A key NBA cross-conference game is set for Saturday, February 21, 2026, when the Philadelphia 76ers visit the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. For Philly, this matchup is about momentum and stability. They entered the night trying to end a three-game losing streak, and they also needed a clean road performance to stay strong in the East playoff race. For New Orleans, it is another test in a tough season, where wins have been rare and injuries have made it even harder to build consistency.
This matchup is interesting because the teams are coming in from different places. The 76ers have the better record and the stronger two-way profile, but they have also had recent patchy stretches. The Pelicans are near the bottom of the West, yet they can still make games uncomfortable at home, especially if they control the paint and keep pace in scoring. The betting market kept the line close, and the total stayed high, which signals a game that could feature long scoring runs from both sides.
Match Details
| Match | Philadelphia 76ers vs New Orleans Pelicans |
|---|---|
| Date | February 21, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM ET (5:30 AM IST, Feb 22) |
| Venue | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans |
| TV & Streaming | Gulf Coast Sports, Pelicans+, NBCS-PH (and streaming via League Pass where available) |
Current Standings (Updated)
| Team | Record | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia 76ers | 30–25 (pre-game) / 31–25 (post-game update) | 6th (East) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 15–42 (pre-game) / 15–43 (post-game update) | 14th (West) |
Philadelphia’s win pushes them back into a steadier spot in the top-six conversation, while New Orleans remains in the West bottom tier.
Last Games & Recent Form
Philadelphia came into this matchup on a three-game losing skid, which is why the urgency level was high. Their biggest focus was keeping the offense steady for all four quarters and avoiding sloppy stretches that have cost them recently.
New Orleans has struggled all season, but at home they have still shown moments where they can score quickly and stay close. The issue has been defense and injuries, which often hurt them late in games.
Head-to-Head (H2H)
| Category | Trend |
|---|---|
| This season | 76ers lead 1–0 |
| Recent matchup note | 76ers have had the edge in the latest meeting |
| ATS note | 76ers have also covered vs Pelicans in the latest head-to-head |
The recent head-to-head trend leans Philadelphia, but totals have remained attractive because New Orleans games often become high-scoring due to their defense.
Team Stats Snapshot (Season)
| Category | 76ers | Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Points Scored | 116.0 PPG | 114.6 PPG |
| Points Allowed | 115.9 PPG | 120.7 PPG |
| Assists | 24.6 | 25.0 |
| Steals | 9.1 | 8.8 |
| Blocks | 5.8 | 4.7 |
The simplest picture: Philly is more balanced, while New Orleans allows too many points, which is why overs and close spreads show up often.
Key Players to Watch
Philadelphia 76ers
Tyrese Maxey is the clear engine. When Philly needs scoring, speed, and late shot creation, Maxey is the first option, and his two-way impact (steals) also matters in transition. Joel Embiid’s name is huge on the card, but availability becomes the key storyline (see injury section).
Other important support comes from the role group that helps with spacing, rebounding, and defense. If that support hits open shots, Philly usually separates.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans still have real scoring punch through Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III (when available), plus support pieces who can create offense in different ways. Their main problem has been keeping stops consistently and avoiding giving up big runs.
Injury Report (Updated)
Philadelphia 76ers
| Player | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Joel Embiid | OUT | Knee/shin management (recovery ongoing) |
| Paul George | OUT | League suspension (as listed) |
New Orleans Pelicans
| Player | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dejounte Murray | OUT (Season) | Achilles tear |
| Trey Murphy III | OUT | Shoulder contusion (as listed) |
| Yves Missi | OUT | Calf soreness |
| Micah Peavy | OUT | Toe sprain |
Embiid being out changes how Philly scores inside, but it also speeds up the game at times because Maxey becomes even more aggressive. For New Orleans, missing key rotation names hurts depth and makes late-game execution harder.
Odds & Betting Lines
| Market | Line Range (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Spread | 76ers -3.5 |
| Moneyline | 76ers around -165 / Pelicans around +135 to +138 |
| Total | 230.5 to 232.5 |
The spread stays modest because Philly is on the road and missing a major star, but they still grade out as the more reliable side.
Best Picks & Prediction
Main Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers to Win
Philadelphia are the better overall team, and even without Embiid they have the cleaner path: steady guard scoring, better defensive playmaking, and more control in key moments.
Score Prediction: 76ers 118–115 (high-scoring range)
Best Picks
- 76ers Moneyline (safer than spread if you expect a close finish)
- Over 230.5 / 231.5 (both teams allow points, and the matchup supports a higher total)
Props to Watch
- Tyrese Maxey Over points (high usage, primary creator)
- Zion Williamson Over points (paint volume stays strong even in losses)
- Trey Murphy III Over only if he is active, but in this setup he was listed OUT, so avoid pre-game overs tied to him.
This matchup sets up as a high-total road spot where Philadelphia still has enough to win, mainly because they can create offense through Maxey and force extra possessions with defense plays like steals and blocks. New Orleans can keep it close with paint scoring and home energy, but their defense and injury list make it difficult to finish strong. If Philly plays with urgency early, they should control the game, even if the final score stays tight.
