Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction 1/4/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers collide at the Rocket Arena on Sunday afternoon. Here’s a Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction. This article will include a Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers Pick.

Detroit Pistons Betting Preview 

The Detroit Pistons have cooled off a bit recently as they’ve lost three of their past four games overall and they will be hoping to bounce back after getting stopped by the Bulls in a 118-112 loss on Thursday. Cade Cunningham led the team with 31 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists, Marcus Sasser added 18 points on six of 10 shooting off the bench while Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson each scored 12 points.

As a team, the Pistons shot 48 percent from the field and nine of 26 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Heat from the start and fell behind by as many as 22 points. This is a shame because they dominated the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to just two points with 46.4 seconds left on the clock before allowing the Bulls to slip away. 

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers are starting to heat up now as they’ve won five of their last seven games overall. They will be gunning for a fourth straight victory after sneaking past the shorthanded Nuggets in a 113-108 win on Friday. Donovan Mitchell led the team with 33 points, six rebounds and five assists on 14 of 24 shooting, Darius Garland added 18 points with eight assists while De’Andre Hunter chipped in with 16 points, five rebounds and four assists off the bench.

As a team, the Cavaliers shot 50 percent from the field and 16 of 39 from the 3-point line as they leaked 38 points in the third quarter to trail by as many as 11 points. Before they flipped the script in the fourth quarter where they outscored the Nuggets by 25-11 to pull off the impressive comeback win at home. 

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Pistons have lost each of their last 13 road games against Cavaliers teams that held a winning record.
• The Cavaliers have won each of their last nine games against the Pistons at Rocket Arena.
• The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five road games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cavaliers have covered the spread in each of their last four day games following a home win.

Why the Detroit Pistons will win

• The Pistons have won each of their last five games as underdogs following a loss.
• The Cavaliers have lost three of their last four games as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 home games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
• The Pistons have covered the spread in seven of their last eight road games on the first leg of a back-to-back against Eastern Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Pistons’ last four road games on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Eleven of the Cavaliers’ last 13 games as favorites against the Pistons have gone UNDER the total points line.

Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts

• Darius Garland ranks 2nd in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (89.4%) this season.
• Jaylon Tyson ranks 8th amongst qualified players for 3P% (44.8%) this season.

Detroit Pistons Player Facts

• Ron Holland II ranks 6th amongst qualified players for steals per 36 minutes (2.4) this season.
• Javonte Green ranks 8th amongst qualified players for steals per 36 minutes (2.3) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cavaliers rank 30th in the league for Q2 win percentage this season (30.6%).
• The Cavaliers rank 2nd in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (92.7).
• The Pistons rank 30th in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (80.9%).
• The Pistons rank 30th in the league for opponent free throws made per game this season (23.5).

Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction

The Pistons have ruled out Caris LeVert, Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris, while the Cavaliers are keeping an eye on Dean Wade, Sam Merrill and Jarrett Allen, who are all listed as questionable for this one. The Pistons were simmering throughout the first part of the season before the injuries started to pile up, which has caused their recent drop-off.

In contrast, the Cavaliers have started to turn their season around despite their injuries, and they enter this one as favorites after winning their last three games. These teams last met on Oct. 27, and it was the Cavaliers who romped to a 116-95 win at home. I’m expecting a much closer contest in this one, but with the line so short, I will stick with the resurgent Cavaliers to get the narrow win and cover at home.

Peter Tran's Pick: Cleveland -5.5