Detroit is bringing their post-All-Star break excellence to LA to take on the Clippers. With the Clippers suffering a couple of critical injuries, they’re coming in short-handed on the second night of a back-to-back. Falling to Detroit only a couple of weeks ago, we’ll see if LA can hang on and topple one of the hottest teams in the league.
Isaiah Stewart Probable
Tobias Harris Out
Ron Harper Jr Out
Ben Simmons Questionable
Derrick Jones Jr Questionable
Kawhi Leonard Out
Norman Powell Out
The Clippers have been fumbling recently. Losing six of their last seven games, they’ve struggled to close teams out. In their game last night against the Sun, they outscored by 21 points in the 4th to lose. This veteran team is slowing down as the wear and tear of the season stacks up. As they slip down the standings, the situation in LA continues to grow more desperate. Unfortunately for them, tonight’s matchup won’t give them much relief.
Detroit has been one of the best basketball stories of the year. This team is finally hitting its potential. Cade Cunningham has been elite, leading this team to one of its best records in the 2020s. They’ve become real threats in the East as they cement themselves as a playoff team.
This matchup is tough for LA. Playing against a mix of vets and springy young guys, the Clippers struggle in high-paced games. Detroit was able to beat them 106-97 at home. Tonight won’t be any easier as Detroit continues to chew up anyone in front of them.
The biggest worry for the Clippers will be Cade Cunningham. He torched them for 32 last time they played, and they’ll struggle to contain him tonight. He lived at the free-throw line, attacking the basket, and draw fouls at will. Detroit will probably walk away with this one if he can do that tonight.
For the Clippers to have a chance in this one, they’ll need an electric shooting night out of Harden. He’s been a bit hit or miss this season, but he still has the talent to give you an epic game now and then. They’ll need that game now. Other than Harden, they’ll simply have to control the pace. If they can face Detroit in their set defense most of the night, they might have a chance at stopping him.
Overall, this game is looking good for Detroit. As the odds favorite, they seem like a solid bet tonight as they continue to shake things up.
Money line: DET (-198) / LAC (+164)
Total Points: 220
Spread: -4.5 DET (-112) / +4.5 LAC (-108)
As one of the hottest teams right now, it’s hard not to bet on Detroit every night. They’ve only lost one of their last 11 games. This group is looking solid. The Clippers, on the other hand, are stuck with some injuries. With Powell and potential Leonard out tonight, this should be a game the Pistons can win.
The Clippers just don’t play fast enough to get to 220. Detroit has been putting up big numbers recently, but in their last game against the Clippers, the total score was only 203. This game won’t hit 220 unless it’s a runaway blowout.
Detroit is, again, the best bet here. They’ve been dominating left and right. A 5-point margin of victory should be doable. It was close in their last game, but other than the loss to Denver, they’ve managed to win their games by at least 5 or more.
Cade continues his run as one of the best PGs in the league this year. He’s been scoring at will, with his last game against the Clippers getting him 32 points. He lived at the free throw line, cashing 10-12 there. If he can get to the line that frequently again, he’ll be in a great position to hit this line.
Even though Harden will have the ball in his hands most of the time tonight, the 25-point mark looks challenging. In his last matchup against Detroit, he only managed 18. Considering he’ll be drawing most of the defensive attention tonight, he’ll likely be more of a playmaker than a scorer.
Even though Zubac has been the leading rebounder on the Clippers and one of the best in the entire league, 13 boards look high tonight. He’s had to pick up a more significant role with Leonard and Powell out, which has upped his scoring, but he is spreading the boards around. He did get 15 when he played Detroit last time, but 6 were an offense, which he probably won’t replicate tonight.
Schroder has been so up and down this year shooting. He’s only hit 2 threes in a game twice since becoming a Piston. He just doesn’t get the attempts of the time on the court to hit these. I’d expect more of the same out of Schroder tonight.