Detroit Pistons vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
| Game Time | 8:30 pm EST |
| Detroit Pistons Line | +5.5 |
| Denver Nuggets Line | -5.5 |
| Total | 229.5 |
| TV: | NBA TV |
Below is a detailed analysis for Detroit Pistons vs Denver Nuggets game.
PREGAME WARM-UP:
The surprisingly red-hot Detroit Pistons are on their fourth and final stop of a four-game road trip in the Western Conference, as they visit the Denver Nuggets. The Pistons have shockingly won all previous three road games, as they have been significantly better on the road than at home this season. The Nuggets are on the second leg of a back-to-back, and are coming off a loss on Christmas Day that snapped their previous two-game winning streak. Denver has been playing much better lately, with just two defeats in their last seven games.
Detroit Pistons vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
Denver Nuggets Injury Report: Jamal Murray, Daron Holmes and Vlatko Cancar are out
Detroit Pistons Injury Report: Isiah Stewart is day-to-day
Denver Nuggets Form and Trends
The Nuggets have a 16-12 record this season and are sitting on the 5th place of the West. Denver is 11-16-1 against the spread and 17-10-1 in over/under. The Nuggets have an 8-4 home record but are 5-6-1 against the spread with a +4-point differential. Denver is 5-2 in their last 7 games, but 1-3 against the spread in their last 4. Under is 3-0 in their last 3 home games.
Denver is coming off a 100-110 loss in Phoenix, as they shot with 48% from the field but with just 28% from beyond the arc. Nikola Jokic led Denver’s offense with 25 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, but dished only two assists.
Jokic leads Denver in scoring with an average of 30.7 points, in rebounding with 12.6 and in assists made with 9.4. Jamal Murray adds 18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
Detroit Pistons Recent Form and Trends
The Pistons have a 14-17 record this season and are sitting on the 9th place of the East. Detroit is 16-14-1 against the spread and 17-14 in over/under. The Pistons have a 9-9 road record, but are 11-6-1 against the spread, with a -0.1-point differential. The Pistons are 4-1 in their last 5 games and 6-2 against the spread in their last 8. Over is 11-3 in their last 14 games.
The Pistons are coming off another big 114-113 road win in Sacramento, even though they shot much worse than the Kings from the field (42% to 48%). Cade Cunningham led Detroit’s offense with 33 points, 3 rebounds and a game-high 10 assists.
Cunningham leads the Pistons both in scoring with 24.2 points and in assists made with 9.7 per game, adding 6.9 rebounds per game. Jaden Ivey adds 17.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
Statistical Breakdown
Offensively, the Nuggets are averaging 119.1 points per game, which is the third-best in the NBA. Denver shoots with 49.6% from the field, which is the second-best in the NBA, and with 37.6% from beyond the arc, which is the fifth-best in the league. Defensively, they are allowing 116.1 points per game, which ranks 23rd in the NBA.
Offensively, the Pistons average 111.9 point per game, ranking 18th in the league. Detroit shooting with 46.5% from the field (12th), and 36.4% from beyond the arc (17th). Defensively, they are allowing 114.5 points per game, which ranks 20th in the NBA.
The Nuggets are 8-1 in their last 9 meetings against the Pistons, but the Pistons are 4-2 against the spread in their last 6 meetings. Under is 4-1 in their last 5 meetings.
Prediction
In this Detroit Pistons vs Denver Nuggets Prediction, the Nuggets are coming as -5.5 home favorites. The Nuggets are rightfully favored, as they are the better team throughout the season, but they are on the second leg of a back-to-back, and have been below average in covering at home, with 5-6-1 against the spread. On the other hand, the Pistons have been red-hot in this Western road trip, and I see no reason to bet against them. They have won three straight games and have been 4-2 against the spread against the Nuggets. Ride the hot hand and take the Detroit Pistons and lay the points on the road. Nick’s Free Pick: Detroit Pistons +5.5
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