The Portland Trail Blazers (9-13) and Detroit Pistons (17-5) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich. The game will broadcast live on KUNP.
The Pistons are 7.5-point favorites over the Blazers on the spread (Pistons -7.5), with the over/under set at 235.5 total points. The Pistons are -305 favorites to win outright on the moneyline, while the Blazers are +245 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Trail Blazers vs. Pistons predictions and NBA picks for Friday, December 5.
My Trail Blazers vs Pistons Prediction
- Trail Blazers vs Pistons pick: Trail Blazers +7.5 (-108)
My Trail Blazers vs Pistons best bet is on Portland to cover the spread, with the best price currently available at -108. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Trail Blazers vs Pistons Odds
| Trail Blazers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -108 | 235.5 -110o / -110u | +245 |
| Pistons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -112 | 235.5 -110o / -110u | -305 |
Trail Blazers vs Pistons NBA Preview
On Tuesday night, the Trail Blazers trailed by as many as 16 in the second half and were one stop away from forcing overtime before falling 121-118 in Toronto.
However, they were to able bounce back the following night and knock off the Cavs 122-110. They closed as double-digit underdogs and snapped a three-game losing streak in the process. They will take on another one of the Eastern Conference's best in Detroit tonight.
The Pistons are also in the middle of a stretch in which they play three games in four nights, with tonight's game being sandwiched around two against Milwaukee. The Bucks evened up the season series with a 113-109 victory on Wednesday.
The Pistons jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first quarter as Giannis Antetokounmpo went down with an injury, but that may have caused Detroit to take their feet off the gas pedal.
Spacing was also an issue, as Cade Cunningham had one of his worst games of the year to this point with 17 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists on 5-for-15 from the field. Two of his three games with under 20 points this season have come in the past two games.
Duncan Robinson did not play on Wednesday, and he is shooting 40.1% on 7.6 3-point attempts per game. He is questionable tonight with a right ankle sprain, along with Marcus Sasser, who could make his season debut tonight.
Portland will be without Jrue Holiday once again, as the veteran deals with a right calf strain. the Blazers may also be also shorthanded in the frontcourt as Donovan Clingan (left leg contusion) and Robert Williams III (left knee) are both questionable.
However, it's worth noting that Clingan has been questionable in each of the last two before ruled in. It will still be something to monitor, as it could lead to a big game for Jalen Duren if they are both out.
Portland had won seven straight against Detroit, but since the Pistons snapped that streak, they have won the last three meetings.
Each of those Pistons wins has had at least 231 points, and tonight's total is 235.5. It will be an interesting trend to watch as four of the Pistons' last five games have landed under.
However, the pace will be something to watch tonight. The Trail Blazers are third in pace while the Pistons are third this season.
Trail Blazers vs Pistons Prediction, Betting Analysis
Record-wise, these teams are fairly even against the spread with the Trail Blazers coming in at 12-9-1, and the Pistons sitting at 13-9.
However, the Trail Blazers have covered six of their last eight games, three of which were against the Cavaliers, Raptors, and Thunder.
Meanwhile, the Pistons have failed to cover in five of their last six games while losing three outright.
If Robinson is out again, Detroit's spacing will suffer offensively and that will make it more difficult to win by eight or more.
For Portland to hang around or pull off the upset, look for Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe to lead the way.
Avdija is averaging 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game this season, and has recorded 35+ PRA in 13 of his last 16 games.
Sharpe scored 11 and 7 points in consecutive games returning from injury.
Since, he has scored 43 points in his last two games. He has scored 15 points or more in 16 of 18 games this season with 20 in three of his last three against the Pistons.
Since returning from injury, Tobias Harris is averaging 18 points over his last seven games. He has scored 15 points in four of them as well as in three of his last four games against Portland.
His partner on the wing, Ausar Thompson, has five rebounds in each of his last five games and last three games against Portland.
Pick: Trail Blazers +7.5 (-108, DraftKings)
Trail Blazers vs Pistons Parlay Picks
- Deni Avdija 35+ Points, Rebounds, and Assists
- Tobias Harris 15+ Points
- Shaedon Sharpe 15+ Points
- Ausar Thompson 5+ Rebounds
Parlay Odds: +325 via DraftKings
Spread
I like the Trail Blazers to cover the spread.
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
No play on the over/under, either.
Pistons vs Trail Blazers Betting Trends
