Cavs vs Pistons: Betting odds, preview for rookie showdown

Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers needed to spark an unlikely win on this five-game homestand to hang in the race for sixth in the Eastern Conference, and they got that on Friday night, beating Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in overtime. It was their second overtime win just this week after taking down the LA Clippers on Monday.

Now come two losing teams to finish out the set, starting with the Detroit Pistons tonight. The Pistons have had the Cavs’ number recently, winning their last two meetings. Who is expected to play in their fourth and final meeting of the season, and how should you bet the contest?

The Cavs play the Detroit Pistons Saturday night on a back-to-back. What do you need to know about who is playing and how to bet?

The Pistons come into tonight’s game playing their best basketball of the season. They won six-of-eight, including wins over the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors. They then dropped four straight, but all to strong playoff teams and never being blown out. Playing without Cade Cunningham on Thursday they dropped the Orlando Magic behind 51 points from Saddiq Bey.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons: Odds, spread, over/under

The Cavaliers (40-30) will host the Pistons (19-51) tonight. According to our partners over at WynnBet, Cleveland is favored by 8.0 points. The over/under point total is 215.0. For the season the Cavs and Pistons have gone under that total twice and over once.

The Detroit Pistons are in line to be significantly more rested. They played Thursday night against the Orlando Magic, and No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham sat out his second game with an illness. The Cavs went to overtime on Friday night and have to be back at it again tonight, although at least it’s an 8:00pm tip to give them an extra hour.

Cavs vs Pistons: Projected starting lineups, injury report

Pistons starters: Cory Joseph, Saddiq Bey, Cace Cunningham, Marvin Bagley III, Isaiah Stewart

Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Lamar Stevens, Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley

The Pistons’ key injuries: Cade Cunningham (questionable, illness); Killian Hayes (questionable, head); Hamidou Diallo (out, finger); Frank Jackson (out, back)

The Cavaliers’ key injuries: Collin Sexton (out for season, knee); Jarrett Allen (out, finger); Dean Wade (out, knee); Rajon Rondo (doubtful, ankle)

Cavs vs Pistons: Prediction

The biggest questions for both teams are who will suit up tonight? Cunningham has missed two games due to illness; is he ready to go? If so, the Pistons become significantly more dangerous. On the Cavs’ side, will head coach J.B. Bickerstaff sit anyone after the extended minutes on Friday? The Cavs can seemingly not afford to, but it’s a big ask for players to make that turnaround right after an overtime game.

Evan Mobley is the headliner either way, as he has been stepping up in a big way for the Cavs in the absence of the injured Jarrett Allen. Mobley had 27 points, 11 rebounds and the game-sealing overtime dunk last night. Whether or not he is facing Cunningham on the other side he will be the popular player to watch.

The other thing to watch is the blossoming pairing of Lauri Markkanen and Darius Garland. The two were cooking against the Nuggets, with Garland dropping 25 points, 14 assists and a game-high +25 number and Markkanen going for 31 points, 10 rebounds and four steals.

If that trio is cooking the Pistons will need another 50 points from Bey. They have some intriguing young talent, but even as a rookie Cade Cunningham makes things work on offense. Without him they aren’t the same. Let’s assume he plays here, and plays well; it’s still a Cavs win, but it’s a closer one.

Prediction: Cleveland 111, Detroit 108

The Bet: Detroit (+8.0), OVER

Cavs vs Pistons: Where to Watch

It should surprise no one that a game between two teams expected to be bad all season wasn’t planned for national television, especially during the NCAA Tournament’s opening weekend. Therefore the game will be carried by the local Bally Sports affiliates: Ohio and Detroit. Other fans can tune in on NBA League Pass.

Cleveland Cavaliers Upcoming Schedule

The Los Angeles Lakers and some guy named LeBron James come to town on Monday night, and as usual there should be some solid amount of fanfare at his annual return. Given the Lakers’ struggles, it will be momentous if Cleveland wins and predictably demoralizing if they lose given their goals for the postseason.

After that it is the single most important game on the schedule for Cleveland: a Thursday night showdown in Toronto against the Raptors, winner gets (the tiebreaker for) the sixth seed. It’s possible the Cavs float significantly up or down the standings over the last few weeks, but it’s increasingly likely it’s Toronto vs Cleveland for sixth and a secured spot in the playoff field proper.