Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Game 2 Prediction, NBA Playoff Odds
The Detroit Pistons will look to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference playoffs semifinal series against the Cleveland Cavaliers when these two teams tangle again in Detroit on Thursday night. The Pistons tipped off this best-of-seven set with a 111-101 victory on Tuesday, extending their overall winning streak to four games.
This was a competitive matchup throughout the regular season, as these Central Division rivals split their four meetings at two wins apiece. The Cavaliers impressed on both occasions when they visited Detroit, cruising 116-95 on October 27 before forcing overtime in a February 27 showdown, only to fall 122-119.
The Pistons are 3.5-point favourites to win Game 2 on the NBA odds, with the total set at 215.5.
Cavaliers vs. Pistons NBA Betting Odds
Cleveland was favoured in the first two regular-season encounters, although one of those came when Detroit was without all-star centre Jalen Duren. After surging to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, the Pistons were favoured in each of the last two contests – by eight points at home and by 2.5 points on the road. The regular-season totals varied between 226.5 and 229.5, but Tuesday’s number plunged to 216.5 since defensive intensity always ratchets up in the playoffs. Following a low-scoring affair in Game 1, Game 2’s total is even lower – albeit by just one point.
Cleveland is 1-5 against the spread in its last six games and 0-4 ATS in its last four on the road. Detroit is 3-0 ATS in its last three overall. The under is 8-2 in the last 10 head-to-head meetings, but the over is 3-1 in the Cavaliers’ last four games.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Reserve shooting guard Sam Merrill left Game 1 in the first half because of a hamstring injury and did not return. The Utah State product is currently listed as a game-time decision for Thursday, but news regarding hamstring injuries is rarely good. Merrill averaged 12.2 ppg during the regular season and logged more than 20 minutes per game in round one against Toronto.
Especially if he doesn’t have Merrill backing him up, Donovan Mitchell will have to step up for the Cavaliers. Since scoring 32 and 30 points in the first two games against the Raptors, Mitchell has failed to score more than 24 points in six consecutive contests.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have gotten hot – and not a moment too soon. They faced elimination three times in the opening round against Orlando after trailing the series 3-1 but woke up to dominate in each do-or-die situation. Game 6 saw the visitors outscore the Magic by a ridiculous 55-19 margin in the second half. Detroit then cruised 116-94 in Game 7.
Despite that success, the Pistons are still waiting for Duren to heat up. After averaging 19.5 ppg in the regular season, the 22-year-old was held to just 10.6 ppg by Orlando and scored only 11 points on 4-for-11 shooting in Game 1 against Cleveland.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 2?
Cleveland did not play well by any stretch of the imagination on Tuesday. It lacked aggressiveness, which is part of the reason why it attempted just 16 free-throws to Detroit’s 35. The visitors also turned the ball over 19 times compared to the Pistons’ 11. Although it is somewhat encouraging for the Cavaliers that they didn’t get completely blown out despite such futility, keep in mind that they trailed 37-21 after one quarter. The game was never close. A suddenly in-form Detroit outfit should once again have the edge at home. Let’s go with the Pistons to win 112-106.
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