Why the Pistons at -3.5 is the play as the NBA Playoffs second round gets underway in Detroit

The NBA Playoffs had their 2nd circular statesman Monday. We were treated to 2 games, and 1 was importantly amended than the other. That astir apt should beryllium the anticipation for Tuesday's slate arsenic well. Regardless of however the crippled goes, if we tin currency immoderate betting slips, that's truly the main extremity here. I expect the Cavaliers vs. Pistons to beryllium a much entertaining crippled tonight, and I person a stake for america connected the game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a spot of a makeover this season, but the archetypal circular of the playoffs was fundamentally the aforesaid result they've ever had. They exchanged Darius Garland for James Harden and Dennis Schroder. That didn't hap successful the aforesaid trade, but it did springiness the squad a caller look aft starting the twelvemonth with Garland, Lonzo Ball, and DeAndre Hunter. This squad volition lone spell arsenic acold arsenic Harden and Donovan Mitchell volition instrumentality it.

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden speech during Game 2 successful the archetypal circular of the 2026 NBA Playoffs vs. the Toronto Raptors astatine Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse successful Ohio. (David Dermer/Imagn Images)

In the archetypal round, the Cavaliers looked similar a truly atrocious team. They won 4 games astatine location and mislaid each 3 roadworthy games. In fairness to them, they had astatine slightest 2 of those games successful Toronto that were winnable. While they won games astatine home, they didn't precisely predominate the Raptors. Game 7 was reasonably sweat free, with a 12-point win, but they were fortunate not to person Brandon Ingram suit up for Toronto. I spot some Evan Mobley and Harden arsenic the keys to winning this bid for the Cavaliers.

The Detroit Pistons were fixed a spot of a wake-up call. They came into the playoffs arsenic the No. 1 effect successful the Eastern Conference, but they looked thing but the portion of a ascendant squad successful the opening round. They hosted the Magic and mislaid the opener. Then they mislaid 2 of the adjacent 3 games, going down 3-1 successful the series. They won, arsenic expected successful Game 5 astatine home, but Game 6 was wild. They were down and looked retired of it successful the 2nd half. The Magic scored conscionable 19 points successful the 2nd half, and Detroit forced Game 7.

Detroit Pistons defender Cade Cunningham dribbles the shot portion Indiana Pacers defender Ethan Thompson defends during the 2nd fractional astatine Gainbridge Fieldhouse successful Indianapolis, Ind., connected April 12, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)

In Game 7, the Pistons locked successful and were successful power from the tip. It was an epic illness from the Magic, and astir apt a catastrophe that outgo their manager his job. The Pistons ended up winning by 22. They extended their manager arsenic a result. Interestingly enough, JB Bickerstaff, the coach, was fired by Cleveland successful portion owed to a deficiency of playoff success. He should beryllium precise acquainted with the Cavs players and their strengths and weaknesses. I'd expect him to beryllium an X-factor if helium tin exploit the weaknesses.

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In this series, you person to expect that Mitchell and Cade Cunningham volition cancel each different retired from a scoring perspective. Jarrett Allen and Mobley volition supply a large assortment of defence for Jalen Duren. The Pistons' vantage volition beryllium Tobias Harris. For the Cavaliers, Mobley volition beryllium a pugnacious matchup. Harden is besides a feline who mightiness beryllium capable to get immoderate mismatches.

Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons smiles aft the crippled against the Toronto Raptors astatine Little Caesars Arena successful Detroit, Mich., connected Dec. 30, 2023. (Chris Schwegler/NBAE)

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This is the tightest bid successful presumption of pricing, with the Pistons being flimsy favorites. Three of the 4 games were precise choky successful the regular season, with each 3 being decided by 4 oregon less points. They some won 2 games, 1 connected the roadworthy and 1 astatine home. I don't expect this to beryllium a antiaircraft series. It isn't the crippled either of them truly wants to play. I deliberation the Pistons are locked in, though. I haven't seen overmuch that's large from the Cavaliers connected the roadworthy successful the playoffs. Give maine the Pistons -3.5 here.

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