Pelicans vs 76ers Prediction 2/21/26 NBA Picks Today
Philadelphia 76ers (30-25) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (15-42)
February 21, 2026 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans +4.5; Over/Under: 230.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans meet Saturday in NBA action at the Smoothie King Center. Here’s a Pelicans vs. 76ers prediction. This article will include a Pelicans vs. 76ers pick.
Philadelphia 76ers Betting Preview
The Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Hawks and Knicks, and they play the Timberwolves next. The 76ers have lost 4 of their last 5 games.
The Philadelphia 76ers are averaging 116.2 points on 46 percent shooting and allowing 115.9 points on 47.1 percent shooting. Tyrese Maxey is averaging 28.9 points and 6.8 assists, while Joel Embiid is averaging 26.6 points and 7.5 rebounds. Paul George is the third double-digit scorer, and VJ Edgecombe is grabbing 5.4 rebounds. The Philadelphia 76ers are shooting 35.6 percent from beyond the arc and 81.6 percent from the free-throw line. The Philadelphia 76ers are allowing 35.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.3 rebounds per game.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Heat and Bucks, and they play the Warriors next. The Pelicans have lost 20 of their last 27 games.
The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 114.6 points on 46.2 percent shooting and allowing 120.4 points on 47.8 percent shooting. Trey Murphy III is averaging 22.1 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Zion Williamson is averaging 21.6 points and 6.1 rebounds. Saddiq Bey is the third double-digit scorer, and Jordan Poole is dishing 3.1 assists. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 34.5 percent from beyond the arc and 78.5 percent from the free-throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 35.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.6 rebounds per game.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The 76ers have lost each of their last nine games against Western Conference opponents after losing as favorites.
- The underdogs have won four of the Pelicans’ last five games.
- The 76ers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games against Southwest Division opponents after losing as favorites.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last four home games against 76ers teams that held a winning record.
Why the Philadelphia 76ers will win
- The Pelicans have lost 21 of their last 22 games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The 76ers have won seven of their last eight games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The 76ers have covered the spread in each of their last five road games on the first leg of a back-to-back against Western Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of the Pelicans’ last 10 home games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the 76ers’ last eight games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Zion Williamson ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points in the paint per game (16.0) this season.
- Herb Jones is one of only two players in the league to have recorded 8+ steals in a game this season.
Philadelphia 76ers Player Facts
- Tyrese Maxey is the only player in the league to have recorded 5+ steals in consecutive games this season.
- Andre Drummond ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for rebounds per 36 minutes (15.7) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pelicans have recorded the largest comeback win from a HT deficit this season – trailed by 22 points vs Rockets on December 18.
- The Pelicans rank 1st for points in the paint (3226) this season.
- The 76ers rank 30th in the league for Q3 points per game this season (26.3).
- The 76ers rank 1st in the league for Q2 win percentage this season (69.1%).
Pelicans vs 76ers Injury Report
The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray, Micah Peavy, and Yves Missi. Trey Murphy is doubtful.
Joel Embiid is out for the 76ers.
Pelicans vs 76ers Prediction
The 76ers have run into a rough patch, and it could be tough to lay the points here on the road. The problem is the Pelicans stink, and they’re on the end of a back-to-back. We saw the 76ers beat the Pelicans by 10 points less than a month ago. The 76ers are still down Embiid, but there are no excuses here. The 76ers need a feel-good win to get right, and this is an ideal spot. If the 76ers don’t win this game and cover the reasonable number, it’s time to start looking at Philly sideways. I’ll lay out the points.



