The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons meet Wednesday in NBA Game 5 at the Little Caesars Arena. Here’s a Pistons vs. Cavaliers Prediction. This article will include a Pistons vs. Cavaliers Pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers look for their first road playoff win to take a 3-2 series lead. The Cavs have won 11 of their last 17 games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 109.9 points on 46.9 percent shooting and allowing 109.2 points on 46.7 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 26.7 points and 2.9 assists, while James Harden is averaging 19.9 points and 6.5 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer, and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 7 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 33.7 percent from beyond the arc and 75.4 percent from the free-throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 37.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.5 rebounds per game.
Detroit Pistons Betting Preview
The Detroit Pistons look for their sixth straight home win to take a 3-2 series lead. The Pistons have won 20 of their last 29 games.
The Detroit Pistons are averaging 104.3 points on 45.1 percent shooting and allowing 100.9 points on 42.3 percent shooting. Cade Cunningham is averaging 29.2 points and 5.4 rebounds, while Tobias Harris is averaging 20.8 points and 1.4 assists. Duncan Robinson is the third double-digit scorer and Jalen Duren is dishing 2.1 assists. The Detroit Pistons are shooting 35.8 percent from beyond the arc and 76.2 percent from the free-throw line. The Detroit Pistons are allowing 32.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.6 rebounds per game.
Why the Detroit Pistons will win
- The home team has won each of the Cavaliers’ last 14 games.
- The Cavaliers have lost each of their last 10 road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 10 road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The home team has covered the spread in 13 of the Cavaliers’ last 14 games.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Pistons have lost each of their last 14 playoff games against Central Division opponents following a loss.
- The Cavaliers have won 14 of their last 16 playoff games against the Pistons.
- The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as favorites against Central Division opponents following a loss.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in 14 of their last 18 games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Six of the Cavaliers’ last seven games as underdogs following a home win have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of the Pistons’ last six games as favorites following a road loss have gone OVER the total points line.
Detroit Pistons Player Facts
- Ausar Thompson ranks 1st amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.0) this season.
- Jalen Duren has recorded the most field goal attempts without a three-point attempt (803) of any player in the league this season.
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts
- James Harden has recorded 76 games with 4+ assists this season—most of any player in the league.
- Donovan Mitchell has scored 25+ points in three consecutive appearances—the equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pistons rank 1st in the league for opponent assists per game this season (23.5).
- The Pistons rank 1st in the league for steals per game this season (10.4).
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for Q4 points per game this season (30.0).
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for H2 points per game this season (61.2).
Pistons vs Cavaliers Injury Report
Kevin Huerter is questionable for the Pistons due to an adductor strain. Caris LeVert is questionable with a heel contusion. Duncan Robinson is questionable with back soreness.
The Cavs don’t have any players listed on their injury report.
Pistons vs Cavaliers Prediction
I really considered the Cavaliers and the points because I still believe they’re the more talented team, capable of winning this series. I also don’t like seeing LeVert and Robinson on the injury report. However, the Cavs have yet to win a road playoff game and are still a league’s worst 38-54-1 ATS on the season. While the talent is there to change the narrative, the Cavaliers have to prove it at some point. The home/road splits don’t lie and the Cavs simply haven’t made anybody money this season long-term. Until that changes, I have to fade the Cavaliers on the road. Give me the Pistons.