On Tuesday 03/25, the Detroit Pistons (40-32) will host the San Antonio Spurs(31-39) in an inter-conference Regular-Season match-up. The Pistons have secured their hold on the sixth position in the East while the Spurs are lingering but fighting at the 13th position in the West. Will the Pistons be able to continue their winning trail against a bottom-placed but feisty squad? Read about the preview, total predictions, and player props here.
Pistons: Offensive powerhouse has a tough road ahead
The Detroit Pistons will enter the affair after a 6-point win against the struggling New Orleans Pelicans without Cade Cunningham as Ron Holand II put up 26 points and 6 assists. It was their third win in four games, but have a so-so 7-6 record since late February. Detroit has a tough schedule as they will play against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder after this game. Their character will be tested in these games and the window after that is no less tricky. Thus, the team needs Cade Cunningham back in full flow to finish on a high note. At any rate, they have all but secured an automatic first-round qualification and look comfortable in both fast-paced and slow-paced game situations.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Cade Cunningham | SG: Malik Beasley | SF: Ausar Thompson | PF: Tobias Harris | C: Jalen Duren
Key Injuries/Updates: The status of Cade Cunningham is UNCLEAR. Tim Hardaway Jr. is likely to be OUT. Jaden Ivey is OUT for the season.
Spurs: Doing better than expected
The San Antonio Spurs will come into this game after a thumping 34-point win against the Toronto Raptors as Devin Vassell rolled in 25 points. It was their fifth win in seven games, and have gone on a three-game winning streak without their two top players, Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox. The bench has stepped in big-time while the backcourt duo of Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle is working wonders. The team has dug in defensively, but their chances of making the Play-in tournament look far-fetched. Their efforts are laudable nonetheless.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Chris Paul | SG: Stephon Castle | SG/SF: Devin Vassell | SF/PF: Harrison Barnes | C: Bismack Biyombo
Key Injuries/Updates: De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama are OUT for the season.
Both teams have shown the tendency to score over 120 these days. Detroit’s overall defense is marginally better than the Spurs but they also love to exchange buckets and outflank teams in shootouts. In this case, I believe, they won’t allow San Antonio to get 120 here, but they may concede in the 112-118 range. Overall, I believe the total score here can be in the 240s.
Cade Cunningham to score over 30.5 points: The Pistons PG has accumulated around 27 points per game in March, crossing the month’s average six times. I believe he will score in the 31-35 points range.
Jalen Duren to collect over 11.5 rebounds: The athletic center has grabbed 10 rebounds per game this month, just around his season average. I expect him to collect at least 12 rebounds here.
Stephon Castle to score over 18.5 points: The Spurs guard has tallied 20 PPG in March, 6 PPG above his season average. He can nab 19-23 points here.
Jeremy Sochan to score over 13.5 points: The Spurs guard has put up 12.8 PPG this month, just above his season average. He can be in 14-17 points range off the bench.
The Pistons will be keen to get a win here before beginning a tough stretch. They may have opted to rest Cunningham in the last game because they were up against a poor squad in the Pelicans, and the same can be said about the Spurs. Would the team want to leave an opening for a team that has won three in a row? At any rate, whether Cunningham plays or not, I expect the Pistons to get a big win here.
Safe Spread Pick: Pistons -11.5 for +100 at BetMGM
Photo Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
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