The Detroit Pistons (13-24), 3-point favorites, will be at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to go head-to-head against the Cleveland Cavaliers (10-26) in a Central Division matchup. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 215 points and it will air on Fox Sports – Detroit at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.
Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Odds
Both teams were beaten in their last game. The Pistons (14.5-point underdogs) were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers, 106-99, while the Cavaliers (6-point underdogs) fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 118-103. The Detroit game went 14.5 points under the projected point total of 219.5, while the Cleveland game went 4 points over the projected point total of 217.
Detroit did a terrific job of getting and making free throws (30-35; 85.7 percent) while Cleveland did a terrific job of making free throws (15-19; 78.9 percent). Ante Zizic was a key piece for Cleveland with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Detroit rallied around Andre Drummond, who had 12 points and 18 rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Drummond led the Pistons to a 127-94 victory. He recorded a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds. The two teams combined for 221 points, which was just over the projected point total of 216.5, and Detroit covered as a 3.5-point favorite. Detroit’s 0.638 effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Cleveland, who had a mark of 0.467.
Of the Pistons’ 37 games, 21 have finished over the total. Detroit holds records of 13-24 straight up (SU) and 14-21-2 against the spread (ATS).
Games including the Cavaliers have no tendency in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under. Moreover, Cleveland is 10-26 SU and 14-20-2 ATS.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams face off. Cleveland currently ranks 21st in possessions per game (101.4) and Detroit is 23rd (101.2).
Pistons at Cavaliers Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Pistons, ATS Winner – Pistons, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Pistons are 25th in the league with 15.7 points off turnovers per game while the Cavaliers are last with 13.9 points off turnovers per game.
- Detroit averages 48.3 points in the paint per game, which ranks 11th in the league. Cleveland ranks 29th in points allowed in the paint per game (52.0).
- The Pistons rank 19th in blocks per game (4.7) while the Cavaliers rank last (3.3).
- Detroit averages 7.5 steals per game, which ranks 19th in the league. Cleveland ranks 29th in steals allowed per game (8.8).
- Cleveland ranks 20th in rebounds per game (44.2) while Detroit ranks 27th (42.4).
- The Pistons rank second in three pointers allowed per game (30.4) while the Cavaliers rank 16th (33.7).
- The Pistons average 12.4 fast break points per game, which ranks 17th in the NBA. The Cavaliers rank 26th in fast break points allowed per game (15.2).
- Detroit ranks 14th in assists per game (24.4) while Cleveland ranks 28th (21.1).
- Cleveland is 4-3 when they allow under 100 points, while Detroit is 4-0.
- The Cavaliers are 9-16 when they score over 100 points, while the Pistons are 12-17.
- Detroit is 6-11-2 ATS on the road, while Cleveland is 7-11-1 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 10 of the Pistons’ 19 road games, while 10 of the Cavaliers’ 19 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Detroit and Cleveland have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Pistons are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Cavaliers are 1-4.
- The Pistons’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 12.8, up from 2.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 101.2 points per game (3.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 110.6 points per game (3.0 below their season average).
