Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Picks & Predictions 3/5/2018

Monday, March 5, 2018

Quicken Loans Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Detroit Pistons travel to Quicken Loans Arena to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, March 5, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Cleveland as 7 point favorites.

The Pistons head into this matchup with a mark of 29-34. They are 4th in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.9 as they are averaging 103.1 points per contest while giving up 104.0 per game. The Cavaliers have an overall mark of 36-26. They currently are 1st in the Central Division. They are averaging 110.0 points per contest and giving up 110.1, which is a point differential of -0.1.

Valuable Detroit Pistons Betting Trends

The Detroit Pistons are 27-34-2 against the spread

The Detroit Pistons are 26-34-3 against the over/under

Important Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 19-42-1 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 31-29-2 against the over/under

Key Detroit Pistons Injuries

12/27/17 PG Reggie Jackson Ankle is out indefinitely
11/25/17 F Jon Leuer Ankle is out for season

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

03/03/18 F Jeff Green Back is out indefinitely
01/30/18 F Kevin Love Hand is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Blake Griffin comes into this contest averaging 21.5 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Pistons. He pulls down 7.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is currently at 80%. Andre Drummond averages 15.2 points per game in 33.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.4 assists per contest and 15.8 rebounds per game for Detroit. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 62%.

Player Spotlight

Jordan Clarkson averages 14.4 points per game while playing 23.5 minutes per contest this year for the Cavaliers. He grabs 3 rebounds per game and has 3.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage currently is at 78%. Lebron James averages 26.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.4 rebounds per contest and 9.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage is 74%.

Useful Team Statistics

Detroit averages 103.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.92 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 24th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 8th in the league. They average 43.2 rebounds per game and 22.6 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 15th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.7 per game. The Pistons allow 104 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 16th and 28th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.3 rebounds a game which ranks 18th and they give up 24.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland is 5th in the league with 110 points per game this year. They are 6th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is -0.05. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 11th in the NBA. They are 23rd in the league in rebounding with 42 boards per game, and 11th in assists per contest with 23.5. The Cavaliers are 18th in turnovers per game with 14. The Cavaliers surrender 110.1 points per contest, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 27th and 27th in those defensive statistics. They rank 30th with 26 assists allowed per contest and 23rd with 44.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cavaliers are 5th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.5 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Pistons are 20th in the league in defensive rating with 107.8, and their offensive rating of 106.9 is ranked 19th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 23rd. As a unit they are 26th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 18th in the NBA. Detroit is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 10th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Cleveland is 18th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 2nd in the NBA. The Cavaliers are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 112.1, and their offensive rating of 112.1 is ranked 3rd. They are 14th in the NBA in pace with 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 3rd. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Pistons/Cavaliers NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Cleveland -7

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