The Detroit Pistons have got off to a hot start to the 2018-19 season as they look to go 4-0 on the year for the first time since 2008-09 when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Sportsbook Arena. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers haven’t picked up a win on the season and are an 8-point underdog. The two teams have had an average combined score of 218.8 over their last five meetings and tonight’s total opened at 221.5 points.
- The Pistons are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games at home.
- The Pistons are 10-1 SU and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as favorite.
- The total has gone OVER in the Cavaliers’ last four games on the road (avg. combined score: 234.25).
Cavaliers vs Pistons Game Center
Detroit taking advantage of opponents’ sloppy play
The Pistons have edged out their opponents in each of their first three games, with an average winning margin of two, thanks in large part to clutch shooting. As a team, they are only shooting 43.5 percent from the floor, which ranks 23rd in the league, but they are hitting 37.1 percent of their three-point attempts, which ranks 12th. As is the way with teams coached by Dwane Casey, Detroit capitalizes on turnovers and does a great job protecting the ball.
The Pistons are averaging the second-fewest turnovers per game at 11.7 while creating 13 turnovers per game to rank 20th in the league. Although they don’t cause that many turnovers, they make the most of their opportunities, averaging 16.7 points per game off of opponent mistakes, which ranks 15th in the league. This could be an area that Detroit can exploit in tonight’s game as Cleveland averages 15.8 turnovers per game, 22nd in the NBA, and allows 18.8 points off of turnovers per game, which is 24th in the Association.
Cleveland struggling defensively
The Cavaliers, playing the second of back-to-back games, are having a hard time slowing down their opponents and are off to a 0-4 start. Cleveland has the worst point differential in the league at -14.5, surrendering 120.5 points per game, which is the fifth-most in the NBA, while scoring just 106 ppg, the sixth-fewest in the league. The biggest bright spot for the team is its rebounding and work in limiting its opponents’ second chances.
The Cavs have the sixth-best rebound differential at +5.7 and hold opponents to just 11.8 points on second opportunities, the eighth-fewest in the league. One area they may be able to gain an advantage over the Pistons is scoring down low as Detroit gives up the fifth-most points per game in the paint, allowing an average of 56.7 ppg. However, Cleveland scores the eighth-fewest points per game under the net at just 44.0 ppg.
OVER trending in tonight’s game
Cleveland and Detroit have had an average combined score of 218.8 over their last five meetings and Sportsbook has tonight’s total Sportsbook at 221.5 points. The Cavaliers have gone OVER in each of their last four road games with an average combined score of 234.25, while the Pistons have gone OVER in five of their last eight home games with an average combined score of 217.63. Lastly, the Cavs are allowing the fifth-most points per game in the league at 120.5 while the Pistons have scored the sixth-most points per game in the NBA at 118.
My take on Cleveland vs Detroit
I like the Pistons to cover the 8-point spread tonight. I think Detroit’s offense is too much for Cleveland’s struggling defense. Additionally, the Pistons’ ability to capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes could be the difference that will turn this game into a lopsided blowout. Meanwhile, Kevin Love will not play of Cleveland tonight which hurts its chances big time as he was likely going to cover Blake Griffin. Lastly, the Cavaliers haven’t had a sniff of a potential victory yet this season and have an average losing margin of 14.5, losing by eight or more points in each game this year.
