Detroit Pistons Form
The Pistons haven’t had such luck this season, they’ve won just 3 of their last 18 games and have covered the spread only 5 times during that stretch. At home things are even worse with just 1 win in their last 10 games. They are coming off a big 129-107 home loss to Sacramento on Monday. It was their 2nd game in a row in which they allowed 120+ points, but unlike against the Raptors they couldn’t score enough in this one. The good news is rookie sensation Cade Cunningham had probably his best game as an NBA pro with 25 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists on 50% shooting from the field. As a team though, the Pistons shot only 27% from the three-point line and allowed the Kings to shoot 53% from the floor.
With just 1 win in 6 at Little Ceasars Arena, the Pistons are one of the worst home teams in the NBA right now. Although they are healthy on paper, they aren’t talented enough to compete on most nights. Sadly for them, I think tonight is one of those nights yet again. Their best player Jerami Grant is far too inconsistent, he has nights where he scores 20+ and then he follows it up with a 7-point night. I’m backing the Pacers to bounce back with an important away win here.
Pacers Form
After a couple of impressive wins against Philadelphia and Utah, the Pacers hit a roadblock and lost at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks held them to just 84 points in the 8-point defeat as Indiana scored just 2 field goals in the 4th quarter. Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis both had 22 and 21 points, but neither could help Indy break out of their shooting woes late and they managed just 10 points in the final 12 mins of play. Tonight’s game is a new opportunity to get back on the winning track, they have a pretty solid record against the Pistons as of late. They’ve beaten them in 4 of the last 5 meetings. Bettors have made a lot of money on Indiana’s games this season, the Pacers have covered the spread 6 times in their last 8 games overall.
Betting Tip: Detroit Pistons vs Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers -6.5 Point Spread is available at -110 odds on bet365
This game has all the necessary ingredients for a lower scoring outcome. In terms of pace of play the Pacers average 102.1 possessions per game which ranks only 16th in the NBA. The Pistons are 3 spots below them with 101.6 possessions per game. The total has gone under in 4 of the last 6 meetings between them and in 5 of the last 6 when Detroit is the home team. Last season they averaged 219 points between them in the 3 meetings, however with the new rules in place this season we’ve seen both of their games average far less points this season compared to last year. At home the Pistons are 2-4 on the O/U, Indy is 3-6 in their away games. Detroit simply doesn’t have the depth to compete here, I think the Pacers hold them to under 100 points here and get the win. Let’s back the under in this one.
