The Detroit Pistons (29-31), 5.5-point favorites, will be at Quicken Loans Arena to meet the Cleveland Cavaliers (15-47) in a Central Division matchup. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 216.5 points and it will air on Fox Sports – Ohio at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 2, 2019.
Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ATS Odds
The Cavaliers will look to maintain momentum after beating the New York Knicks in their last contest, 125-118, as 1.5-point underdogs. The Pistons, on the other hand, were topped by the San Antonio Spurs, 105-93, and were unable to cover as 4.5-point underdogs. The Cleveland game finished 22 points over the projected point total of 221, while the Detroit game finished 22 points under the projected point total of 220.
The Cavaliers made 29 of their 36 free throws (80.6 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.600 (above their season average of 0.498). Detroit, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 4.6 (better than their season average of 12.2). Kevin Love played a key role for Cleveland with 26 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Detroit was lifted by Andre Drummond, who finished with 10 points and 17 rebounds.
In their two contests this year, the Pistons have won both. The two teams combined to score 215 points in their most recent game, which was just over the projected point total of 213.5. Detroit won 113-102, covering as a 10-point favorite. Detroit had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (34.2 vs. 22.9). Cleveland, meanwhile, did a terrific job of making free throws (24-34; 70.6 percent). Drummond recorded a double-double with 23 points and 16 rebounds.
Games including the Pistons have gone under the total 53.3 percent of the time. Detroit holds records of 29-31 straight up (SU) and 28-31-1 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Detroit, a little over half of Cavaliers games have finished over the total. Additionally, Cleveland owns records of 15-47 SU and 28-33-1 ATS.
The Pistons’ Reggie Jackson has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 19 points,4.8 assists per game. Meanwhile, Cedi Osman has averaged 16 points,3.2 assists during that same time frame for the Cavaliers.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams face off. Cleveland ranks 29th in possessions per game (98.5) and Detroit is 22nd (101.3).
Pistons vs. Cavaliers Odds Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Pistons, ATS Winner – Pistons, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Pistons rank 23rd in blocks allowed per game (5.5) while the Cavaliers rank 26th (5.6).
- Detroit ranks seventh in three pointers attempted per game (34.6) while Cleveland ranks 25th (28.0).
- The Pistons rank second in second chance points allowed per game (11.1) while the Cavaliers rank 10th (12.7).
- Detroit ranks 22nd in points in the paint per game (45.9) while Cleveland ranks 26th (43.9).
- Detroit ranks 23rd in steals per game (6.9) while Cleveland ranks 26th (6.6).
- The Pistons rank 15th in rebounds per game (45.3) while the Cavaliers rank 25th (43.0).
- The Cavaliers are 26th in the league with 10.2 fast break points per game while the Pistons are last with 9.3 fast break points per game.
- Detroit ranks 26th in assists per game (22.3) while Cleveland ranks 28th (21.0).
- Detroit ranks 21st in points off turnovers per game (15.5) while Cleveland ranks last (14.0).
- In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Detroit is 9-2 and Cleveland is 5-3.
- When reaching 100 points, the Cavaliers are 13-23 and the Pistons are 26-20.
- Detroit is 14-15 ATS on the road, while Cleveland is 14-18 ATS at home.
- The Pistons have 17 unders, 11 overs and 1 push in 29 road games.
- The Cavaliers have 19 overs and 13 unders in 32 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Detroit and Cleveland have both had 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Cavaliers are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Pistons are 2-3.
- During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 119.4 points per game (15.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 118.8 points per game (5.4 above their season average).
- The Pistons have outscored opponents by an average of 2.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Detroit has lost by an average of 1.1 points.
