NBA: Detroit Pistons vs. Golden State Warriors Preview, Odds, Prediction

After a big win over the champions, the LA Lakers, Detroit Pistons head for the Bay Area to meet with the Golden State Warriors. They come to Chase Center as the absolute underdogs, with just five wins in 19 matches, but still hope to make a big upset against not so consistent hosts. For the Warriors, this is a perfect opportunity to improve their record and head towards the playoffs. Steve Kerr’s boys will need to beat rivals like Detroit, otherwise, the postseason will be just a dream for the Dub Nation.

Preview

Detroit Pistons (+190, 5-14) have trashed the Lakers on Thursday night, 107-92, but we need to say that the purple and gold played without Anthony Davis. It was of great help for the home team who used that in the best possible way. Especially Blake Griffin.

One of the most attractive players in the past 10 years dropped 23 points, but with five three-pointers made, along with six dimes. Griffin isn’t the rim-rocking type of player anymore, but a slow and patient veteran who lost much of his physicality. Yet, he changed his game, adapting to the new circumstances perfectly.

Wayne Ellington is a Golden-State-like player, with the guard becoming only the eighth player in the NBA history with seven consecutive matches in which he made at least four triplets. The newcomer, Jerami Grant, is the team leader now, with 23.8 buckets, and as time goes by, the athletic forward will only get better.

Golden State Warriors (-210, 10-9) are coming off a loss in Phoenix, 114-93, following back-to-back wins at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. We need to say that the biggest reason for the loss in Arizona was the terrible three-point shooting, as the Warriors made just 11 of their 38 attempts from downtown.

Steph Curry was solid with 30 buckets and hitting half of his 10 long-distance shots, but the other players were, the least to say, mediocre. Andrew Wiggins had 16 points and Eric Paschall 12.

Kelly Oubre Jr. once again disappointed with just 4 points, and 1-of-11 shooting from the field. His name appeared in the media, who suggested that the Warriors might trade him. Later on, Kerr denied such rumors, but if Oubre continues to play like this, we just might see him leaving the Bay Area pretty soon.

Head to Head Games

The first match of the year took place in Detroit two days before the New Year. It ended with the Warriors defeating the Pistons, 116-106, primarily due to an excellent finish that saw them pulling away from the home team who didn’t have a single point at the time.

Prediction

The spread on the Warriors is -5 or -6 depending on the bookmaker, but believe us when we say, that one point won’t make a big difference. Warriors are a better team, and they will probably win this match by a double-digit margin. Detroit has just one win in eight road games, and that record won’t be improved following Saturday’s events. Go with Warriors covering the spread, and if you have that option with an extended spread, +9.5 points.