Pelicans vs Pistons Prediction and NBA Tips - 22 January 2026
Last updated: Jan 22, 2026, 1:08AM | Published: Jan 21, 2026, 3:09PM
The New Orleans Pelicans will face the favoured Detroit Pistons in NBA action at Smoothie King Center on Thursday, starting at 12:00pm AEDT.
Led by star players Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy and Saddiq Bey, the Pelicans are aiming to beat a Pistons team that includes Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson.
This article features Stats Insider's top betting tips for the Pelicans vs Pistons game, plus the latest betting odds.
Who Will Win?
Using advanced machine learning and data, Stats Insider has simulated the outcome of Thursday's New Orleans vs Detroit NBA game 10,000 times.
Our leading predictive analytics model gives the Pistons a 71% chance of defeating the Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.
Pelicans vs Pistons: Odds
The latest betting odds in Australia for Thursday's NBA game at Smoothie King Center are listed below:
- Head to Head: Pelicans $3.20, Pistons $1.37
- Line: Pelicans +7 ($1.95), Pistons -7 ($1.87)
- Total (Over/Under 233 Points): Over $1.91, Under $1.91
Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Looking at the latest head-to-head odds, the bookmakers currently have the Pelicans at $3.20 and the Pistons at $1.37.
The Pelicans are listed as 7-point underdogs against the Pistons, with odds of $1.95 available at Bet365.
For the favourite Pistons (-7) to cover the line, Bet365 offers odds of $1.87.
The over/under for total points scored is set at 233 with Bet365, which has odds of $1.91 for the over and $1.91 for the under.
According to Stats Insider's model, the Pelicans (+7) are predicted to cover the line 55% of the time, while the 233-point over/under is expected to stay under 55% of the time.
Pelicans vs Pistons: Best Bets
- Head to Head: New Orleans at $3.20 with Bet365
- Line: Pelicans +7 at $1.95 with Bet365
- Total Points: Under 233 at $1.91 with Bet365
Today's Pelicans vs Pistons best bets are based on market-leading simulations and wagering intelligence to bring you the best possible advice around the clock.
While the Pistons have a higher chance of winning the game, betting on the Pelicans to win is our preferred option because of the edge found when comparing our data-led probabilities to the odds currently available.
Making use of the edges published on Stats Insider is pivotal to being a profitable punter in the long run.
Pelicans vs Pistons: Prediction
Stats Insider's predicted final score for Pelicans vs Pistons at Smoothie King Center on Thursday is the Pistons winning 117-111.
This prediction is based on each team's average score from 10,000 game simulations.
Stats Insider provides full coverage of the New Orleans vs Detroit game on Thursday, including data-driven predictions and live win probabilitiestips.
For more detailed information on this matchup, check out Dimers' Pelicans vs Pistons prediction, put together by experts in the US.
Our model updates frequently, so refresh this article for the latest betting tips before the New Orleans vs Detroit game.
As always, see Stats Insider's Best Bets to get the best tips on every NBA game, as well as predictions for a wide range of other sports.
Pelicans vs Pistons: Essential Details
The NBA game between the Pelicans and Pistons at Smoothie King Center is scheduled to begin at 12:00pm AEDT on Thursday.
- Teams: New Orleans Pelicans vs Detroit Pistons
- Date: Thursday 22 January 2026
- Time: 12:00pm AEDT
- Venue: Smoothie King Center
All dates and times in this article are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), unless otherwise noted.
Conclusion
Our New Orleans vs Detroit predictions are the result of 10,000 data-driven simulations of the game, all curated by our team of experienced data scientists and analysts. We use cutting-edge technology and machine learning to ensure our NBA tips are trustworthy and reliable, so that you can make informed decisions with confidence.
If you choose to use our predictions for betting purposes, it's crucial that you gamble responsibly and keep track of your money. For free and confidential support, call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
More on NBA
Stats Insider is your go-to source for betting on the NBA in Australia, with the latest NBA betting news, tips for every NBA game, and futures odds for the NBA.
