last night.

Detroit also may be down two more key players than it already is (Morris and Bogdanovic are out), as Jalen Duren and Alec Burks both sat out Wednesday night’s game.

I think New Orleans’ defense can help carry it to a win, but bettors will want to clarify the injury reports for both sides before locking in their wager tonight.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey’s betting record here.

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