It’s almost gift-giving season and the Los Angeles Lakers get a present from the schedule-makers tonight with a trip to face a flailing Detroit Pistons team that’s lost 14 games in a row. NBA odds have the Lake Show as 7.5-point road faves.
The Lakers are off to a steady 10-8 start, but there were warning signs in a 44-point loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday — the largest margin of defeat that LeBron James has experienced in his storied career.
Still, Detroit hasn’t won since October 28 and head coach Monty Williams blasted his team after the 126-107 loss at home to the Washington Wizards two nights ago.
Check out my free NBA picks for the Lakers vs Pistons for a closer look at tonight’s matchup in Motown.
Lakers vs Pistons odds
Lakers vs Pistons predictions
It’s going to take more than one player to turn things around for the Detroit Pistons this season, but Cade Cunningham is the de-facto leader of this team and the franchise cornerstone. While he’s been putting up big numbers, it hasn’t been a winning formula.
But I’m expecting a response from Detroit here after Williams’ blunt assessment on Monday night. That starts with Cunningham taking a firmer grip on the offense, and I like the look of the Over for his points and assists tonight.
I’m leaning toward the points for a few reasons, including a sense that Cade could be in a lead-by-example mode to snap the Pistons’ losing run finally. Cunningham has scored 26 or more points in each of his last three games — and, while the efficiency hasn’t been there, he’s not short on volume.
He’s taken at least 17 shots in his past five outings and I see him winning his duel with opposite number D’Angelo Russell. It also helps that Cade’s numbers largely trend upwards across the board when he plays at home, and he finished with 26 points against the Wizards at Little Caesars Arena earlier in the week.
Detroit needs a spark to break out of what’s really been a season-long rut, and I’m wagering on Cade to provide it.
My best bet: Cade Cunningham Over 24.5 points (-105 at DraftKings)
Lakers vs Pistons same-game parlay
Cade Cunningham Over 24.5 points
Cade Cunningham Over 6.5 assists
Pistons first half moneyline
I’m sticking with Cunningham for my favorite SGP tonight. Again, the Pistons’ best path to a win is to put the ball in Cade’s hands early and often.
Cunningham has had seven or more assists in four of his last six contests, and his path to a monster game could be smoother than expected if Anthony Davis or LeBron James (both on the injury report) sit out.
I’m also rolling the dice with the Pistons to lead at halftime. If Williams’ stinging comments and a clash with the Lakers aren’t enough to stir Detroit into life, nothing will.
The hosts have held their own in the first half of their last three games despite the strain of this wretched skid.
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Lakers vs Pistons spread and Over/Under analysis
As you might expect after a 14-game losing run, the Pistons find themselves as home underdogs tonight, and the 7.5-point line might be higher if we knew that both LeBron and Davis were playing.
Detroit’s woeful form is well documented, but it’s particularly concerning three of the hosts’ last four defeats have come by 19 points or more.
Neither team has excelled against the spread this year — the Lakers are 7-11 and the Pistons are 7-10 — but Detroit’s 1-7 outright home record just adds to the feeling that it will take a huge performance here to get another W on the board at last.
The Lakers are 7-3 in the past 10 meetings, but the Pistons are 7-3 ATS, including covers in six of the last eight matchups.
Both teams have been all over the map with the Over/Under numbers. L.A. only cashed the Over on Monday because the 76ers piled up 138 points, and the Under has been a winning ticket in five of the visitors’ last seven contests.
Meanwhile, Detroit’s erratic defense always keeps the Over in play. Within the past 10 days, the hosts have allowed 136 points against the Pacers and 142 against the Toronto Raptors.
Lakers vs Pistons betting trend to know
The trends point to L.A. as a top-tier road team, with the Lakers winning 49 of their last 84 games on their travels. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Pistons.
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Lakers vs Pistons game info
| Location: | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI |
| Date: | Wednesday, November 29, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Spectrum SportsNet, Bally Sports Detroit |
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