Pistons vs Wizards Predictions & Picks - Tired Wizards Can't Keep Pace With Detroit
- Detroit Pistons -9.5 and Cade Cunningham under 8.5 assists are tipped.
- Pistons are rested, 4-1 on the road, and have the second-ranked defence.
- Wizards are on a five-game losing streak and played last night.
By Ryan Tucker • Sports Editor & Betting Analyst
Sports Tipster & Betting Model Expert
Fact Checked by: Leigh Copson•Updated:
Pistons vs Wizards Expert Predictions & Picks
I'm jumping on the Detroit Pistons -9.5 on the road on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7:00 p.m. ET with Cade Cunningham under 8.5 assists.
This is a bad spot for Washington. The Wizards lost 114-101 in Indiana last night, they've dropped five straight and now they host a rested Detroit team with the second-ranked defense.
The Pistons are 4-1 on the road, winning by 17, 13, 16 and 33. They also beat this Washington team 122-111 on Monday.
Cunningham is the prop. He's stayed under 8.5 assists in nine of 10 games this season. If Detroit pulls away, his minutes come down too.
Key Stats
- Detroit ranks fifth in net rating (+8) and second in defensive rating
- Washington is shooting 29.8% from three with the 26th-ranked offense
- The Wizards have lost their last five by 7, 11, 13, 15 and 39
- Cunningham has 8 or fewer assists in nine of 10 games
Head to Head
Detroit won three of four meetings last season, including 130-117 and 117-95 in Washington in March. Washington's only win was 126-117 in Detroit in February.
This season's meeting went to Detroit, 122-111 at home on Nov. 9.
Detroit Pistons Form
Cunningham leads the way at 22.3 points and 7.6 assists a game. Duncan Robinson is averaging 18.6 points and 4.2 threes, and Ausar Thompson adds 8.4 rebounds.
The defense is the story. Detroit allows 104.6 points a game, and guards are scoring just 48.3 a game against it, the second-fewest in the league. Jalen Duren (hamstring) and Isaiah Joe (hip) are out.
Duren has played only two games, so this isn't a new problem. Paul Reed (11.4 points, 7.4 rebounds) and John Collins (10.7 points) have held the frontcourt together. The only road loss was 111-97 at New York.
Washington Wizards Form
Anthony Davis has been excellent, averaging 25.2 points and 10 rebounds and scoring 28.6 a game over his last five. Kyshawn George adds 18.5 points and Trae Young 18.2 points and 8.3 assists.
The problem is everything else. Washington is 4-8, ranks 24th in net rating and has scored 105 or fewer in three of its last five. Jamir Watkins, Justin Champagnie, Reece Beekman and Tristan Vukcevic are out, and Dante Exum is a game-time call.
The road trip that just ended went badly with 4 straight losses, 139-132 at Atlanta, 114-75 at Oklahoma City, 122-111 at Detroit and 114-101 at Indiana. Washington also allows guards 59.2 points a game, the ninth-most, which opens things up for Cunningham and Daniss Jenkins (12.7 points).
Verdict
A rested top-five team is facing a tired, short-handed team on a five-game skid. Detroit has covered this number in four of five road games. I'm laying the 9.5 and taking Cunningham's assists under.
Ryan Tucker
Sports Editor & Betting Analyst • Sports Tipster & Betting Model Expert
Ryan is a sports content writer and editor, producing insights and analysis for major sports including NFL, NHL, NBA and more.
Born in Australia, multiple trips to North America deepened his love for the four major US sports and a continuing dream to catch as much live action as possible.
Stats and data analysis has now outgrown the hobby tag and the countless models and simulations are now being put to good use writing previews and predictions for all major sporting events across basketball, ice hockey, baseball, football and Australian sports that are still close to his heart.