New Orleans Pelicans at Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, December 30 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Pistons about a 87% chance, and the Pelicans would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Pistons 87%, with a projected score of New Orleans Pelicans 107, Detroit Pistons 119. The rating gap is 226 points in favor of the Pistons, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Pistons on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 8 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Pelicans are 0-2 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -3.4. The Pistons are 2-0 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +2.2.
The Pelicans' best recent win was 156-137 at home against UTA.
The Pelicans were beaten 144-118 on the road by BOS not long ago.
The Pistons' best recent win was 115-94 on the road against CLE.
The Pistons were beaten 125-94 at home by CLE not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Day to day or questionable: Yves Missi (NOP), Ausar Thompson (DET), and Jalen Duren (DET). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Pistons lead 4-0, with the Pistons outscoring the Pelicans by an average of 20.3 points per game. The last meeting was NOP 108, DET 129.