NBA Picks & Predictions: Cavaliers vs. Pistons (Wednesday)
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons meet in Game 5, as both teams look to take control of the series. Below, I highlight why I love the Pistons' defense in this game, while also explaining why there's value in backing James Harden or Tobias Harris to have a solid game. Here are the best NBA picks for Wednesday, May 13th.
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Wednesday’s Best NBA Picks & Predictions
(Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons
Cleveland Cavaliers Team Total Under 104.5 Points (-108)
The Cavaliers have scored at least 112 points in back-to-back games, but I'm fading their offense tonight for a couple of reasons. First, they didn't score more than 101 points in either of their two games in Detroit earlier in this season. They managed just 97 in Game 2.
Second, the Pistons’ defense has been incredible this entire postseason. Through 11 games, they're allowing just 100.9 points per game. While their defensive performance could have been seen as a fluke in the first round against the Magic, they're holding the Cavaliers to just 106.5 points per game this series.
The Pistons have yet to allow more than 112 points in a home game this postseason, giving up an average of just 102.6 points in home games.
Donovan Mitchell has been outstanding for the Cavaliers, and he dropped 43 points in his last game. However, the rest of the Cavaliers' offense hasn't really shown up this series, especially on the road.
Detroit Pistons First Half -2.5 (-106)
I understand why the spread for this game is only 3.5 points, but I can't believe the spread for the first half. The Pistons have absolutely dominated the first half of both games in Detroit, leading by 11 and 13 at the break in the first two games of this series. The Cavaliers didn't even reach 50 in the first half of either game.
What makes me love the Pistons even more is that they actually led by four at halftime of Game 4. Sure, they got blown out in the first half of Game 3, but that was the Cavaliers’ first game of the series at home, and they were desperate in a 0-2 hole. The Pistons have been fast starters all series, and I expect the same tonight after disappointing performances in back-to-back games.
James Harden or Tobias Harris - Either Player 25+ Points Scored (+118)
For my final pick, I'm backing the second-leading scorers for each team. James Harden is averaging 19.9 points per game in the postseason, while Tobias Harris is averaging 20.8. However, neither player has reached 25 points in this series.
That said, Harden found his stroke from deep on Monday, as he shot 5-of-9 from three-point range. The problem was that he didn't make a single shot from inside the arc, though he did score 24 points. He now has at least 22 points in five of his 11 games this postseason, and he's only scored fewer than 18 twice. He enters this contest with a high floor.
Meanwhile, Harris has scored at least 20 points in eight of his last nine games, but he only reached 25 in one of those contests. Still, he has scored at least 23 points in three postseason games, and he's really been the only Detroit offensive player who's shown up other than Cade Cunningham in the playoffs.
Getting this for the price that's available is key, as neither play is a sure thing, but these are scorers, and both players have been around this number all postseason.
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Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.