New Orleans Pelicans at Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, February 1 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the 76ers about a 81% chance, and the Pelicans would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the 76ers 81%, with a projected score of New Orleans Pelicans 111, Philadelphia 76ers 120. The rating gap is 152 points in favor of the 76ers, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the 76ers on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 5 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Pelicans are 0-3 this season and 0-5 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -8.4. The 76ers are 3-0 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -3.8.
The Pelicans were beaten 144-118 on the road by BOS not long ago.
The 76ers were beaten 144-114 at home by NYK not long ago.
Offense against defense
The Pelicans score 124.7 a game and allow 128. The 76ers score 115.7 and allow 107.3. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 116 for the Pelicans and 121.9 for the 76ers, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Pelicans' offense is the stronger unit against the 76ers' defense.
The Pelicans have defended better than the 76ers have scored, so the 76ers may need to find offense elsewhere.
Injuries to watch
Out: Yves Missi (NOP), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Dominick Barlow (PHI), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Ariel Hukporti (PHI), expected back Oct 1, 2027, Tacko Fall (PHI), expected back Oct 25, 2026, and LeBron James (PHI), expected back Oct 25, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Jabari Walker (PHI). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Pelicans lead 3-1, with the Pelicans outscoring the 76ers by an average of 6.5 points per game. The last meeting was PHI 111, NOP 126.