New Orleans Pelicans at Detroit Pistons NBA Picks & Predictions 12/9/2018

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Little Ceasars Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Little Ceasars Arena to play the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, December 9, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Detroit as 1.5 point favorites.

The Pelicans have a record of 13-14. They are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 2.1 as they average 118.1 points per game while giving up 115.9 per contest. The Pistons have an overall mark of 13-10. They currently are 3rd in the Central Division. They total 109.4 points per contest and give up 109.8, which is a point differential of -0.3.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 12-15-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 15-11-0 against the over/under

Important Detroit Pistons Betting Trends

The Detroit Pistons are 12-11-0 against the spread

The Detroit Pistons are 12-11-0 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

11/18/18 PG Elfrid Payton Finger is out indefinitely

Key Detroit Pistons Injuries

12/07/18 PG Ish Smith Groin is out indefinitely
12/07/18 SF Reggie Bullock Ankle is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
12/07/18 SF Stanley Johnson Knee is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday comes into this contest averaging 20.4 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 9.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 76%. Anthony Davis averages 27.8 points per game in 37.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.9 assists per contest and 12.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 51% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Blake Griffin averages 25.2 points per game while playing 35.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 9.3 rebounds per game and has 5.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 75%. Reggie Jackson averages 15.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.8 rebounds per contest and 4.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 118.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.2 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 5th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 16th in the league. They average 47.7 rebounds per game and 27.1 assists per game, which ranks them 4th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 15.0 per game. The Pelicans allow 115.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 21st and 21st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.4 rebounds a game which ranks 9th and they give up 25.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 7th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Detroit is 17th in the league with 109.4 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -0.4. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 29th in the NBA. They are 6th in the league in rebounding with 47.6 boards per game, and 26th in assists per contest with 21.3. The Pistons are 18th in turnovers per game with 14.2. The Pistons surrender 109.8 points per contest, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 19th and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 23.2 assists allowed per contest and 15th with 44.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pistons are 18th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 112.3, and their offensive rating of 114.4 is ranked 23rd. They are 4th in the NBA in pace with 103.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 5th. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA. New Orleans is 13th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 9th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Detroit is 21st in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 16th in the league. The Pistons are 25th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.4, and their defensive rating of 107.7 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 100.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 30th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Pelicans/Pistons NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Detroit -1.5

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