Pelicans vs. Nets NBA expert prediction and odds for Tuesday, March 19 (Pels should cover)

The New Orleans Pelicans are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, winning seven of their last 10 games to climb into the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, sitting just one game back of the No. 4-seeded Los Angeles Clippers. 

Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets’ playoff hopes are all but gone, as the team is 4.5 games out of the No. 10 seed in the East entering Tuesday’s matchup. 

Brooklyn blew a double-digit lead late against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, losing in overtime. That certainly is a game the team wishes it had back, and now it has to hold off the surging Pels at Barclays Center on Tuesday. 

If you’re looking to bet on this Pelicans-Nets matchup, Bet365 is the place to do it! For a limited time, new bettors in Louisiana will receive $150 in bonus bets if they simply place a $5 wager with Bet365. That’s an unbelievable offer!

Here’s a look at the odds and my best bet for this matchup: 

Pelicans vs. Nets odds, spread and total

Spread

• Pelicans -7.5 (-110)
• Nets +7.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Pelicans: -320
• Nets: +260

Total

• 216.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Odds via Bet365!

Pelicans vs. Nets how to watch

• Date: Tuesday, March 19
• Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
• Venue: Barclays Center
• How to watch (TV): Bally Sports New Orleans, YES Network
• Pelicans record: 41-26
• Nets record: 26-42

Pelicans vs. Nets injury reports

Pelicans injury report

• Dyson Daniels – out
• Malcolm Hill – out
• Herb Jones – probable
• E.J. Liddell – out
• Dereon Seabron – out
• Cody Zeller – available

Nets injury report

• Noah Clowney – out
• Dorian Finney-Smith – questionable
• Jacob Gilyard – out
• Jaylen Martin – out
• Keon Johnson – out
• Ben Simmons – out
• Dariq Whitehead – out

Pelicans vs. Nets key players to watch

New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson: The former No. 1 overall pick has been dominant as of late, averaging 28.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game over his last five contests. The Nets are going to have a hard time answering Williamson’s athleticism on defense. 

Brooklyn Nets

Cam Thomas: A microwave scorer, Cam Thomas is averaging 21.5 points per game for the Nets, but he’s stepped things up as of late. Thomas has scored 26.8 points per game in his last five contests, putting up at least 21 points in every game. It’ll be interesting to see if he can score in the 20s against Herb Jones and some of the Pels’ elite perimeter defenders. 

Pelicans vs. Nets prediction and pick

These teams have already matched up this season with the Pelicans picking up an easy 27-point win at Smoothie King Center.

Now, they find themselves in a favorable spot as road favorites (New Orleans is 9-8 in that spot this season against the spread) against a Brooklyn team that has struggled as a home underdog, going 8-9-3 ATS. 

The Pelicans have dominated defensively as of late, ranking third in the league in defensive rating and second in net rating over their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Nets are just 15th in the league in net rating over that stretch. 

I think New Orleans has too much offensive firepower when healthy, and the team should easily handle this Brooklyn team that is looking like a surefire lottery team. 

Pick: Pelicans -7.5 (-110)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.