Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers Preview (3/4/23): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds

By Andrew Norton | Mar 03, 2023, 9:16pm

Contents

The injury-riddled Detroit Pistons continue their cursed season when they make the relatively short trip to Cleveland for a battle with the Cavs. Take a look at our betting predictions below and see whether we think Detroit can cover the massive spread on the road. Further, check out the current betting odds, injury reports, and starting lineups for both teams!

Detroit Pistons Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Odds

The Cleveland Cavaliers are massive 13-point favorites when they host the Pistons on Saturday. Cleveland will enter the matchup against Detroit with no injuries to report unless someone is a late, unexpected scratch.

On the other hand, Detroit will miss several key players, including Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart, and Alec Burks. The Pistons will have to turn to multiple bench players to step into starting roles for this game.

Detroit Pistons Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction

A 13-point spread is huge in the NBA, but is it justified in this game?

Detroit has been nothing short of horrendous, boasting a 15-48 record, which is the worst in the Eastern Conference and second-worst in the league. Additionally, the Pistons have dropped six-straight games and nine of their past ten.

Complicating matters further, Detroit will be without multiple starters and key players, including Cade Cunningham, Alec Burks, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart, and Jalen Duren.

Who is going to score for Detroit? Outside of Jaden Ivey, the Pistons will have to rely on Hamidou Diallo, Killian Hayes, and James Wiseman.

Hayes shoots 37% from the field, Wiseman has barely gotten tick on an NBA floor this season, playing in just 26 total games, and Diallo does most of his damage inside the arc, where Cleveland plays its best defense.

Detroit will have a hard time breaking 90 points in this one and the Cavs should dissect the Pistons’ defense, which ranks third-worst in the league. I’ll back Cleveland in this spot, despite the big spread number.

Betting Trends

Detroit is 15-15-2 ATS on the road in 2022-23
Cleveland is 21-11-1 ATS at home in 2022-23
The combined over record of these two teams is 64-63-1 in 2022-23

Key Matchups

With Detroit having so many injuries, our key matchup features James Wiseman, a recently acquired big man, and the Cavaliers’ frontcourt. Take a look and see if Wiseman can continue his strong play since arriving in Detroit.

James Wiseman vs. Cleveland Frontcourt

James Wiseman will be subjected to trial by fire on Saturday when he gets the start for the Detroit Pistons against Cleveland, one of the best frontcourts in the league. Wiseman will have very little help in this matchup, as both Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart are out due to injuries.

Can Wiseman hold his own against this Cavs frontcourt that has caused so much havoc this season on the defensive end of the floor?

Since being traded to Detroit, Wiseman has certainly had some bright moments, including a 23-point outing against the Charlotte Hornets earlier this week. There’s only one problem: that was Charlotte.

Still, his 11.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game on 59% shooting in five games for the Pistons hold up quite well; his per 36s look very solid in the small sample size that we have so far.

Regardless, going up against Cleveland is a completely different experience. The Cavs hold opposing centers to the third-fewest points in the NBA, and we should see Wiseman struggle quite a bit.

Only one of the five teams Wiseman has faced as a member of the Pistons have ranked in the top ten in that metric, while none of them have been in the top five.

Expect a rude awakening. Advantage: Cleveland Frontcourt.

Detroit Pistons Starting Lineup

PG: Killian Hayes
SG: Jaden Ivey
SF: Rodney McGruder
PF: Marvin Bagley III
C: James Wiseman

Detroit Pistons Team Pages

Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineups

PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Isaac Okoro
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen

Cleveland Cavaliers Team Pages

Key Injuries

Detroit Pistons Injuries: Jalen Duren (Out), Cade Cunningham (Out), Isaiah Stewart (Out), Isaiah Livers (Q), Alec Burks (Out), Bojan Bogdanovic (Out)

Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries: None

Andrew Norton

Drew is one of the NBA Lead Writers at Lineups.com, specializing in betting content such as game predictions and player props. With a deep knowledge of players and prospects, Drew has an extensive edge in covering everything NBA.