Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Predictions, Picks and Preview – 2016 NBA Playoffs – Eastern Conference First Round Game Two – April 20, 2016

Another intriguing finish could be in store for us in the second game of the first-round series matchup between the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Both clubs were neck-and-neck in Game 1, and the Cavs only managed to pull away in the final period. It’s clear that the young guns of the Motor City definitely have what it takes to compete with LeBron James and co., but can the Pistons take a bigger step and get the win in Game 2?

Read on below for a closer look at this Eastern Conference bout. And while you’re at it, check out our preview of Game 2 between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks or Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Betting Preview

Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

When: Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 8:00 PM ET

Line: Cleveland Cavaliers (-10) vs. Detroit Pistons (+10); total: 201.0– view all NBA lines

TV Broadcast: TNT

Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers

One year after carrying the Cavaliers all the way to the NBA Finals, LeBron James can take big sigh of relief that he won’t have to do it alone again thanks to a healthy Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love by his side.

Irving wasted no time in making a huge impact in his first playoff appearance since being injured in last year’s Finals. He erupted for a game-high of 31 points along with five boards and six assists to his name.

Love, meanwhile, added 28 points and 13 rebounds while also knocked down five three-point baskets. He and Irving will certainly be trying to replicate this performance, and take advantage of Detroit’s poor interior defense (44.3 points allowed per game).

Of course, James, who tallied 22 points and 11 assists in the opener, is bound for another promising outing in Game 2. The four-time MVP is averaging 24.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.8 dimes across 48 career games against the Pistons.

On defense though, the Cavs need to provide a better effort. They allowed the Pistons to shoot around 50 percent from the field, including 15-of-29 from beyond the arc, during Game 1. That obviously cannot be the case again if the Cavs want to head over to the Motor City with a 2-0 lead in the series.

Cleveland is 7-3 SU and 4-6 ATS in its previous 10 home games.

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Betting on the Detroit Pistons

In spite of the lack in experience, the Pistons were actually able to almost shock us with an upset in Game 1, and they did it through their hot shooting.

Detroit collectively shot 50.7 percent from the field and was really lethal from down town, converting 15-of-29 attempts. This was mostly thanks to the pair of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Marcus Morris, who scored 21 and 20 points, respectively.

Moreover, Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond can definitely attest to the Pistons’ solid efforts in the series opener as well. The two combined for 30 points and Jackson, in particular, did his part in creating plays for his teammates with a team-high of seven dimes.

As mentioned earlier though, this Detroit team still has a lot of growing up to do, and that’s precisely why Cleveland was able to draw first blood. The Pistons failed to deliver the goods down the stretch, as they were outscored in final quarter, 30-23.

Lastly, Stan Van Gundy’s boys will need to tighten up their defense. In particular, they need to contain the Cavs’ superstars-trio of LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. Those three torched Detroit with 81 points, 24 rebounds and 18 assists combined in Game 1.

Detroit, which is giving up 101.4 points per contest in the regular season, is 6-4 ATS in its last 10 road games.

Writer’s Prediction

The Cavs take Game 2, but they don’t cover the spread.