Detroit Pistons (12-17) vs. LA Lakers (16-12)
December 23, 2024 10:30 pm EDT
The Line: LA Lakers -5.5; Over/Under: +226
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Detroit Pistons at the crypto.com Arena on Monday night. Here’s a LA Lakers vs Detroit Pistons Prediction. This article will include an LA Lakers vs Detroit Pistons Pick.
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons have been in decent form lately as they’ve won three of their past five games and they will be looking to stay hot after running past the Suns in a 133-125 road win on Saturday. Cade Cunningham led the team with 28 points and 13 assists, Jaden Ivey added 20 points with eight assists, Malik Beasley scored 18 points off the bench, while Jalen Duren chipped in with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
As a team, the Pistons shot 55 percent from the field and 19 of 39 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 41 points in the first quarter to storm out to the lead and they just kept their foot on the gas right till the end to come away with the solid road victory.
Los Angeles Lakers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been heating up recently as they’ve won four of their last five games overall and they will be gunning for a fourth straight win after sneaking past the Kings in a 103-99 road win on Saturday. LeBron James led the team with 32 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals, D’Angelo Russell added 20 points with five assists off the bench while Austin Reaves chipped in with 16 points and five assists.
As a team, the Lakers shot 48 percent from the field and nine of 35 from the 3-point line, but this win was more about their defense as they kept the Kings in check for the entire game to escape with the narrow win despite never leading by more than 10 points. The Lakers will play against the Warriors following this one.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won each of their last 11 home games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pistons have lost each of their last 10 games at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 games after winning as underdogs.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in five of their last six home games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Pistons’ last eight road games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Lakers’ last five games has gone UNDER the total points line.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Anthony Davis ranks 2nd in the league for points in the paint (418) this season.
- LeBron James ranks 1st amongst qualified Forwards for assists per game (8.9) this season.
Detroit Pistons Player Facts
- Cade Cunningham ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for assists per game (9.7) this season.
- Jalen Duren ranks 11th amongst qualified players for rebounds per 36 minutes (13.4) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Lakers rank 2nd in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (24.2).
- The Lakers rank T2nd in the league for Q2 win percentage this season (64.3%).
- The Pistons rank 30th in the league for steals per game this season (6.8).
- The Pistons rank 29th in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (38.0%).
LA Lakers vs Detroit Pistons Prediction
The Pistons are still missing Isaiah Stewart while the Lakers are keeping an eye on Anthony Davis and LeBron James who are both questionable. The Pistons have been one of the more inconsistent teams this season, but they looked great in their win over the Spurs on Saturday and they will like their chances if the Lakers are missing their two best players. Be sure to check the lineups before tipoff, but I like the Pistons to keep this one close if the Lakers’ Davis isn’t able to suit up.
