The Detroit Pistons (33-40) square off with the Los Angeles Lakers (32-40) at Little Caesars Arena. The game will air on Fox Sports – Detroit at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 26, 2018.
Detroit opened as a 4.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 215.5 points.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons Betting Prediction
The Lakers will be looking for similar success after beating the Memphis Grizzlies in their last matchup, 100-93. Los Angeles’ 0.483 effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Memphis, who had a rate of 0.446. The Lakers’ mark was below their season average of 0.518, while the Grizzlies’ was below their season average of 0.497. Los Angeles was lifted by Kyle Kuzma, who was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points on 9-for-21 shooting.
The last time the Pistons played, they had no trouble getting past the Chicago Bulls, 117-95. The Pistons made 15 of their 18 free throws (83.3 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.586 (above their season average of 0.508). With 15 points and 20 rebounds, Detroit’s Andre Drummond had a solid outing.
Los Angeles could struggle to create turnovers. Detroit ranks ninth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.3 percent), while Los Angeles forces the 20th-most turnovers (13.4 percent). Contrasting tempos will be on display in this contest. The fast-breaking Lakers rank first in possessions per game, while the more methodical Pistons rank 21st.
Los Angeles holds records of 32-40 straight up (SU) and 38-33-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Lakers’ 72 games, 38 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Detroit is 33-40 SU and 34-37-2 ATS. Games featuring the Pistons have a tendency to finish under the projected point total (56.2 percent).
Julius Randle has averaged 23.4 points and 10.8 rebounds over the last five games for Los Angeles.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Larry Nance Jr. recorded 14 points and 12 rebounds in the first matchup, in which the Lakers, who were 3-point underdogs, defeated the Pistons 113-93. The game finished with a total of 206 points, which was just 1.5 points below the projected point total of 207.5 points. The Lakers made 11 of their 14 free throws (78.6 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (26.1 vs. 19.6).
Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons Odds Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Pistons, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Los Angeles is 19-18-1 ATS on the road with 21 overs and 17 unders.
At home, Detroit is 16-19-1 ATS with 18 unders, 17 overs and 1 push.
Detroit is 19-6 when they allow under 100 points, while Los Angeles is 12-4.
The Pistons are 29-17 when they score above 100 points, while the Lakers are 29-26.
Detroit ranks eighth in points allowed in the paint per game (43.1) while Los Angeles ranks last (49.0).
The Pistons rank seventh in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.0) while the Lakers rank 26th (18.5).
Detroit ranks seventh in second chance points allowed per game (11.5) while Los Angeles ranks 26th (13.5).
The Pistons rank second in fast break points allowed per game (9.6) while the Lakers rank 21st (12.8).
Los Angeles averages 23.7 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the league. Detroit ranks 26th in assists allowed per game (24.8).
The Lakers average 46.2 rebounds per game, which ranks second in the NBA. The Pistons rank 19th in rebounds allowed per game (43.8).
Los Angeles ranks 15th in blocks per game (4.8) while Detroit ranks 28th (4.0).
The Lakers average 29.1 three pointers per game, which ranks 16th in the league. The Pistons rank 23rd in three pointers allowed per game (30.5).
Detroit averages 7.7 steals per game, which ranks 18th in the league. Los Angeles ranks 23rd in steals allowed per game (8.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Los Angeles is 1-3-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Detroit is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Lakers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.6, up from 1.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pistons have scored an average of 104.2 points per game (1.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 94.6 points per game (9.1 below their season average).
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