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Brooklyn Nets vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions – January 14, 2026
Two teams with postseason aspirations collide in the Big Easy as the Brooklyn Nets travel to face the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 8:10 PM ET in what projects to be a competitive, pace-driven matchup. The Nets are slight road favorites at -1.5, with a moneyline of -126. The Pelicans are priced at +102 to win outright, and the total sits at 229.5.
The line reflects uncertainty — both teams are hovering around .500, dealing with injuries, and playing inconsistent ball. But with contrasting styles and multiple matchup variables in play, this game offers more value than it may appear.
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Brooklyn Nets vs New Orleans Pelicans Odds
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| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Nets | -126 | -1.5 (-112) | O 229.5 (-110) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +102 | +1.5 (-108) | U 229.5 (-110) |
Brooklyn Nets Betting Form
The Nets are 20–19 entering this matchup, but their recent form is shaky. They’ve dropped 5 of their last 7 games and are just 3–7 on the road in their last 10 away from Barclays Center. Their offense has become too perimeter-reliant, and they’re struggling to finish at the rim.
Mikal Bridges has cooled off after a strong start, and while Cam Thomas continues to provide scoring, the offense lacks true playmaking — especially with Ben Simmons still sidelined and Spencer Dinwiddie’s inconsistency. The result? A middling offensive rating and frequent dry spells late in games.
On defense, Brooklyn is still switch-heavy and active on the perimeter, but they’ve dropped outside the top 10 in defensive efficiency. They allow a high 3PT percentage and struggle on the defensive glass — particularly against teams with strong interior presences.
Brooklyn is 1–5 ATS in their last 6 road games, and their reliance on hot shooting makes them vulnerable when defenses collapse and switch — something the Pelicans are built to do.
Check availability and injury status on Cam Johnson and Day’Ron Sharpe through the Brooklyn Nets injury report, and track team metrics on the Nets stats page.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Form
The Pelicans are 21–20 and playing better at home, where they’re 12–8 on the season and 7–3 in their last 10. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum have provided steady scoring, while Zion Williamson (when active) continues to be a matchup nightmare against undersized defenders. New Orleans ranks 7th in the NBA in points in the paint — a clear edge over Brooklyn’s rim protection issues.
One area where New Orleans has improved is 3-point shooting. Trey Murphy III’s return has helped space the floor, and the Pelicans now rank top-10 in 3PT% — making their offense far less one-dimensional.
Defensively, the Pelicans are quietly top-10 in efficiency, thanks to Herb Jones’ perimeter defense and Jonas Valanciunas’ rebounding presence. They’re disciplined, don’t foul much, and defend both the rim and the arc better than league average.
This is a short number for a home dog that matches up well on both ends. The Pelicans are 6–2 ATS in their last 8 home games and could easily close as a slight favorite by tipoff.
For the latest lineup and injury news, visit the New Orleans Pelicans injury report and review advanced stats on the Pelicans team profile.
Nets vs Pelicans Matchup Breakdown
This isn’t just a tight spread — it’s a real chess match between two teams trying to find consistency. Here’s where the edge may lie:
- Interior Scoring vs Rim Protection: New Orleans attacks the paint, and Brooklyn has no real shot-blocker. That’s a big concern against Zion and Ingram’s slashing.
- Tempo and Possessions: Brooklyn plays slower (23rd in pace), but the Pelicans can speed things up — especially at home. More possessions = more chances for talent to shine, and New Orleans has more efficient scoring options.
- Rebounding Gap: Brooklyn ranks 24th in rebound rate. New Orleans is top-12 and aggressive on the offensive glass. Second-chance points could swing this.
- Halfcourt Creation: When the game slows, Brooklyn stalls. They lack a true floor general. Meanwhile, New Orleans can run ISO through Ingram or CJ and still get quality shots.
Schedule-wise, Brooklyn is on the second leg of a two-game road trip, while New Orleans is rested. The Pelicans also have the altitude edge from not having to travel across time zones.
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Nets vs Pelicans Predictions and Best Bets
This line suggests a coin flip, but the matchup favors the Pelicans. They’re the better defensive team, they’re stronger on the glass, and they’ve been more consistent at home. Brooklyn has struggled on the road and often looks disjointed late in close games.
Lean: Pelicans +1.5 (-108) or Pelicans ML +102 if you’re comfortable with the straight-up angle. There’s enough here — paint scoring, rebounding, home form — to make the home dog worth a shot.
On the total, lean Under 229.5 (-110). The Pelicans play better defense than they get credit for, and Brooklyn’s offense can stagnate in longer possessions. If neither team shoots well from deep, this lands closer to 220.
Additional angle: Zion Over 22.5 points, assuming he plays and is not restricted. Brooklyn has nobody who can physically match him on drives.
Best Bet: Pelicans +1.5 (-108).
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