Detroit Pistons (6-8) vs Chicago Bulls (5-8)
November 18, 2024 at 07:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Detroit -3.5 — Over/Under: 232.5
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have been in poor form as they’ve lost seven of their last nine games overall and they will be hoping for a better effort in this one after getting embarrassed by the Rockets in a 143-107 home loss last night. Zach LaVine led the team with 15 points while Talen Horton-Tucker added 12 points off the bench, but no other player finished in double figures. As a team, the Bulls shot a miserly 33 percent from the field and 14 of 56 from the 3-point line, but they were even worse on the defensive end as they allowed 41 points in the second quarter to trail by double-digits going into halftime before they leaked 75 points in the second half to get completely blown out in front of their home fans.
Detroit Pistons
Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons have been in fine form as they’ve won six of their last nine games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after routing the lowly Wizards in a 124-104 road defeat last night. Jaden Ivey led the team with 28 points and eight assists, Malik Beasley added 26 points on 10 of 16 shooting, Cade Cunningham tallied 21 points with 10 rebounds and five assists while Tobias Harris chipped in with 12 points and nine rebounds. As a team, the Pistons shot 47 percent from the field and 17 of 38 from the 3-point line as they set the tone defensively, holding the Wizards to just 18 points in the first quarter, before they exploded for 37 points in the third quarter to lead by as many as 25 points at one stage.
Why the Detroit Pistons will win
- The Pistons have won five of their last six games at Little Caesars Arena against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Bulls have lost four of their last five games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Pistons have covered the spread in four of their last five games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Bulls have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Bulls’ last four road games against Central Division opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of the Pistons’ last seven home games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Chicago Bulls vs Detroit Pistons Prediction
The Bulls are still a little shorthanded with Lonzo Ball still out, while the Pistons have ruled out Ausar Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr once again. The Bulls haven’t been able to get anything going this season despite being relatively healthy and their confidence took another gut shot after getting smashed by the Rockets in a 36-point defeat last night. The Pistons have quietly been one of the surprise teams in the league as they’ve won six of their last nine and just made light work of the Wizards in a big win last night. It wouldn’t be a shock if the Bulls were able to pull off the minor upset on the road, but the Pistons deserve a lot of credit for how well they’ve played so far this season and I think they continue their strong run with a win and cover at the short line at home.