While the Dallas Mavericks have become one of the most disappointing stories of the NBA season, the Detroit Pistons have emerged as one of the most pleasant surprises. After finishing last season with a league-low 14 wins, Detroit is now sitting at 35-27 and is heading toward one of the biggest turnarounds in NBA history.
However, the betting market hasn’t fully caught up with the Pistons’ success. They are 35-25-2 against the spread (ATS), ranking fourth best in the league. This includes an impressive 8-1 ATS run over their last nine games, and there’s little reason to believe they will slow down anytime soon
On Wednesday, the Pistons will visit the Los Angeles Clippers as small favorites. I’m backing the Pistons to continue their strong run, following a solid 30-16 ATS record in The Post’s sports section.
The Clippers are in a downward spiral, having lost six of their last seven games, including a road defeat to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Things are made worse by injuries to key players Norm Powell and Derrick Jones Jr. Powell is unlikely to play against the Pistons, while Jones is questionable. Additionally, Kawhi Leonard is unable to play on consecutive nights, so he will also miss the game.
This leaves the Clippers as an average team, at best. James Harden is their main offensive weapon, but he’s been notoriously unreliable. Center Ivica Zubac is solid but often overlooked, and role players like Kris Dunn, Nicolas Batum, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Amir Coffey are skilled but have limited upside.
On the other hand, the Pistons are much more talented than many casual fans realize. Rising star Cade Cunningham will be the best player on the court, and the team has great pieces surrounding him. The bench, once a weakness, has improved over the season and is now a strength.
The Pistons have scored at least 112 points in 15 of their last 16 games. The only exception was a home game against the Clippers, who boast a tough defense and rank fourth in defensive efficiency. However, Detroit ranks ninth in offensive efficiency, and the gap in these rankings heavily favors the Pistons. This is a key factor, especially with the Clippers playing on consecutive nights and having to travel.
