Cavaliers vs Pistons 2020 NBA Lines, Analysis & Prediction

Cavaliers vs Pistons 2020 NBA Lines, Analysis & Prediction

Written by on January 9, 2020

Andre Drummond and the Detroit Pistons will look to complete the sweep over Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the back end of a home-and-home series between the longtime Central Division rivals. With the Pistons looking to improve their long-shot playoff hopes and the mostly young Cavs looking for revenge, let’s find out which team is offering the best value against their NBA odds.

Cavaliers vs Pistons 2020 NBA Lines, Analysis & Prediction

Why Bet On Cleveland?

While the Cavs have dropped five straight, there are some good reasons to back them to cover the spread in this back end of a home-and-home rivalry. Cleveland put up a fantastic effort in their 115-113 home loss against the Piston on Tuesday night while snapping a four-game ATS by covering the chalk as a 3.5-point underdog.

The Cavs have also won four of their last 10 games and they possess some impressive young talent, starting with guards Collin Sexton (18.5 ppg) and Darius Garland (11.8 ppg). The Cavs also rank a stellar sixth in defensive rebounding and Detroit is just 9-9 at home this season.

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 104.62
  • Field Goals: 44.87%
  • Three Points: 34.44%
  • Free Throws: 76.31%
  • Rebounds: 44.30
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 113.59
  • Field Goals: 48.40%
  • Three Points: 37.69%
  • Free Throws: 76.96%
  • Rebounds: 43.41

Why Bet On Detroit?

The Pistons will be giving up a few more points than they did in Tuesday night’s super narrow road win over the Cavaliers, but there are plenty of good reasons to believe Detroit will still cover the chalk.

The Pistons have won two of their last three games after dropping six of their previous seven. Detroit has scored 111 points or more in both of their most recent wins and dominated Cleveland at both ends of the floor in the final quarter of their 115-113 win on Tuesday night.

Last, but not least, the Pistons are the better statistical team at both ends of the floor and Cleveland has gone a dismal 4-13 on the road this season.

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 108.37
  • Field Goals: 46.34%
  • Three Points: 37.37%
  • Free Throws: 74.66%
  • Rebounds: 42.34
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 111.08
  • Field Goals: 47.39%
  • Three Points: 37.69%
  • Free Throws: 77.43%
  • Rebounds: 43.29

NBA Betting Trends for Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons

  • Cavaliers are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games
  • Cavaliers are 0-5 SU in the last 5 games
  • The total went OVER in 4 of Cleveland’s last 5 games
  • Pistons are 3-9 ATS in the last 12 games
  • Pistons are 3-9 SU in the last 12 games
  • The total went OVER in 7 of Detroit’s last 9 games

Cavaliers vs Pistons Expert Analysis and Prediction

Cleveland has some impressive young talent, but it’s clearly going to take their young players a while to find their way in the NBA. While the Cavs still have a bit of modest star power in veteran forward Kevin Love, I don’t believe they’re going to be able to keep Andre Drummond in check or off the glass in this matchup. More importantly, veteran  point guard and former league MVP Derrick Rose is playing some lights out basketball this season as he challenges for the Sixth Man of the Year award by putting up a team-high 17.5 points per contest.

While I’m going with the Pistons to take care of business at home in this affair, I am going to back the young Cavs to cover the chalk as a 7-point road dog. The Pistons have gone an uninspiring 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up win and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games while Cleveland has gone 5-2 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. I think the Cavs’ narrow loss to the Pistons on Tuesday night will fuel their belief that they can indeed, beat Detroit on the road. The Pistons win, but the Cavs cover.

Pick: Detroit 109 Cleveland 103