The Detroit Pistons (45-14) and Cleveland Cavaliers (38-24) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The game will broadcast live on FDSDET.
The Pistons are 1.5-point favorites over the Cavaliers on the spread (Pistons -1.5), with the over/under set at 226.5 total points. Detroit is a -130 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Cleveland is +110 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Pistons vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, March 3.
Pistons vs Cavaliers Prediction, Picks
- Pistons vs Cavaliers pick: Pistons -2.5 (-110)
My Cavaliers vs. Pistons best bet is on Detroit to cover the spread. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Pistons vs Cavaliers Odds
| Pistons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 226.5 -110o / -110u | -130 |
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 226.5 -110o / -110u | +110 |
Pistons vs Cavaliers NBA Preview
No Donovan Mitchell for the Cavaliers tonight.
The Pistons are mostly healthy. Isaiah Stewart returns from a three-game suspension tonight.
With Mitchell out, I make the spread for this game Pistons -4.2.
The Cavaliers are 13-18 ATS this season at home, and 0-2 as home 'dogs with a 17-point ATS differential.
Detroit is 8-5 ATS against divisional opponents this season; Cleveland is just 4-8.
The Cavaliers have obviously turned a wide corner the last few months, and then added James Harden.
However, the overall profile doesn’t suggest that Cleveland is going to avenge its close, short-handed loss last week.
Detroit’s ability to bust screens is a huge deal here.
The Pistons are the No. 1 pick-and-roll defense in the league this season — even better than Oklahoma City.
The Pistons manage to front-screen actions while not getting beat on the slip because they are so athletic and physical.
I wasn’t surprised the Cavaliers hung in last week because they were forced to play defensive-first lineups with the stars out.
But now that Harden is back, the Cavs will be in the middle between high-powered offensive and tough defensive lineups, and that probably won’t work against Detroit.
Pistons vs Cavaliers Predictions, Betting Analysis
Pistons -2.5
The Cavaliers are 6-14 SU this season vs. top-10 defenses with a -4.6 spread differential, which ranks 28th in the league.
The Cavs simply haven't been able to win or cover in scrappy games.
Detroit ranks low in three-point rate and percentage, but the Cavaliers are bottom-five defensively in both categories.
If you give the Pistons' offense the ability to find more efficient looks with their elite defense, you are going to have a bad time.
I like Detroit down to -4.
Over 226.5 (Lean)
I lean Over here, but don’t think it’s a great spot.
There’s no telling what the game script is going to be here.
Are the Cavaliers going to lean more on their offense and let Detroit score some points? Or, are the Cavaliers going to try to program more defensively and turn this into a slog?
Styles make fights, and we don’t know what this particular fight looks like — especially with Harden and without Mitchell.
James Harden Over 20.5 Points
Harden's points prop is also a good look.
The Pistons' defense is tremendous, but they give up a lot of floaters, and Harden has been taking that shot a lot so far with Cleveland; 1.6 attempts per game.
Plus, if the Pistons take away Evan Mobley after he had a big game against them last time, Harden will have to do more on his own.
Pistons vs Cavaliers Best Bets
- Pistons -2.5
- Over 226.5 (Lean)
- James Harden Over 20.5 Points
Spread
My Pistons vs. Cavaliers betting prediction is on Detroit to cover the spread (-2.5).
Moneyline
I'm laying the 1.5 points with the Pistons instead of the taking the moneyline in this spot.
Over/Under
No play on the total in tonight's matchup.
