The Cleveland Cavaliers (37-23) and Detroit Pistons (43-14) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The game will broadcast live on ESPN.
The Pistons are 6.5-point favorites over the Cavaliers on the spread (Pistons -6.5), with the over/under set at 227 total points. Detroit is a -260 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Cleveland is +210 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. Pistons predictions and NBA picks for Friday, February 27.
Cavaliers vs Pistons Prediction
- Cavaliers vs Pistons picks: Pistons -6.5 (-115), Under 227 (-110)
My Cavaliers vs Pistons best bets are on Detroit to cover the spread and Under 227 total points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Cavaliers vs Pistons Odds
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -115 | 227 -110o / -110u | +210 |
| Pistons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -105 | 227 -110o / -110u | -260 |
If you want to trade on Cavaliers vs. Pistons at Kalshi, sign up using our Kalshi promo code. This prediction market app is legal in most states and offers a variety of unique markets beyond the NBA.
Cavaliers vs Pistons NBA Preview
The Cavaliers are punting on this game.
James Harden suffered a fractured non-shooting hand and is still weighing his options.
Donovan Mitchell is out with a groin injury — and Dennis Schröder, Keon Ellis, and Dean Wade are questionable.
The problem is that this makes this a potential letdown spot for the Pistons.
When teams face good opponents missing this many players, we see inexplicable, random underperformance routinely in the NBA — but not consistently.
This could either be a massive blowout for the Pistons or a tight game that the Cavaliers have a legit chance of winning.
With the injuries, I make the spread for this game Pistons -10.5.
The odds are putting Harden, Schröder, and Ellis as out halfway on the power rating.
Simply putting these guys on the injury report suggests they are planning on punting this game, though.
Another complication is the possibility of mixed lineups.
When Harden is on the floor with Jarrett Allen without Mobley, the Cavs’ defense has been a disaster, giving up 119.3 points per 100 possessions. Add in Mobley, and it drops to 104.2.
So, is this a defensive game or an offensive game if Harden plays? If he doesn’t, how are the Cavaliers going to score?
The Cavaliers have some dogs on their team; Jaylon Tyson chief among them. But also, Schröder and Ellis are two of them and neither may play.
What I’m trying to say is this game is difficult to cap, but let’s assume that the guys on the report are out.
Cavaliers vs Pistons Predictions, Betting Analysis
Pistons -6.5
The Pistons are rolling, having won eight of their last 10 games, and are 9-3 SU, 8-4 this season against division opponents and 5-1 ATS SU and ATS in those games.
However, the Pistons are 12-13 as home favorites this season while going 11-7 ATS as home favorites when favored by more than their season average.
The Cavaliers are 6-3 as road 'dogs this season. They are 7-9 ATS the last two seasons when Donovan Mitchell is out, but 3-0 as road 'dogs without him. Go figure.
Strictly speaking, the safe play is to lay the number with Detroit. However, I might also hedge with Cavaliers moneyline strictly based on the unstable nature of this game.
Under 227
The same concerns land for the total because who's in and who’s out will determine the baseline competency of the Cavaliers’ offense.
However, fully healthy, I make the total for this game 226 vs. the line of over/under 227.
If we assume an overall negative impact for the Cavs’ offense with Mitchell and possibly Harden out, then we have to lean toward the Under.
Mitchell and Harden not playing, even without Schröder and Ellis potentially, helps the defense.
There’s a potential game script where the Pistons smash the Cavaliers with their defense. There's also a world where the Cavs' offense grinds this game into the muck.
The Under has to be the play.
Cavaliers vs Pistons Best Bets
- Pistons -6.5 (-115)
- Under 227 (-110)
Spread
My first Pistons vs. Cavaliers betting prediction is on Detroit to cover the spread at -6.5.
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline in this spot.
Over/Under
My second betting prediction for tonight's matchup is on the Under at 227 total points.
