The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons meet Thursday in NBA Game 2 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 even up the series. The Cavs have won 9 of their last 14 games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 110.5 points on 46.6 percent shooting and allowing 110.3 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 23.1 points and 2.9 assists, while James Harden is averaging 20.8 points and 6.3 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer, and Max Strus is grabbing 5.1 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 34.4 percent from beyond the arc and 74 percent from the free-throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 35.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.3 rebounds per game.
Detroit Pistons Betting Preview
The Detroit Pistons look for a fifth straight home win to take a 2-0 series lead. The Pistons have won 19 of their last 26 games.
The Detroit Pistons are averaging 103.5 points on 44 percent shooting and allowing 98.1 points on 40.4 percent shooting. Cade Cunningham is averaging 31.3 points and 5.4 rebounds, while Tobias Harris is averaging 21.4 points and 1.3 assists. Duncan Robinson is the third double-digit scorer and Jalen Duren is dishing 2.4 assists. The Detroit Pistons are shooting 33.3 percent from beyond the arc and 75.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Detroit Pistons are allowing 33.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 46.8 rebounds per game.
Why the Detroit Pistons will win
- The home team has won each of the Cavaliers’ last 11 games.
- The Cavaliers have lost each of their last nine road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The home team has covered the spread in 10 of the Cavaliers’ last 11 games.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Pistons have lost 16 of their last 17 playoff games against Central Division opponents.
- The Cavaliers have won 12 of their last 13 playoff games against the Pistons.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as home favorites following a home win.
Total Points: Facts
- Six of the Pistons’ last seven games as home favorites following a home win have gone OVER the total points line.
- Four of the Cavaliers’ last five games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER 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 74 games with 4+ assists this season—most of any player in the league.
- Dean Wade ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.5) this season.
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 doubtful for the Pistons due to an adductor strain.
Sam Merrill is questionable for the Cavaliers with a hamstring strain.
Pistons vs Cavaliers Prediction
I still think the Cavs are the more talented team capable of winning this game and series, so the points are appealing. However, the Cavaliers have yet to win a road game in these playoffs and they’ve been too sloppy. The Cavs are a turnover machine on the road and it’s costing them games. This pressure defense from the Pistons doesn’t help, and they’ve played their best ball at home.
It’s to the point where I need to see the Cavs put something together on the road before I can trust them. The line is reasonable and the Cavs are 36-53-1 ATS on the season. I’ll lay the small bet with the Pistons.