The Detroit Pistons (14-12) will try to snap their six-game losing streak when they clash against the Denver Nuggets (14-12) at Little Caesars Arena. The game will air on Fox Sports – Detroit at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 12, 2017.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 208.5 points with Detroit opening as a 7-point favorite.
Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons Betting Prediction
The last time the Nuggets played, they were topped by the Indiana Pacers, 126-116. Indiana’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Denver. The Pacers had a rate of 9.7 (better than their season average of 12.4), while the Nuggets posted a mark of 17.1 (above their season average of 13.5). Will Barton put together a good performance for Denver, putting up 21 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
The Pistons were beaten by the Boston Celtics in their last matchup, 91-81. Boston’s 0.487 effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Detroit, who had a rate of 0.393. The Celtics’ mark was below their season average of 0.518, while the Pistons’ was below their season average of 0.519. Detroit’s Tobias Harris put together a solid game, leading both teams in scoring with 19 points on 5-for-15 shooting.
Getting to the line could be scarce for Detroit in this matchup. The Pistons currently rank 28th in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.166, while Denver ranks third in FTA rate allowed (0.164). Additionally, the Nuggets rank 23rd in turnover percentage (15.3 percent), while the Pistons rank fifth in opponents’ turnover percentage (15.6 percent).
Denver heads into the game with records of 14-12 straight up (SU) and 10-16 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Nuggets’ games have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Detroit owns records of 14-12 SU and 16-8-2 ATS. Of the Pistons’ 26 games, 15 have finished under the O/U total.
Barton and Gary Harris have been playing well over the last five games for Denver. Barton has averaged 22.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. Not to be outdone, Harris has recorded 18.2 points, 3.6 assists and 2.4 steals a game during that span.
After the Pistons won both games against the Nuggets last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the most recent matchup, Detroit won 106-95. The Pistons’ turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Nuggets. Detroit had a rate of 8.6, while Denver posted a mark of 14.0.
Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pistons, ATS Winner – Nuggets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Denver is 3-11 ATS on the road with 7 overs and 7 unders.
Detroit is 7-4-1 ATS at home with 6 overs and 6 unders.
In games where they allow below 100 points, Denver is 6-1 and Detroit is 7-4.
The Nuggets are 12-7 when they reach the century mark, while the Pistons are 12-4.
Detroit ranks fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.7) while Denver ranks 29th (20.3).
The Pistons rank second in fast break points allowed per game (8.4) while the Nuggets rank 19th (11.6).
Denver ranks 15th in blocks per game (4.7) while Detroit ranks 29th (3.3).
The Nuggets average 23.1 assists per game, which ranks eighth in the league. The Pistons rank 22nd in assists allowed per game (24.2).
Denver ranks third in points in the paint per game (48.5) while Detroit ranks 16th (43.2).
The Nuggets rank first in second chance points per game (15.8) while the Pistons rank 10th (13.3).
Denver ranks eighth in rebounds per game (44.9) while Detroit ranks 14th in rebounds allowed per game (43.0).
The Pistons average 7.9 steals per game, which ranks 13th in the league. The Nuggets rank 18th in steals allowed per game (8.1).
Detroit ranks 17th in three pointers attempted per game (29.2) while Denver ranks 18th in three pointers allowed per game (29.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Denver is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Detroit is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 push over their last five games.
The Nuggets’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.4, up from 0.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pistons have scored an average of 95.0 points per game (8.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 100.2 points per game (2.0 below their season average).
