The Detroit Pistons (22-22) clash against the Brooklyn Nets (17-29) at Little Caesars Arena. The game starts at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 21, 2018, and will air on YES Network.
Detroit opened as a 6-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 207.5 points.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Detroit Pistons Betting Prediction
In the Nets’ last outing, they beat the Miami Heat, 101-95. One of Brooklyn’s largest advantages was getting to the charity stripe. They made 26 trips to the line, while Miami went 25 times. With 26 points on 9-for-12 shooting, DeMarre Carroll was the game’s leading scorer.
The Pistons lost to the Washington Wizards in their last matchup, 122-112. Washington’s 12.2 turnover percentage was their largest strength over Detroit, who had a rate of 13.3. The Wizards’ mark was better than their season average of 12.4. With 14 points, 21 rebounds and eight assists, Andre Drummond put together a good performance for Detroit.
Brooklyn could struggle to create turnovers. Detroit ranks ninth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.7 percent), while Brooklyn forces the fewest turnovers (12.3 percent). This contest should be a showdown of contrasting tempos. The fast-paced Nets rank third in possessions per game, while the more methodical Pistons rank 23rd.
Although Brooklyn has difficulty winning games straight up (17-29 SU), they have a phenomenal 28-17-1 record against the spread (ATS). Games involving the Nets have finished under the total 54.3 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Detroit owns records of 22-22 SU and 24-18-2 ATS. Of the Pistons’ 44 games, 25 have finished under the projected point total.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Carroll (13.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals) has been fantastic for the Nets while Drummond (17.4 points, 15.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.6 steals and 1.4 blocks) has made solid contributions to the Pistons.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Drummond scored a game-high 22 points and the Pistons beat the Nets 114-80, covering as 2-point favorites. He also had 20 rebounds and five assists. The game finished with a total of 194 points, which was 11.5 points below the projected point total of 205.5 points. The Pistons had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.0 vs. 4.4) and had a much better turnover percentage (11.7 vs. 17.4).
Brooklyn Nets at Detroit Pistons Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Nets, ATS Winner – Nets, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Brooklyn is 15-8 ATS on the road with 12 unders and 11 overs.
Detroit is 10-9-1 ATS at home with 10 overs and 10 unders.
Brooklyn is 11-1 when they allow below 100 points, while Detroit is 12-5.
The Pistons are 19-9 when they reach 100 points, while the Nets are 13-20.
Brooklyn ranks eighth in assists allowed per game (21.4) while Detroit ranks 26th (24.4).
The Pistons rank 13th in steals per game (7.9) while the Nets rank last (6.4).
Detroit ranks fifth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.8) while Brooklyn ranks 21st (17.5).
The Nets rank fourth in rebounds per game (45.6) while the Pistons rank 20th (41.9).
Brooklyn ranks second in three pointers attempted per game (34.1) while Detroit ranks 17th (28.3).
The Pistons rank third in second chance points allowed per game (10.5) while the Nets rank 17th (12.6).
Detroit ranks second in fast break points allowed per game (8.5) while Brooklyn ranks 11th (10.8).
The Nets rank 23rd in blocks per game (4.1) while the Pistons rank 28th (3.5).
Detroit ranks 17th in points in the paint per game (43.0) while Brooklyn ranks 20th in points allowed in the paint per game (45.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Brooklyn is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Detroit is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Nets’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.0, down from 3.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pistons have scored an average of 105.8 points per game (3.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 104.6 points per game (2.4 above their season average).
