The Detroit Pistons (29-34) will attempt to snap their eight-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-26) at Quicken Loans Arena. The game can be seen on NBATV at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 5, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 218.5 points with Cleveland set as a 7-point favorite.
Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers ATS Prediction
The Pistons are trying to rebound after their 105-96 loss to the Miami Heat in their last game. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Miami’s largest strengths. They had 28 free throw attempts, while Detroit had 21. Detroit’s Andre Drummond put together a solid performance, finishing with 22 points and 18 rebounds.
In the Cavaliers’ last matchup, they were beaten by the Denver Nuggets, 126-117. Denver’s 0.657 effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Cleveland, who had a mark of 0.574. The Nuggets’ mark was above their season average of 0.532. Despite the loss, Cleveland’s LeBron James collected 25 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds. This gave him his 12th triple-double this year.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Cleveland figures to have a significant advantage. The sweet-shooting Cavaliers offense ranks third in the NBA in that metric at 0.545, while the porous Detroit defense is ranked 21st in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.529). Also, the Pistons, who rank 28th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.170), will go head-to-head against the Cavaliers, who rank first in opponents’ FTA rate (0.166).
Detroit holds records of 29-34 straight up (SU) and 27-34-2 against the spread (ATS). Pistons games have a slight tendency to go under the total (54.0 percent).
Meanwhile, Cleveland is 36-26 SU and 19-42-1 ATS. In opposition of Detroit, Cavaliers games have a slight tendency to finish over the total (51.6 percent).
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Reggie Bullock (15.6 points) has been great for the Pistons while James (28.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 9.4 assists and 1.2 steals) has made solid contributions to the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers lead the season series against the Pistons two games to one, but dropped their most recent game, 125-114. Cleveland covered as a 5.5-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 239 points, which was 20 points above the projected point total of 219 points. The Pistons had a better turnover percentage (8.7 vs. 13.3) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (19.0 vs. 15.2). Drummond put up a double-double in the victory with 21 points and 22 rebounds.
Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Pistons, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Detroit is 14-15-1 ATS on the road with 17 unders, 12 overs and 1 push.
Cleveland is 6-25-1 ATS at home with 16 overs, 15 unders and 1 push.
Cleveland is 13-2 when they allow under 100 points, while Detroit is 15-6.
The Pistons are 26-15 when they score above 100 points, while the Cavaliers are 35-14.
Cleveland averages 23.5 assists per game, which ranks 10th in the league. Detroit ranks 27th in assists allowed per game (24.8).
The Cavaliers rank third in blocks allowed per game (4.1) while the Pistons rank 19th (5.0).
Cleveland ranks fourth in three pointers attempted per game (32.6) while Detroit ranks 20th in three pointers allowed per game (29.9).
The Pistons rank 12th in points in the paint per game (44.6) while the Cavaliers rank 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (46.5).
Detroit ranks fourth in second chance points allowed per game (11.0) while Cleveland ranks 14th (12.4).
The Pistons rank second in fast break points allowed per game (9.2) while the Cavaliers rank 12th (11.4).
Detroit ranks fifth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.9) while Cleveland ranks 14th (16.6).
The Pistons rank 17th in steals per game (7.6) while the Cavaliers rank 25th (7.0).
Detroit ranks 18th in rebounds per game (43.2) while Cleveland ranks 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (44.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Detroit is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Cleveland is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Pistons’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.0, up from 0.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 109.8 points per game (0.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 111.2 points per game (1.1 above their season average).
