DETROIT PISTONS VS. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — February 5, 2025

DETROIT PISTONS VS. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — February 5, 2025 — Greetings, basketball fans. Welcome back to our NBA coverage here at Godzilla Wins. One of the games on tap from today’s slate features the Detroit Pistons (25-25 SU, 25-24-1 ATS) hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers (40-10 SU, 33-17 ATS).

Here is a look at which squad has the edge going into this matchup and why.

Tipoff

When: Wednesday, February 5, 2025 @ 7:30 PM ET

Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI

TV: FDSDET and FDSOH

Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers — Preview & Betting Trends

Pistons Look To Bounce Back From Buzzer-Beating Loss Against Atlanta

The Pistons recently saw their two-game winning streak end with a 132-130 loss against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night. Cade Cunningham headlined a scoring attack in which four starters reached double figures.

He finished with 30 points, 14 assists, and six rebounds. While he shot just 8-for-23 from the field, Cunningham converted 13 of his 14 attempts from the charity stripe.

Tobias Harris pumped in 22 points along with four rebounds on 8-for-13 shooting. Jalen Duren and Malik Beasley contributed 18 points apiece.

Fast forward to the fourth quarter, the teams were knotted at 130 in the game’s waning moments before Hawks guard Trae Young hit a fadeaway jumper with 1.6 seconds. That game-winning shot helped Atlanta end its eight-game slide.

Cavs Shoot For Another Victory Against Division Rival

On the other side of this matchup, the Cavaliers dropped a 112-105 decision against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, snapping their four-game winning streak.

Donovan Mitchell set the tone for Cleveland with a team-high 31 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and two steals.

His backcourt partner, Darius Garland, poured in 25 points, including three 3-pointers. Jarrett Allen added 17 points and pulled down a game-high 18 rebounds.

After trailing by 12 points heading into the final frame, Cleveland trimmed the deficit to four points. However, Derrick White knocked down a pair of 3-pointers, giving the Cs a 107-97 advantage with 2:41 left to play. The Cavaliers have won the previous 11 games between these teams. Will that trend continue, or can the Pistons pull off the upset?

Now that we have set the stage for this epic divisional showdown, let’s examine the betting trends for both teams.

Pistons vs. Cavaliers Spread Analysis

Following their two-point loss against the Hawks, Detroit enters this divisional tilt as a 5-point underdog (per OddsShark.com). Here is a look at how both teams have fared against the spread this season.

• The Pistons are 2-4 ATS  in their last six games.
• Detroit is 1-4 ATS in its previous five matchups against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Pistons have covered the spread four times in their last five February outings.
• Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their previous five contests.
• Cleveland is 7-2-1 ATS in its last six 10 games against Detroit.
• In their past nine February matchups, the Cavaliers are 1-8 against the spread.

Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers (-5)

Pistons vs. Cavaliers Over/Under Prediction

The projected scoring total for this matchup is 237 points (via OddsShark.com). Let’s see why going with the “under” is the intelligent choice.

• The total has gone UNDER nine times in the Pistons’ last 10 contests against Cleveland.
• The UNDER total is 4-1 in the Cavaliers’ previous five matchups against Detroit.
• Detroit and its opponents have a scoring average of 223.7 points per outing, 13.3 points fewer than the projected total for this contest.
• The scoring average in Cleveland’s games this season is 229.4 points per contest, 7.6 points less than the game’s over/under. 

Prediction: UNDER 237 points

Pistons vs. Cavaliers Player Prop Bet

Following his 30-point, 14-assist effort against  Atlants, Cunningham is the player to watch for the home team. He currently has -120 odds of scoring more than 27.5 points and -110 odds of finishing with less than 27.5 points (via DraftKings.com).

Here is a look at how his numbers stack up against the projected points total for this matchup.

• During the season, Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points per game.
• In two matchups against Cleveland this season, Cunningham has compiled averages of 27.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per contest on shooting splits of .460/.200/1.000.
• Cunningham has suited up in 22 home games this season. In those contests, he averages 25.2 points per contest.
• Across his last five starts, Cunningham has put up 29.2 points per game, exceeding the point total for this matchup three times during that stretch.

Prediction: Cade Cunningham UNDER 27.5 points