Two teams trending in opposite directions meet on Monday. The Los Angeles Clippers will visit the Detroit Pistons at 7 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The Clippers (19-15) have won five of their last seven games, despite opening the road trip with a loss at Philadelphia. The Pistons have lost five straight and eight of their last nine.
The Clippers are favored by 5.5 points with an over/under of 223.5. The Clippers are -225 on the moneyline while the Pistons are +185.
Clippers heating up
Kawhi Leonard will not play for the Clippers while John Wall is probable with an ankle injury. The Clippers are the worst team in the league offensively and really got off to a slow start. They are still averaging 107.8 points per game, but have improved their efficiency. They’re converting 46.1% of field goal attempts (22nd) and 36.9% of 3-point shots (10th).
Defensively they have been really good. They are third at holding teams to 107.9 points per game and 45.3% conversion rate on field goal attempts. They are fourth in limiting teams to 33.9% on 3-point shots.
One of the reasons their defensive numbers are so good and offensive numbers are not is because of a slower pace at which they play at.
Pistons riding the tank
It’s been tough sledding for the Pistons, who lost former top pick, Cade Cunningham, for the season due to a shin injury that required surgery. It has allowed a young core to grow together, even if the results aren’t there.
The Pistons are 26th in scoring 110.6 points per game. They are 28th in converting 44.8% of field goal attempts and 23rd in making 34.3% of 3-point shots.
Defensively, they are second worst in allowing 118.3 points per game and third worst in allowing teams to make 48.6% of field goal attempts. They are, however, 12th in limiting teams to 35.5% on 3-point shots.
Jaden Ivey has improved over the course of the season. The rookie is averaging 15.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Rookie center Jalen Duren is also improving. He’s averaging 7.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.
Bojan Bogdanovic has really taken a step forward in a leading role, scoring 20.8 points per game. But they miss Cunningham, who was averaging 19.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game.
Clippers/Pistons Betting Prediction
The Clippers are 3-0-1 against the spread in the last four meetings in Detroit, but 1-3-1 against the spread in the last five meetings overall. The under has hit the last four times these teams have met.
Public betting data shows 72% of bets are on the Clippers to cover the spread while the over/under is split.
The Clippers are 6-4 against the spread when favored by 5 to 7 points, while the Pistons are 0-7 as underdogs in that range.
We’ll take Clippers -5.5.
