Pelicans vs Pistons Predictions, Odds & NBA Player Props for 11/02

NBA Best Bet Today #1: ⭐ Under 218 (-110) at FanDuel

Both the New Orleans Pelicans and Detroit Pistons have struggled offensively to start. Despite the offensive issues, both teams have found success on the defensive end of the floor, which is why we are confident in targeting the total in this matchup. 

We like Under 218 (-110) at FanDuel. The Pelicans rank 26th in scoring (104.8) and are 27th in effective field goal percentage at 49.3%. New Orleans has also been bad from 3-point range, where it makes just 31.5% from beyond the arc, ranking 24th in that category. But on the defensive end, the Pelicans are eighth in points allowed per game (106.8) and are the best team in the league at limiting fast-break points (9.5). New Orleans also has the best 3-point defense, leading the NBA by allowing opponents to make just 26.5% from 3. 

Detroit has its own offensive issues. The Pistons are 19th in scoring (108.8) and 17th in effective field goal percentage (52.5%) but have the 10th-best scoring defense (107.6). Detroit also leads the league in two-point defense, limiting opponents to just 46.8% from inside the arc. 

Considering the weaknesses on offense and the strengths each team has shown on defense early on, we like the under in this matchup.

Betting Pick: Under 218(-110) at FanDuel

NBA Best Bet Today #2: ⭐ Ausar Thompson Over 11.5 Points (-113) at FanDuel

For our first NBA player prop, we're targeting Detroit rookie Ausar Thompson. The Pistons took Thompson with the No. 5 pick in this year's draft and Thompson has seen plenty of game action, averaging 29.5 minutes per contest.

We're going with Ausar Thompson Over 11.5 Points (-113) at FanDuel. After three single-digit scoring games to start the season, Thompson has reached double figures in consecutive contests, scoring 15 points against the Thunder and 16 versus the Trail Blazers. What's even more encouraging for this prop is how aggressive Thompson has been on offense over the last two games. He had 14 shots in each game against the Thunder and Trail Blazers, which is a substantial increase from the 23 shots he had in the first three games combined. 

With a more aggressive offensive outlook, we like the value on Thompson to score at least 12 points against the Pelicans.

Betting Pick: Ausar Thompson Over 11.5 Points (-113) at FanDuel

NBA Best Bet Today #3: ⭐ Zion Williamson Under 24.5 Points (-125) at BetMGM

Zion Williamson is back from playing just 29 games last season and has been active in all four of the Pelicans contests this season. But we're going to look to fade Williamson in the point prop market. 

We're going with Zion Williamson Under 24.5 Points (-125) at BetMGM. Williamson hasn't scored more than 24.5 points in any of the four games this season and is averaging 21.5 points during that span. He's also playing fewer minutes than normal. Through four games, he's averaging 30.0 minutes which is three minutes less than what he averaged in the previous two seasons. 

It's a small sample size but Williamson is also shooting just 50% from the field, which is a sharp decline from his career field goal percentage of 60%. With fewer minutes, and a lower efficiency rate, we're going with the under on Williamson's point prop.

Betting Pick: Zion Williamson Under 24.5 Points (-125) at BetMGM

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