The honeymoon is over for Reggie Jackson and the Detroit Pistons. After helping the Pistons to back-to-back wins in his first two games in town, Jackson’s new team is now suffering a three-game losing skid, with Jackson himself struggling with his shot.
The New Orleans Pelicans have had fewer problems, even with superstar Anthony Davis on the sideline. Can the Pelicans continue their unlikely push and punish the slumping Pistons? Read on for our complete preview of this matchup below.
For more of the NBA’s Wednesday offerings, check out our preview of the blockbuster Blazers vs. Clippers showdown.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Detroit Pistons vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
When: Wednesday, March 4, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Detroit Pistons at New Orleans Pelicans – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons’ playoff momentum has lost a significant amount of steam after a string of tough losses. There isn’t much shame in losing to the locked-in Cavs (102-93), but the Pistons followed that up with back-to-back defeats to the struggling Knicks (121-115 in OT) and Wizards (99-95), who had lost six in a row before meeting Detroit.
[sc:NBA240banner ]After combining for 43 points against the Cavs, the Pistons’ starting backcourt of Reggie Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have completely lost their stroke. Jackson is 9-of-36 (25 percent) from the field in his last two games, while KCP is 9-of-26 (35 percent).
The two will have a favorable matchup to break out of their slump against the Pelicans’ subpar perimeter defense. New Orleans has allowed unheralded scorers like Rajon Rondo (19 points), Will Barton (16 points) and Henry Walker (16 points) to explode offensively over its last three games.
Meanwhile, Greg Monroe has recorded back-to-back 20-point, 10-rebound performances recently against the Knicks and Wizards, both in a losing effort. With Anthony Davis still out for the Pelicans, look for Monroe to capitalize on his defensive matchup in the undersized Dante Cunningham. Monroe had 16 points and eight rebounds in their first meeting against the Pelicans with Davis in the lineup.
The Pistons are 1-6 (3-4 against the spread) in their last seven road games.
Betting on the New Orleans Pelicans
It took a while, but the New Orleans Pelicans finally lost a game without All-Star Anthony Davis. The Pelicans had gone a perfect 5-0 (5-0 against the spread) since Davis re-injured his right shoulder against the Miami Heat on Feb. 21. However, that streak was snapped as they fell, 102-93, at the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.
With Davis and Ryan Anderson still out, the Pelicans’ backcourt has stepped up to provide some much needed offense. Eric Gordon had 18 points against the Mavs, his third-straight game of 18 or more points. Tyreke Evans has recorded four straight games of 15-plus points and seven-plus assists. And the newly-acquired Norris Cole has been terrific, with double-digit scoring in five of his first six games off the Pelicans bench.
Having all three playing well should help the Pelicans expose a Pistons defense that has struggled of late. Detroit is 25th in the league in defensive rating over the last 10 games.
But to maintain their success sans Davis, the Pelicans will need another big outburst from Quincy Pondexter and/or Alexis Ajinca. Both have certainly been capable of providing just that. Pondexter went off for 25 and 18 points last week against the Heat and Nets, while Ajinca has come up with 16- and 24- point outings against the Raptors and Heat.
The over is 8-1 in the Pelicans’ last nine home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Pistons rebound and take advantage of Davis’ absence to win and cover at New Orleans. Create a betting account now and take advantage of all the daily NBA action at America’s top sportsbook.
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