Detroit Pistons at Portland Blazers NBA Picks & Predictions 3/17/2018

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Moda Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Detroit Pistons travel to Moda Center to play the Portland Blazers on Saturday, March 17, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Portland as 8.5 point favorites.

The Pistons head into this matchup with a mark of 30-38. They are 4th in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -1.5 as they are averaging 102.9 points per contest while giving up 104.4 per game. The Blazers have an overall mark of 42-26. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 105.9 points per contest and giving up 103.1, which is a point differential of 2.8.

Valuable Detroit Pistons Betting Trends

The Detroit Pistons are 30-36-2 against the spread

The Detroit Pistons are 28-37-3 against the over/under

Important Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 37-28-3 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 28-40-0 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 Portland Blazers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Blake Griffin averages 21.7 points per game in 34.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.5 assists per contest and 7.4 rebounds per game for Detroit. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%. Andre Drummond comes into this contest averaging 15 points per game while playing 33.2 minutes per night so far this season for the Pistons. He pulls down 15.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 53% while his free throw percentage is currently at 61%.

Player Spotlight

C.J. McCollum averages 21.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.9 rebounds per contest and 3.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 85%. Damian Lillard averages 26.8 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per contest this year for the Blazers. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 6.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 91%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pistons allow 104.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 16th and 25th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.6 rebounds a game which ranks 18th, and they give up 25 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. Detroit averages 102.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.53 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 25th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 43.2 rebounds per game and 22.6 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 13.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Blazers surrender 103.1 points per contest, which ranks them 5th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 2nd with 20.2 assists allowed per contest, and 13th with 42.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Blazers are 2nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.7 per game this season. Portland is 14th in the league with 105.9 points per game this year. They are 21st in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 2.74. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 2nd in the NBA. They are 3rd in the league in rebounding with 45.3 boards per game and 30th in assists per contest with 19.3. The Blazers are 22nd in turnovers per game with 13.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Pistons are 24th in the league in defensive rating with 108, and their offensive rating of 106.4 is ranked 18th. They are 21st in the NBA in pace with 96.2 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 17th 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

Portland is 23rd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 26th in the league. The Blazers are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.1, and their defensive rating of 106.3 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 18th in the league with 96.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 21st. As a team they are 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Detroit +8.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink