Detroit Pistons vs. Los Angeles Clippers - 1/2/20 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Detroit Pistons vs Los Angeles Clippers

Date: Thursday, January 2, 2020

Location: Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA

TV: NBA TV

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 220

Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers (24-11, 2nd in the Pacific Division) host the Detroit Pistons (12-22, 4th in the Central Division) at Staples Center on Thursday, January 2, 2020. Detroit opens this game as 6.5 point dogs. The total has been set at 220.

The Pistons are covering the spread 36.4% of the time, having gone 12-21-1 ATS. Los Angeles covers the spread 57.1% of the time, going 20-15-0 against the spread.

Key Detroit Pistons Injuries

12/31/2020 Khyri Thomas SG Foot Game Time Decision
12/31/2020 Blake Griffin PF Knee Game Time Decision
12/31/2020 Markieff Morris PF Foot Game Time Decision
12/30/2020 Reggie Jackson PG Back Expected to be out until at least Jan 9
12/30/2020 Jordan Bone PG Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 4
12/26/2020 Luke Kennard SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 9

Key Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

12/31/2020 Lou Williams SG Personal Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/30/2020 Patrick Beverley PG Wrist Expected to be out until at least Jan 4

Player Spotlight

Derrick Rose comes into this game averaging 16.8 points per contest while playing 24.4 minutes per night this year. He grabs 2.1 rebounds per contest and distributes 5.9 assists per game. His FG percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is 85%. Andre Drummond averages 17.9 points per contest in 33.8 minutes per game. He averages 2.8 assists per game and 15.9 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 54% for the season while his free throw percentage is 61%.

Player Spotlight

Kawhi Leonard scores 25.6 points per contest while playing 32.0 minutes per game. He hauls in 7.6 rebounds per contest and has 5.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 89%. Lou Williams averages 19.0 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 30.3 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.0 rebounds per game and has 6.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

Detroit averages 108.3 points per contest, which is 19th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -2.7 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 7th. From 3-point territory they shoot 38%, which is good for 3rd in the NBA. They average 42.2 boards per contest and 24.6 assists per game, which ranks them 28th and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 5th with 16.0 per game. The Pistons allow 110.9 points per contest, which is 17th in the NBA. They also surrender a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 25th and 25th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 42.8 rebounds a game which ranks 4th, and they allow 24.9 assists per game which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 7th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 5th in the NBA with 115.0 points per contest this season. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.8. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 13th in the league. They are 4th in the NBA in rebounding with 47.9 boards per contest and 19th in assists per game with 23.2. The Clippers are 8th in turnovers per contest with 15.8. The Clippers give up 108.2 points per game, which ranks them 13th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 4th and 11th in those defensive statistics. They rank 4th with 22.6 dimes allowed per game and 13th with 45.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Clippers are 22nd in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Pistons are 16th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.4, and their defensive rating of 112.1 is ranked 22nd. In terms of pace they are 21st in the league with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 7th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 15th in the league. Detroit is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 7th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 12th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 25th in the NBA. The Clippers are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 105.3, and their offensive rating of 111.9 is ranked 5th. They are 9th in the NBA in pace with 102.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 18th. As a unit they are 12th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 20th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Detroit +6.5

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