Philadelphia 76ers vs New Orleans Pelicans Betting Pick & Prediction for 2/21
The Philadelphia 76ers are set to visit the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. This game is part of the NBA regular season, taking place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Fans can catch the action on NBCS.
The 76ers, led by head coach Nick Nurse, have a record of 30-25. They are currently ranked 6th in the Eastern Conference. The New Orleans Pelicans, coached by interim head coach James Borrego, have struggled this season with a record of 15-42. They hold the 14th spot in the Western Conference.
76ers vs Pelicans Game Day Info
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Philadelphia 76ers vs. New Orleans Pelicans
- Venue: Smoothie King Center
- Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
- Betting Odds: 76ers -3.5, Pelicans +3.5
Philadelphia 76ers Team Preview
The Philadelphia 76ers have had a tough stretch recently, losing their last three games. They fell to the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers. Tyrese Maxey stood out, scoring 28, 32, and 30 points in these games.
On the season, the 76ers are scoring 116 points per game, ranking 14th in the league. They have a field goal percentage of 45.9, which places them 23rd. Their defense has allowed 115.9 points per game, ranking them 17th.
Joel Embiid and Paul George are both out, affecting the team’s performance. Embiid has a knee injury and shin soreness, while George is serving a suspension. The 76ers’ starting lineup for the next game includes Maxey, Edgecombe, Oubre Jr., Barlow, and Drummond.
New Orleans Pelicans Team Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans have faced some tough games recently. They lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 139-118, despite Zion Williamson scoring 32 points. The team shot 54.0% from the field, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
In another recent game, the Pelicans fell to the Miami Heat 123-111. Zion Williamson again led the team with 25 points. The team struggled with a field goal percentage of 45.7% during the game.
The Pelicans had a strong performance against the Sacramento Kings, winning 120-94. Trey Murphy III scored 21 points and had 7 assists. Their field goal percentage was 54.0%, which helped them secure a decisive victory.
BTB Betting Pick
The Philadelphia 76ers are favored by 3.5 points against the New Orleans Pelicans. The 76ers score 116.0 points per game, while the Pelicans allow 120.7 points. Given these stats, the 76ers are likely to cover the spread with a projected score of 122-115.
The over/under for the game is set at 228.5 points. The 76ers allow 115.9 points per game, and the Pelicans score 114.6 points. This suggests a total close to 237 points, making the over a reasonable pick.