Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons November 4 Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers (6-1) look to keep the momentum rolling as they take the short trip to Little Caesars Arena to take on the young and hungry Detroit Pistons (2-7). Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.
The Favorite: Cavaliers (-233)
The Cavs are looking like the early favorites to compete in the Eastern Conference Finals after winning six consecutive games after dropping a close game against the Toronto Raptors in the season opener.
The most impressive were the two wins the Cavs already got over the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics this season. Donovan Mitchell looks like an early MVP candidate and has season averages of 31 points per game on 48 percent shooting from the field.
Considering that Mitchell stat line, if this wasn't already nightmare fuel for the opposing Pistons, all-star point guard Darius Garland returned Wednesday night and dropped 29 points and 12 assists while adding five threes. Even scarier, Garland did this with one of his eyes almost swollen shut.
The Pistons big men will also have their hands full, as Jarrett Allen is averaging a double-double, and second-year Evan Mobley is quietly averaging 16 points per game.
Can Detroit Cover +6?
Hint: Probably not.
The Pistons are 4-5 against the spread this season and average about 109 points per game. This isn’t to say that tonight's matchup is headed for a blowout, as the young Pistons have been competitive against some good teams. The Pistons beat the defending champion Golden State Warriors by 14 and put up a respectable performance in a close two-point loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Halloween. Cade Cunningham is the underrated engine of this team, averaging 21, 6, and 6.
The Pistons have also gotten some great play out of veteran Bojan Bogdanovic. The play of rookie Jaden Ivey and swingman Saddiq Bey keeps this Pistons team in competitive games. As for stopping Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, rookie Jalen Duren and sophomore Isaiah Stewart will have their hands full.
Since I don’t expect the Pistons to have an answer for the Cavs bigs, who have become increasingly active in the game plan, there is a real opportunity for the Cavs to cover the spread on the road.
On the Pistons side, I would consider Cade Cunningham hitting the over in total points scored as it currently sits at over 21.5 (-106).
After the matchup against the Pistons, the Cavs head on a west coast trip against the Lakers, Clippers, and Warriors, so if a big enough lead is built tonight, there’s a good chance J.B. Bickerstaff takes the opportunity to rest his players.
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