NBA: Brooklyn Nets vs. Detroit Pistons Preview, Odds, Prediction

The Brooklyn Nets and the Detroit Pistons meet once again, a few days since their first matchup. The difference is that the Nets travel to Michigan this time. The biggest favorites for winning the title are on a three-game winning streak, yet the event in Detroit marks the start of a very tough stretch that will see Steve Nash’s boys playing several straight road games. Meanwhile, the Pistons are getting used to having the top pick from this draft, Cade Cunningham, in the lineup.

Preview

Brooklyn Nets (5-3, -475) have defeated the Pacers, Pistons and the Hawks at home in the past few days. The most recent matchup against the Hawks ended with a 117-108 victory of the Nets, who had 22 hits from downtown in 48 shots. Even though Atlanta had an edge on the glass, with 10 boards more, 52-42, the hosts were clinical from long-distance, which was the key to winning.

Joe Harris was sharp with only two misses in eight three-point tries, while James Harden added five more hits. Patty Mills came off the bench to score four, and further extended the pressure on the Hawks’ backcourt.

Kevin Durant played 36 minutes and had 32 points with seven boards, Haris scored 18, and Harden had 16, plus 11 dimes. Patty Mills ended the night with 14 and six assists, and the Aussie is slowly earning a more and more important role in Nash’s rotation. With him in the lineup, Harden can play on shooting guard, which will be used frequently throughout the campaign.

Detroit Pistons (1-7, +360) are on a three-game losing skid, with the latest one being against the 76ers this Thursday night. Though in all three games, the Pistons had very tough rivals – Nets, Bucks, and at last Philly.

In all those event, the Pistons haven’t been able to reach 100 points, and when looking at the statistics, their offense is among the worst in the league. They score 95.1 points, which is 30th in the NBA, and have terrible shooting percentages – 26.7% for three and 39.5% FG.

Cunningham had 18 points and 10 boards against the 76ers, but hitting just one of seven three-point attempts. On the other side, he was calm on the free-throw line, missing one of 10 shots. Jerami Grant scored 27 buckets with six boards and four assists, and Kelly Olynik had 11 points.

Head to Head Games

The first game took place four days ago, and the Nets didn’t have any trouble at home to defeat the Pistons, 117-91. Everything was pretty much solved in the first half, because Brooklyn took a 15-point lead. Durant scored 23 points, Harden had a triple-double with 18 buckets, 12 assists, and 10 boards, while on the other side, Cory Joseph had a team-high 13 points, which tells a lot about the way Pistons played.

Prediction

The spread on the Nets is -10, and they will reach that without any problems. Brooklyn is a far superior team in all aspects of the game, and the fact that Detroit plays at home and has Cunningham won’t erase the difference between these two sides. Therefore, our definite pick is Brooklyn to cover the spread and post another win.

Pick: Nets -10