Pistons vs Rockets Picks and Predictions: Detroit Matches Up Well With Houston

In a meeting between the top two picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons face Jalen Green and the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center tonight.

For a game involving two teams that are, well, bad, this is still a highly-anticipated matchup with the Rockets sitting as slim NBA betting home favorites.

Which of these rookies will earn the win in their first-ever showdown? Keep reading our Pistons vs. Rockets picks and predictions, for Wednesday, November 10, to find out.

Pistons vs Rockets odds

Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.

The Rockets have been 4.5-point favorites since this line opened, but they are now laying 4 points on most sites. Most of the public seems to be backing Houston, but Kevin Porter Jr.’s injury status could change this line. The total hasn’t moved since opening at 210.5. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Pistons vs Rockets predictions

• Prediction: Pistons +4 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 211 (-110)
• Best bet: Pistons +4 (-110)

Predictions made on 11/10/2021 at 10:01 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Pistons vs Rockets game info

• Location: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
• Date: Wednesday, November 10, 2021
• Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN

Pistons vs Rockets betting preview

Injuries

Pistons: Killian Hayes G (Probable), Isaiah Livers F (Out), Chris Smith F (Out).
Rockets: Kevin Porter Jr. G (Questionable), Eric Gordon G (Probable), Danuel House F (Probable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last six games as home favorites. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Rockets.

Pistons vs Rockets picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

While the line in this game is down to 3.5 on some sites, you can still get find plenty of 4-point spreads around, which makes taking the Pistons a no-brainer for us. Both of these teams are struggling, with Detroit having lost four in a row and Houston losing eight in a row, but the Pistons did cover in their most recent loss to Brooklyn — and they should be a lot better with Cade Cunningham in the mix.

Cunningham has really struggled with his jumper in the early portion of the season, as the rookie is shooting just 14.3-percent from deep. Cunningham was a good shooter at Oklahoma State, though, so it's only a matter of time before he starts to get his shot going, and he did go 3 for 7 from deep against the Nets.

Look for him to build on that performance and be a bit better as a scorer moving forward. His presence will make this Detroit team a lot more competitive for the remainder of the season, and it should help the Pistons win games like this one.

Another reason that Detroit is a good play in this game is the way that the Pistons can defend in the backcourt. Cunningham and Killian Hayes are both excellent defensive players, so the two of them should be able to give Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. some trouble here. If the Rockets can’t get those guys going, it’s going to be hard for them to cover this number — or even win outright.

Christian Wood is the only player that should have Detroit on edge in this game. He is an insanely talented player and the Pistons will need to make sure they are out on him on the three-point line while also not giving him clear lanes to the hoop.

Prediction: Pistons +4 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

The Pistons and Rockets aren’t exactly stout defenses, but the reason the Under is the right play tonight is that both teams are even worse on the offensive end.

Both Detroit and Houston sit in the Bottom 3 of the league when it comes to offensive rating, which is part of the reason the Under has hit in seven of the nine games that the Pistons have played while going 6-3-1 in the Rockets’ 10 games.

For what it’s worth, the Under is also 8-0 when Houston has played against teams that allow a shooting percentage of at least 48 percent under head coach Stephen Silas. And in that same span, the Under is 8-2 when the Rockets have played as home favorites.

Prediction: Under 211 (-110) 

Best bet

Detroit should be in this game when it comes down to the final possessions — if not holding the lead.

The Pistons just match up very well with the Rockets. Houston is very dependent on its young backcourt of Porter and Green, but Detroit has two perimeter defenders that have the size and strength to bother them. The same also goes for Eric Gordon, who has been playing well lately.

Kelly Olynyk could also be a player that swings this game a bit. The Rockets’ biggest edge in this one is on the inside, where Wood is a phenomenal talent, but Olynyk is playing good basketball right now and should be able to be effective against his former team.

Pick: Pistons +4 (-110)

Pages related to this topic