Pelicans vs Nets prediction NBA · Saturday, December 26
At a glance
The Brooklyn Nets (0-4) host the New Orleans Pelicans (0-4) on Saturday, December 26 at 6:00 PM ET at Barclays Center in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Pelicans a 54% chance to win and projects a 115-114 score (Pelicans – Nets), about 229 total points. This season, the Nets are 0-2 at home and the Pelicans are 0-2 on the road. Since the start of the season: 0-4 for the Nets and 0-4 for the Pelicans (current streaks: Nets L4, Pelicans L4). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 31% of cases according to the model. Reported injuries: Dejounte Murray (Pelicans), Jordan Poole (Pelicans), Yves Missi (Pelicans), Egor Demin (Nets) and Tyler Bilodeau (Nets). Prediction confidence: low.
The analysis Model
A wide-open game: the model barely separates the two teams. The model projects Nets 114 – 115 Pelicans, a margin of about 1.1 points in favor of the Pelicans and a total around 229 points. Expect a game at a standard NBA pace. The Nets will be without Egor Demin or Tyler Bilodeau. The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray or Jordan Poole (and 1 other). Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.
- The overall strength gap (-8.4 vs -4.1 pts/game) is the main factor.
- The Nets need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
- The Pelicans' offense (115.7 pts/game) is the more productive of the two.
What tips the balance
Scenarios
Stat comparison Current season
NOBKN
Players to watch
Pelicans
Zion WilliamsonF · #121.8pts / game
Dejounte MurrayG · #56.0assists
Derik QueenC · #229.2reboundsNets
Michael Porter Jr.F · #1722.8pts / game
Julius RandleF · #305.8assistsJulius RandleF · #307.5reboundsRecent form
NO
107-106L
123-120L
120-119L
141-135 OTL104-91BKN
144-128L
110-103L
125-121L136-109L
125-124 OT
BKN
Second opinion
Our model compared with ESPN's public model (BPI). When they agree, the prediction is more solid.
✓ Both models pick the same favorite.
Team comparison
| NO | BKN | |
|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | Record | 0-4 |
| 115.7 | Points scored / game | 108.0 |
| 120.5 | Points allowed / game | 117.9 |
| -4.1 | Adjusted margin / game | -8.4 |
| L4 | Current streak | L4 |
| 0-4 | Last 10 games | 0-4 |
| 0-2 road | Home / road record | 0-2 home |
| 26-56 (-4.5) | Last season | 20-62 (-10.0) |
| No | Played yesterday | No |
Injury report Pelicans
Injury report Nets
Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data; early in the season they rely heavily on last season. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.