Brooklyn visits Smoothie King Center at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass, subject to local restrictions. New Orleans is favored by 4.5 and the total is 230.5. Both teams are coming off lopsided losses, but the Pelicans have the better chance to create easy points inside. See more NBA picks.
Brooklyn Needs to Create Before the Defense Gets Set
The Nets are 2-8 and 1-5 on the road after losing 130-93 at Dallas. They scored 121 at Atlanta the night before. The difference gives us a reasonable range for an offense that can look very different depending on whether its first action creates an advantage.
Brooklyn averages 106.7 points and allows 115.7. The Nets can beat that scoring average here if they get into the lane early and make New Orleans bring help. Their problem is the other end: if the Pelicans get deep catches repeatedly, Brooklyn will have to sustain good shooting to keep up.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 25 in Atlanta and 19 in Dallas. The Nets need to find him before the defense gets matched up, especially with Egor Demin out in the early report. A stagnant possession ending with Porter taking a contested jumper is a win for New Orleans.
New Orleans Can Get Back to the Paint at Home
The Pelicans are 4-7 and 3-3 at home after losing 138-87 at Golden State on Monday. They scored 123 against the Clippers on Sunday and still lost. Returning home gives them a better spot to correct both problems.
New Orleans averages 117.5 points and allows 122.4. I expect it to test Brooklyn’s interior defense early, then play off the help. The Pelicans can cover without defending especially well if they consistently get easier shots than the Nets.
Trey Murphy III scored 26 against the Clippers. His spacing matters alongside Zion Williamson because Brooklyn has to choose how far to help toward the paint. If the Nets stay home on Murphy, Williamson has more room to attack; if they collapse, the Pelicans have a clear outlet.
Nets vs Pelicans Team Comparison
| Metric | Brooklyn | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 2-8 | 4-7 |
| Road / home | 1-5 road | 3-3 home |
| Points scored / allowed per game | 106.7 / 115.7 | 117.5 / 122.4 |
| Most recent result | Lost 130-93 at Dallas | Lost 138-87 at Golden State |
Nets vs Pelicans Head-to-Head
| Date | Result | Combined points |
|---|---|---|
| January 14, 2026 | New Orleans 116, Brooklyn 113 | 229 |
| December 6, 2025 | Brooklyn 119, New Orleans 101 | 220 |
They split those meetings. Brooklyn’s route to another upset is to take away the paint and make New Orleans win with jump shots.
Nets vs Pelicans Position-by-Position
| Position | Brooklyn | New Orleans | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Needs steady initiation without Demin | Jeremiah Fears can attack gaps | New Orleans |
| SG | Can score if the first drive draws help | Must avoid conceding clean kickouts | Even |
| SF | Porter can shoot over a contest | Murphy stretches the defense | Even |
| PF | Julius Randle can attack a mismatch | Williamson puts more pressure on the rim | New Orleans |
| C | Day’Ron Sharpe can extend possessions | Derik Queen can provide another interior scoring option | Even |
Brooklyn Nets vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Prediction
Spread Pick: New Orleans -4.5
I’ll lay 4.5 because New Orleans has the better route to points in the paint. Its defense is the obvious risk: Porter can keep Brooklyn inside the number if the Pelicans give him repeated open catches. I still expect New Orleans to get more good looks over four quarters.
Total Pick: Over 230.5
This needs Brooklyn to contribute more than it did in Dallas. I think it will against a defense allowing 122.4 points per game, while the Pelicans have a favorable matchup inside. The biggest risk is another long Brooklyn scoring drought. I project New Orleans 122, Brooklyn 113.
Final Picks: New Orleans -4.5 and Over 230.5.
Completed November 10, 2026. Lines and player availability can change before tipoff.