Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Odds, Picks & Predictions - Game 3

The second round of the NBA playoffs continue with an Eastern Conference battle as the top-seeded Detroit Pistons take on the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday afternoon. It’s Game 3 of the best-of-seven series and we have you covered with our Pistons vs. Cavaliers 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.

In the all-time playoff meetings between the teams, the Cavaliers own a 15-8 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.

Pistons Shooting for Sixth Straight Victory

Detroit ran their postseason win streak to five games as they took down Cleveland at home Thursday night. The Pistons now seek a commanding 3-0 series edge as they take the floor for this contest. In Game 2, Detroit led by as many as 11 in the first quarter and held a seven-point edge at the end of one. The Pistons led by 11 at the half only to trail by as many as three in the second half. Detroit was up just two midway through the fourth quarter before going on a 12-5 run to secure the win. Cade Cunningham led five Pistons in double figures with 25 points and 10 assists in the victory.

In the postseason, the Pistons are 10th in the league in scoring offense as they average 103.9 points a game. Detroit is 4th in rebounding with an average of 46.2 boards per contest. They are tied for 11th in assists by dishing out 21.4 dimes a night. The Pistons are 1st in the league in scoring defense as they give up an average of 98 points per contest. Cade Cunningham leads the way offensively for the Pistons with 30.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. Tobias Harris contributes 21.3 points plus eight rebounds a night as a secondary scoring option.

Detroit is 9th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 44.5% from the floor. The Pistons are 12th in the league in threes per game as they hit 10.2 triples per contest. In addition, they are 7th in three-point percentage as they connect on 35.1% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Detroit is below average at the charity stripe, ranking 8th by shooting 75.8% at the line.

Key Injury Report for Pistons:

• Kevin Huerter (adductor) is doubtful.

Cavaliers Hope Home Cooking Gets Them Back In Series

Cleveland dropped to 0-5 on the road in the postseason as they faded down the stretch again in Game 2 Thursday night. On the plus side if you’re a Cavaliers fan is the fact that they are 4-0 at home in the postseason. In Game 2, Cleveland trailed by as many as 14 and led by as many as three in the contest. The Cavaliers trailed 89-87 midway through the fourth quarter before going cold down the stretch, sending them to defeat. Donovan Mitchell led the way for Cleveland with 31 points and was one of three players in double figures 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 points per game this postseason. Cleveland is 6th in rebounding as they grab 43.3 boards per contest. Meanwhile, they stand tied for 11th 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 24 points plus 4.9 rebounds a night on the year. James Harden (19.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists) and Evan Mobley (16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds) are solid secondary options.

Cleveland is 6th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 46.1% from the floor as a team in the playoffs. The Cavaliers are 5th by knocking down an average of 12.7 three-pointers a night. In addition, they are 11th by connecting on 33.2% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Cleveland is below average at the charity stripe as they rank 10th by shooting 74.9% from the line as a team.

Key Injury Report for Cavaliers:

• Guard Sam Merrill (hamstring) is questionable.

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Pistons vs. Cavaliers Prediction

Detroit broke out in Game 2, hitting 14 of 28 from beyond the arc to Cleveland’s seven of 32 showing. That kind of performance from the perimeter is dangerous as it could make life difficult for the Cavaliers to defend. In addition, James Harden was abysmal in Game 2, shooting three of 13 from the floor, including zero of four from three-point range. He finished with 10 points while committing four turnovers in the game. With that said, Cleveland took three of their four home playoff games by double figures. In addition, they covered this number in all four home games. Therefore, take the Cavaliers in this contest as they get back in the series.

Our Prediction: Cavaliers -4.5 (BetMGM, -102)

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