The Detroit Pistons (24-8) and Los Angeles Lakers (20-10) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The game will broadcast live on NBC and Peacock.
The Pistons are 3-point favorites over the Lakers on the spread (Pistons -3), with the over/under set at 233 total points. Detroit is a -150 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Los Angeles is +125 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Pistons vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, December 30.
Pistons vs Lakers Prediction, Picks
- Pistons vs Lakers pick: Jaden Ivey Over 11.5 Points (-115)
My Lakers vs Pistons best bet is on Jaden Ivey to record over 11.5 points, with the best price currently available at bet365. However, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Pistons vs Lakers Odds
| Pistons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 233 -110o / -110u | -150 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 233 -110o / -110u | +125 |
Pistons vs Lakers NBA Preview
In December, the Lakers rank 29th in defensive rating just above the Jazz. A Christmas Day loss to the Rockets was their third consecutive loss of 15 points or more.
That prompted a frustrated J.J. Redick to say "I'm not doing another 53 games like this" while promising an uncomfortable practice on Saturday.
At least for one night, the message got across as the Lakers defeated the Kings 125-101 on Sunday night.
Luka Doncic led the way with 34 points, five rebounds, and seven assists while LeBron James had 24 points and five assists on 11-for-13 from the field.
The Kings do have the second worst record in the West and are last in offensive rating in December, so the Lakers will have to get the chance to put their renewed defensive effort to the test when they host the Pistons.
The Pistons still are sitting atop the Eastern Conference, though their lead over the Knicks is down to just one game.
The Pistons have split the first four games of their West Coast road trip and will need a victory to salvage a successful trip. This will be their third in Los Angeles after they fell to the Clippers 112-99 on Sunday night.
Cade Cunningham picked up three early fouls to put the team in an early hole. He finished with 27 points and nine assists, though with the rhythm Kawhi Leonard was in, it did not matter.
Leonard scored a career-high 55 points and had 51 of it through three quarters. The Pistons will need to make sure that Doncic and/or James do not have a performance like that.
Ausar Thompson will be assigned to one of them and he will likely be trading secrets with his brother, Amen, after his Rockets faced the Lakers last week.
Thompson has had a quick hook the last two games as he has played just 40 minutes in total. Staying out of foul trouble will be a key for him given his importance to the Pistons' point of attack defense.
Pistons vs Lakers Prediction, Betting Analysis
Jaden Ivey continues to re-acclimate himself back in the Pistons rotation and played a season-high 29 minutes on Sunday.
While he shot just 2/10 from the field, he scored 11 points after getting to the foul line six times. Increased volume and opportunity makes Ivey an attractive target against this Lakers defense.
The Lakers are 23rd in three-pointers allowed per game and last in 3-point percentage defense. They are 28th in points allowed and 24th in points in the paint allowed to shooting guards, which should benefit Ivey with his ability to get downhill.
Last season, he scored 26 points in 35 minutes and 18 points in 29 minutes in two games against the Lakers.
While I would not expect 30 minutes tonight, Caris LeVert is doubtful tonight, so Ivey will be needed for more scoring punch off the bench.
If he gets 25 minutes tonight, I like his chances of scoring 12 points in this matchup.
Pick: Jaden Ivey Over 11.5 Points (-115)
