Cleveland Cavaliers @ Detroit Pistons - February 5, 2025

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons are set to clash in what promises to be an intriguing matchup at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday. As the oddsmakers have indicated, the Cavaliers open as -6.5-point favorites, with a total of 236 points for the game. This preview will break down what we can expect based on recent performances and statistical trends.

Starting with the Cavaliers, they boast an impressive record of 40-10 straight up (SU) and 33-17 against the spread (ATS). Their recent form shows that they are riding a wave of confidence, going 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five games. Notably, they’ve scored an average of 122.6 points per game while shooting a robust 50% from the field and nearly 40% from beyond the arc. Their offensive prowess is complemented by solid ball movement, averaging around 29 assists per game.

Defensively, Cleveland has been equally effective, allowing only about 112 points per game while securing approximately 44 rebounds and generating over eight steals each outing. They commit fewer fouls compared to their opponents which helps them maintain defensive integrity without sending teams to the free-throw line excessively.

On the other side of this rivalry, we have the Detroit Pistons with a balanced record of 25-25 SU and slightly better than even at 25-24-1 ATS. However, their recent performance has left much to be desired; they’ve gone just 2-4 both SU and ATS in their last six outings. Offensively, Detroit averages around 112.3 points per game on a shooting percentage hovering near 47%. While they also shoot reasonably well from three-point range at about 36%, their struggles come when it matters most—especially in tight games where execution becomes critical.

Defensively speaking, Detroit gives up roughly similar numbers as Cleveland but has shown vulnerabilities that could be exploited tonight: they allow opposing teams to grab nearly as many rebounds as themselves while committing over twenty fouls per game—indicative of potential issues defending without fouling.

Given these statistics and trends leading into this matchup, I predict that the Cavaliers will emerge victorious against the Pistons tonight—and importantly—they will cover that -6.5 point spread comfortably given their superior scoring ability coupled with solid defense.

In terms of total points scored (Over/Under), I anticipate this matchup will trend towards being under due to both teams’ defensive capabilities combined with Cleveland’s propensity for efficient scoring but not necessarily at an unsustainable pace like we’ve seen in some high-scoring affairs recently.

To summarize my predictions: expect a win for Cleveland covering the spread while also leaning towards an under outcome for total points scored based on current team dynamics and performance metrics heading into this divisional showdown.