The Detroit Pistons (12-2) and Atlanta Hawks (9-5) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The game will be broadcast live on FDSSE.
The Pistons are 1-point favorites over the Hawks on the spread (Pistons -1), with the over/under set at 230.5 total points. Detroit is a -115 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Atlanta is -105 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Pistons vs. Hawks predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, November 18.
My Pistons vs Hawks Prediction
- Pistons vs Hawks pick: Over 230.5 (-110)
My Hawks vs Pistons best bet is on the over total points, with the best price currently available at bet365. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Pistons vs Hawks Odds
| Pistons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -105 | 230.5 -110o / -110u | -115 |
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -115 | 230.5 -110o / -110u | -105 |
Pistons vs Hawks NBA Preview, Predictions
I’m taking the over at 230.5 in Pistons-Hawks tonight.
This play ties into a theory I’ve been developing — the "No Point Guard Theory."
It actually started when Caitlin Clark missed several games for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA.
The market would drop the total every time she was ruled out, and the game would still soar over. Oddsmakers seemed to assume the offense would slow down without a traditional floor general, but the opposite happened.
Without waiting for a point guard to receive the outlet, whoever grabbed the rebound immediately pushed the ball up the court. The Fever crossed half court faster, got into their offense quicker, and the pace shot up — and pace is the No. 1 factor when handicapping totals in basketball, NBA or WNBA.
I think we’re seeing a similar dynamic with Atlanta in the NBA right now.
Even without Trae Young, the Hawks are playing faster — not slower — and this matchup sets up well for another high-tempo game.
The Hawks have scored north of 120 in three straight games, with the lone exception coming against the Clippers — a team that drags opponents into a slow, grinding tempo.
Whether it’s Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels or Zaccharie Risacher, whoever collects the rebound just goes.
That faster decision-making creates more possessions, and more possessions create more points.
I like the over even more if Cade Cunningham suits up for Detroit.
Getting an offensive hub like Cade back would likely push this total closer to 232 by tipoff.
If he’s out, I still view 230.5 as a floor; if he’s in, there’s clear upside.
Pistons vs Hawks Best Bet
- Over 230.5 (-110)
