Cavaliers vs Pistons Prediction NBA Picks 3/1/24

Detroit Pistons (9-49) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (38-20)

Game Info: Friday, March 1, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Little Caesars Arena)

Betting Odds: Detroit Pistons +9.5 -- Over/Under: 225 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons collide at Little Caesars Arena on Friday night. Here’s a Cavaliers vs Pistons Prediction.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been great shape as they've won 12 of their last 16 games overall, but they will be looking to bounce back here after falling just short to the Bulls in a 132-123 double overtime loss on Wednesday. Evan Mobley led the team with 25 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks, Darius Garland added 23 points with five assists while Donovan Mitchell chipped in with 19 points. As a team, the Cavaliers shot 43 percent from the field and 22 of 54 from the 3-point line as they missed on chances to win the game at the end of regulation and the first overtime, before they got blown out in the second overtime where the Bulls opened with a decisive 8-0 run. The Cavs will meet the Knicks and Celtics after this one.

Detroit Pistons

Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons have been in a real funk as they've lost nine of their last 12 games overall, but they will be feeling much better after stopping a six-game slide with a 105-95 road win over the Bulls on Tuesday. Cade Cunningham led the team with 26 points and five assists on nine of 13 shooting, Simone Fontecchio added 17 points off the bench while Jaden Ivey chipped in with 15 points and five assists. As a team, the Pistons shot 49 percent from the field and 14 of 37 from the 3-point line, but this win was more about their defense as they trailed for most of the first half, before they restricted the Bulls to just 40 points in the second half to come away with the upset road win.

Detroit Pistons Player Facts

Jalen Duren ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (12.0) this season.
Cade Cunningham ranks 3rd in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for assists per game (7.4) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Pistons rank 30th in the league for steals per game this season (6.0).
The Pistons rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (8.8).
The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for Q2 opponent points per game this season (26.6).
The Cavaliers rank 2nd in the league for opponent points per game this season (109.7).

Cavaliers vs Pistons Prediction

The Cavaliers could be a little shorthanded for this one with Donovan Mitchell listed as questionable, while the Pistons are still missing Marcus Sasser. The Cavaliers come into this meeting clearly as the team in better form and they will be eager to get back in the win column after suffering a double overtime loss on Wednesday. The Pistons have shown some signs of improvement to win three of their last 12 games overall and they looked pretty good in their upset win over the Bulls on Tuesday. The Cavaliers have won all three meetings against the Pistons this season, but each of those games was decided by single digits, so while I like the Cavaliers to complete the sweep, I can picture the Pistons hanging around long enough to get the cover once again.