New Orleans Pelicans vs Detroit Pistons Picks and Predictions March 17th 2025

New Orleans Pelicans vs Detroit Pistons March 17th 2025

At 8:00 ET, the Detroit Pistons (-258) will take on the New Orleans Pelicans (+211) in a non-conference matchup. The Pistons are favored by 7 points, and the over/under line is set at 233.

Detroit comes into this game with a record of 37-31, while the Pelicans are 18-50. Both teams have lost two straight games, and the Pistons are currently 6th in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, New Orleans is 14th in the West.

Pistons vs. Pelicans Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Detroit Pistons at New Orleans Pelicans
• Where: New Orleans at Smoothie King Center
• Date: Monday, March 17th
• Betting Odds DET -7, DET -258 | NO +211 O/U 233

The Pistons Can Win If…

Detroit’s season record dropped to 37-31 after a 113-107 home loss to the Thunder on Saturday. The Pistons, who were +4.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The game’s total score of 220 points fell short of the 231.5-point O/U line.

Detroit went on a 14-0 run early, taking the lead from 24-20 to 34-24, but the Thunder responded by outscoring them 36-23 in the 3rd quarter. The Pistons tried to rally in the 4th, winning the quarter 30-22, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.

In their 113-107 loss to the Thunder, the Pistons shot 47.7% from the field and hit 14 threes at a 42.4% clip. Tobias Harris led the way with 18 points, while Dennis Schröder added 17 points and 11 assists, connecting on 4 threes.

Malik Beasley contributed 15 points, hitting 3 threes, and Tim Hardaway and Cade Cunningham each chipped in 11 points. Harris scored 6 points in the 4th quarter, while Schröder and Beasley added 7 and 5 points, respectively, in the final period.

Defensively, the Pistons had a strong 4th quarter, allowing just 22 points, but they struggled in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, giving up 31 and 36 points, respectively, in their 113-107 loss to the Thunder. Overall, Detroit allowed Oklahoma City to shoot 48% from the field.

The Pistons did a good job defending the three, holding the Thunder to 29% shooting and just 10 made threes. Detroit also sent Oklahoma City to the free-throw line 22 times, where they made 17. The Pistons finished with 8 steals and 3 blocks.

• Although Detroit has a straight up record of 6-4 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 6-3-1. The team averaged 122 points per game in these games.
• The Pistons have played well in their last three games as the betting favorite, going 2-1 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.
• Over their last three games, the Pistons have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.

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The Pelicans Can Win If…

The Pelicans dropped to 18-50 on the season after a 119-115 road loss to the Spurs on Saturday. New Orleans, who were -1.5 point favorites, failed to cover the spread. The game’s total of 234 points narrowly missed the O/U line of 235.

San Antonio’s 17-0 run turned the game, as they went from trailing 79-75 to leading 92-79. New Orleans fought back in the 4th, outscoring the Spurs 32-27, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

CJ McCollum led the Pelicans with 26 points, 9 assists, and 5 threes in their 119-115 loss to the Spurs, shooting 45.5% from the field. Trey Murphy added 20 points and 4 threes, while Bruce Brown contributed 19 points on 61.5% shooting.

The Pelicans shot 50% from the field and made 12 threes at a 34.3% clip. McCollum scored 14 points in the 2nd quarter and added 7 more in the 4th, while Karlo Matkovic chipped in 8 of his 12 points in the final period.

The Pelicans had a strong defensive start, holding the Spurs to just 22 points in the 1st quarter, but they struggled in the 2nd and 3rd, giving up 36 and 34 points, respectively. They tightened up in the 4th, allowing 27 points, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a 119-115 loss. Overall, they allowed the Spurs to shoot 46% from the field.

New Orleans had trouble defending the three, as San Antonio hit 16 threes at a 41% clip. The Pelicans also sent the Spurs to the line 33 times, where they made 25 free throws. On the glass, New Orleans gave up 8 offensive rebounds while recording 2 steals and 3 blocks.

• Although New Orleans has a straight up record of 1-4 in their last five home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 0-5. The team averaged 116 points per game in these games.
• Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Pelicans have gone 2-3 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-4.
• In their last three games, the Pelicans have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Coming in as the underdogs at +7, we have the Pelicans as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 233, and our model predicts the Pistons and Pelicans to score a combined 258 points. We recommend betting on the over.

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Pistons’ Composure Under the Microscope Against Hobbled Pelicans

The Detroit Pistons have been one of the biggest surprises in the Eastern Conference playoff race, surging with a 10-1 run starting February 7. However, their recent form has taken a hit, as they’ve lost four of their last six games, including back-to-back defeats.

Detroit begins a three-game road trip Monday night against the New Orleans Pelicans, looking to regain its composure and continue its push for a spot in the NBA Championship playoffs.

Officiating Frustrations Boil Over for Detroit

Despite their impressive turnaround, the Pistons feel like they aren’t getting the respect they deserve—especially from the officials.

Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was vocal after Detroit’s 113-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, a game in which his team was called for five technical fouls.

“I’m extremely proud of the way they continued to compete,” Bickerstaff said. “But I was disgusted by the way that game was officiated.”

The game turned when Cade Cunningham, the team’s leading scorer, was ejected after receiving two technicals. He finished with just 11 points in 29 minutes, tying his season low.

“We deserve a level of respect because we’re competing our tails off,” Bickerstaff added. “We’re growing young players and our young players are competing their tails off.”

Detroit had a chance to rally but struggled to overcome a six-point swing due to technical fouls, as Oklahoma City capitalized on free throws to extend its lead.

“Obviously, when you get a six-point swing, it’s tough,” guard Malik Beasley said. “But we’ve got to be better mentally.”

Pelicans Dealing With Injuries and Turnovers

The New Orleans Pelicans have been battling adversity all season, and it has caught up with them in recent weeks. They have lost six of their last seven games, including a 119-115 setback against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.

The biggest issue for the Pelicans in their latest loss? Turnovers.

New Orleans committed 18 turnovers, leading to a minus-14 differential in points off turnovers.

“When you’re missing guys, our margin for error is small,” head coach Willie Green said. “We have to do a better job of valuing possessions.”

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Zion Williamson’s Status Uncertain

The Pelicans were once again without Zion Williamson (personal reasons) against San Antonio, and his status for Monday’s game remains unclear.

With Williamson out, New Orleans has leaned on key role players like CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy III, who combined for 46 points against the Spurs.

Stepping Up in Key Roles

Even with injuries impacting their rotation, the Pelicans have seen strong contributions from unexpected sources:

• Kelly Olynyk and Bruce Brown, both acquired in the Brandon Ingram trade from Toronto, have played major roles in the rotation.
• Rookie Karlo Matkovic posted his third double-double in 10 games (12 points, 11 rebounds) against the Spurs.

Head coach Willie Green remains optimistic despite the struggles:

“I view this as an opportunity,” Green said. “That’s our message to the team—it’s an opportunity, and you’ve got to try and take advantage of it.”.

Pistons vs. Pelicans: Key Factors to Watch

1. How Will the Pistons Respond to Officiating Frustrations?

With tensions high after Cunningham’s ejection, will Detroit be able to keep its composure?

2. Can the Pelicans Limit Turnovers?

If New Orleans can take better care of the ball, they will have a stronger chance of breaking their losing streak.

3. Who Will Step Up for New Orleans?

If Williamson remains out, McCollum, Murphy, and the role players must step up again to keep pace in the Western Conference playoff race.

What’s at Stake?

For the Pistons, maintaining their Eastern Conference playoff position is crucial, especially with tough matchups ahead against teams in the Central Division and Southeast Division.

For the Pelicans, their Southwest Division playoff hopes are slipping, and they need a turnaround before falling too far behind.

Can the Pistons bounce back from controversy, or will the Pelicans capitalize on their home-court advantage?