Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Odds, Picks & Predictions - Game 7 05/17
The second round of the NBA playoffs continue with an Eastern Conference battle as the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers take on the top-seeded Detroit Pistons Wednesday night. It’s a win or go home Game 7 of the best-of-seven series and we have you covered with our Cavaliers vs. Pistons prediction.
In the opening game of the series Tuesday night, Detroit picked up a 111-101 home victory to draw first blood. The Pistons covered the line as a 3.5-point favorite. In addition, the Pistons earned a 107-97 win at home in Game 2 Thursday night. They covered the line as a 3.5-point favorite in that contest. Cleveland got on the board with a 116-109 win in Game 3 at home, covering the line as a 5.5-point favorite. The Cavaliers squared the series with a 112-103 home win in Game 4 Monday night. They covered the line as a 3.5-point favorite.
Cleveland earned their first road win of the playoffs with a 117-113 overtime win Wednesday night. The Cavaliers won outright as a 4.5-point underdog. Back to the wall, Detroit earned a 115-94 victory on the road in Game 6. The Pistons won outright as a 4.5-point underdog.
In the all-time playoff meetings between the teams, the Cavaliers own an 18-9 edge in head-to-head victories. Cleveland has won three of the four previous postseason series between the teams. Let’s break down this Pistons vs. Cavaliers matchup.
Cavaliers Seeking to Survive and Advance
Cleveland, fresh off the heels of their first road win of the postseason, had all the momentum. The Cavaliers then laid an egg for their first home playoff loss, sending this series to a Game 7. In Game 6, Cleveland led by as many as six in the opening quarter only to trail by two after the opening quarter. The margin was three at the half before the Cavaliers crumbled in the second half. Cleveland was on the wrong side of a 30-19 third quarter and that told the tale. James Harden led the Cavaliers with 23 points and seven rebounds in the loss.
The Cavaliers come into this one ranked 5th in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 109.2 points per game this postseason. Cleveland is 7th in rebounding as they grab 41.5 boards per contest and stand 12th in assists by handing out 21.4 dimes a contest this postseason. The Cavaliers are 9th in the league in scoring defense as they allow an average of 109.9 points per game this season. Donovan Mitchell leads the way in the scoring department for Cleveland as he puts up 25.6 points plus 5.2 rebounds a night on the year. James Harden (20.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists) and Evan Mobley (16.7 points, 7.7 rebounds) are solid secondary options.
Cleveland is 6th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 46.2% from the floor as a team in the playoffs. The Cavaliers are 4th by knocking down an average of 12.8 three-pointers a night while they are 7th by connecting on 34.2% of their attempts from beyond the arc. However, Cleveland is below average at the charity stripe as they rank 10th by shooting 75.9% from the line as a team.
Key Injury Report for Cavaliers:
- Larry Nance Jr. (illness) is doubtful.
Pistons Shooting to Cap Another Series Comeback
Detroit trailed 3-1 in their first round series with Orlando and won three straight games to advance. The Pistons trailed 3-2 against the Cavaliers but managed to stave off elimination with a road win in Game 6. Against Cleveland, Detroit trailed by as many as six in the first quarter before a 10-2 run gave them a two-point edge. The Pistons were up three at the half, opened the second half on a 13-2 run and controlled the game from there. Detroit was led by Cade Cunningham’s 21 points and eight assists in the win. He was one of six players in double figures.
In the postseason, the Pistons are 9th in the league in scoring offense as they average 105.8 points a game. Detroit is 5th in rebounding with an average of 44.2 boards per contest. They are 9th in assists by dishing out 22.5 dimes a night. In addition, the Pistons are 3rd in the league in scoring defense as they give up an average of 101.6 points per contest. Cade Cunningham leads the way offensively for the Pistons with 29.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game. Tobias Harris contributes 19.1 points plus 7.4 rebounds a night as a secondary scoring option.
Detroit is 7th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 45.6% from the floor. The Pistons are 12th in the league in threes per game as they hit 10.6 triples per contest. They are 5th in three-point percentage as they knock down 36.4% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Detroit is above average at the charity stripe, ranking 6th by shooting 76.6% at the line.
Key Injury Report for Pistons:
- Kevin Huerter (adductor) is questionable.
- Duncan Robinson (back) is questionable.
- Caris LeVert (heel) is questionable.
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This is a topsy-turvy series as the home team prevailed in the first four contests. Meanwhile, the road team took the last two games. Both teams are playing their second Game 7 of the postseason. The big winner here is a team that isn’t on the floor and that’s the Knicks. As far as the teams on the floor, it’s tough to get a read on either team. Cleveland has the more battle tested squad but guys like Harden and Mitchell come small in the big moments. Detroit is a solid defensive team and Cunningham stepped up in the first round against Orlando. Therefore, give the edge to the Pistons here.
Our Prediction: Pistons -4.5 (FanDuel, -106)
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