The Cleveland Cavaliers (2-12) will try to end their seven-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Detroit Pistons (7-6) at Little Caesars Arena. The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Ohio at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, November 19, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 211.5 points with Detroit opening as a 10-point favorite.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons ATS Prediction
The Cavaliers are hoping to rebound after failing to cover as 12.5-point underdogs in their 119-95 loss to the Washington Wizards in their last game. The total points for the game (214) were just under the O/U total of 215.5. Washington’s 14.8 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Cleveland, who had a mark of 20.2. The Wizards’ mark was worse than their season average of 12.6, while the Cavaliers’ was above their season average of 13.4. Collin Sexton was the top scorer from either team with 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting.
In the Pistons’ last matchup, they barely escaped the Toronto Raptors, 106-104, despite being 9.5-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (210) were under the projected point total of 221.5. Detroit’s 14.9 turnover percentage was their largest strength over Toronto, who had a rate of 16.7. The Pistons’ mark was worse than their season average of 11.8, while the Raptors’ was above their season average of 11.8. Blake Griffin was the game’s leading scorer with 30 points on 13-for-22 shooting from the field.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Andre Drummond scored a game-high 26 points and the Pistons defeated the Cavaliers 110-103 but did not cover as 9.5-point favorites. He also put up 22 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 213 points, which was just 3.5 points below the projected point total of 216.5 points. The Pistons had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (36.1 vs. 16.7) and had a better free throw rate (0.218 vs. 0.146).
Cleveland comes into the game with records of 2-12 straight up (SU) and 7-7 against the spread (ATS). Of the Cavaliers’ 14 games, nine have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Detroit owns records of 7-6 SU and 6-7 ATS. A little over half of Pistons games have also finished under the projected point total.
Tristan Thompson has averaged 14 rebounds,14.0 points over the last five games for Cleveland.
It will be a matchup of conflicting styles as the fast-paced Pistons will look to push the more methodical Cavaliers. The Pistons rank sixth in possessions per game while the Cavaliers are 28th. Also, the Cavaliers are among the league’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking third in offensive rebounding percentage (27.2 percent). The Pistons, meanwhile, rank first in defensive rebounding percentage (81.6 percent).
Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Pistons, ATS Winner – Pistons, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes:
Cleveland is 5-2 ATS on the road with 5 unders and 2 overs.
At home, Detroit is 1-5 ATS with 4 unders and 2 overs.
Detroit is 1-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Cleveland is 1-2.
When scoring above 100 points, the Cavaliers are 2-6 and the Pistons are 7-4.
Detroit ranks fifth in three pointers attempted per game (34.8) while Cleveland ranks last (23.2).
The Pistons rank sixth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.7) while the Cavaliers rank 28th (20.1).
Detroit ranks second in fast break points allowed per game (10.7) while Cleveland ranks 20th (15.2).
The Cavaliers rank second in rebounds allowed per game (41.4) while the Pistons rank 19th (45.8).
Detroit ranks 12th in steals allowed per game (7.4) while Cleveland ranks 25th (9.0).
The Pistons average 48.61538461538461 points in the paint per game, which ranks 11 in the NBA. The Cavaliers rank 24 in points allowed in the paint per game (50.714285714285715).
Detroit ranks 3 in second chance points allowed per game (11.153846153846153) while Cleveland ranks 14 (13.428571428571429).
The Pistons are 25 in the NBA with 21 assists per game while the Cavaliers are 28 with 20.214285714285715 assists per game.
Neither of these teams are great at blocking the ball. Detroit is 26 in the NBA with 4 blocks per game while Cleveland is 28 with 2.642857142857143 blocks per game.
Bettings Trends:
In its last five outings, Cleveland is 3-2 ATS with 5 unders.
Detroit is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Cavaliers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.4, down from 8.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pistons have scored an average of 110.2 points per game (0.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.4 points per game (2.3 below their season average).
*****
