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Toronto Raptors at Detroit Pistons Betting Preview 03/07/18

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Raptors (46-17) put their five-game winning streak on the line when they take on the Detroit Pistons (29-35) at Little Caesars Arena. The game will air on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.

Toronto is a 5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 213 points.

Toronto Raptors vs. Detroit Pistons Betting Prediction

The Raptors will be looking for similar success after defeating the Atlanta Hawks in their last game, 106-90. The Raptors forced 21 turnovers and had a free throw rate of 0.318 (above their season average of 0.205). With 25 points on 6-for-12 shooting, DeMar DeRozan was the top scorer from either team.

In the Pistons’ last game, they lost big to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 112-90. Cleveland’s 25.6 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over Detroit, who had a mark of 16.0. The Cavaliers’ mark was above their season average of 19.8, while the Pistons’ was below their season average of 23.2. Blake Griffin had a good game for Detroit, leading the team in scoring with 25 points on 10-for-22 shooting.

Detroit might have difficulty finding the bottom of the net as they clash against one of the league’s best defenses. Toronto currently ranks third in defensive efficiency while the Pistons rank 22nd in offensive efficiency.

Toronto heads into the contest with records of 46-17 straight up (SU) and 35-27 against the spread (ATS). Of the Raptors’ 62 games that accepted bets, 32 have finished over the O/U total.

Meanwhile, Detroit is 29-35 SU and 27-35-2 ATS. Contrary to Toronto, just over half of Pistons games have finished under the total.

The Raptors have won both contests against the Pistons this season, including a decisive 123-94 victory in their last matchup. Toronto covered as a 10-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 217 points, which was just 0.5 points above the projected point total of 216.5 points. Toronto did an excellent job of converting from the charity stripe (22-23; 95.7 percent). Detroit, on the other hand, had a much better turnover percentage (11.2 vs. 16.6). In the loss, Andre Drummond had a double-double with 18 points and 18 rebounds.

Toronto Raptors at Detroit Pistons Odds Pick

Free Prediction: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under

Notes

Betting Notes:

On the road, Toronto is 18-13 ATS with 17 overs and 14 unders.

Detroit is 13-19-1 ATS at home with 17 unders, 15 overs and 1 push.

Detroit is 15-6 when they allow under 100 points, while Toronto is 23-5.

In games where they score above 100 points, the Raptors are 43-10 and the Pistons are 26-15.

Toronto ranks second in blocks per game (6.1) while Detroit ranks 28th (3.6).

The Pistons rank fourth in second chance points allowed per game (11.1) while the Raptors rank 25th (13.3).

Toronto averages 23.7 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. Detroit ranks 27th in assists allowed per game (24.8).

The Raptors rank second in three pointers allowed per game (25.0) while the Pistons rank 20th (30.0).

Detroit ranks second in fast break points allowed per game (9.3) while Toronto ranks 15th (11.7).

The Raptors rank third in points off turnovers per game (18.4) while the Pistons rank 11th (16.9).

Toronto ranks third in steals allowed per game (7.0) while Detroit ranks sixth (7.3).

The Pistons rank 14th in points in the paint per game (44.3) while the Raptors rank 17th in points allowed in the paint per game (44.9).

Toronto ranks 16th in rebounds per game (43.5) while Detroit ranks 18th in rebounds allowed per game (43.4).

Bettings Trends:

In their last five games, Toronto is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.

Detroit is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.

The Raptors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.0, up from 8.7 for the season.

During their last five games, the Pistons have scored an average of 99.2 points per game (3.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 108.4 points per game (4.3 above their season average).

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Written by GMS Previews

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