Cavaliers vs. Pistons Pick
Are the host Detroit Pistons going to win tonight over the Cleveland Cavaliers, one day after making a blockbuster trade? Tip-off is at 8PM ET.
Who Oddsmakers Like: Cleveland. According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Cavaliers are a 6-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 218.5 points. The spread opened with Cleveland as a 2-point fave before climbing, while the over-under has remained steady.
Who the Public Likes: Cleveland. As of Tuesday morning, 76 percent of public bets have been placed on the visiting Cavaliers.
Injury Report: Cavaliers guard Dwyane Wade has missed the last two games as he tended to a personal issue, but he is expected back in the lineup tonight. For the Pistons, Reggie Jackson is out until late February with an ankle injury. Jon Leuer is out for the season after undergoing ankle surgery.
Who the Trends Like: The under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Detroit. Cleveland is 0-8 ATS in its last eight road games versus teams with a winning home record. Detroit is 0-5 ATS in its last five home games.
Who We Like: Detroit made huge news Monday evening as it traded for star Blake Griffin. The Pistons also receive center Willie Reed and forward Brice Johnson in the deal with the Clippers. Going to LA are Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjonovic, a lightly protected first round pick and a second rounder. None of the three players headed to Detroit will be available for tonight’s game, instead making their Pistons debut Thursday against the Grizzlies. The biggest two reasons Detroit made the trade both are due to desperation – because of its current eight-game losing streak and the inability to fill brand-new Little Caesars Arena. Griffin’s star power will help on both fronts, although the Pistons are still a deeply flawed team. And Griffin won’t do any helping out of the lineup tonight. Even though they are having their own struggles, I have to take the Cavs here.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: CLEVELAND CAVALIERS -6
