The top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers look to sweep the season series against the upstart Detroit Pistons.

Catch the game tomorrow at 7:00 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Cleveland Cavaliers (59-14, 28-9 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Darius Garland
  • Donovan Mitchell
  • Isaac Okoro
  • Evan Mobley
  • Jarrett Allen

The Cavaliers are on the second night of a back-to-back, which is always a challenge. Then again, they are no. 1 for a reason. Also, they are 3-0 vs. the Pistons this season, two of which came by 12 and 19 points.

Entering as winners of three in a row, the Cavs will simply continue parading one of the most complete lineups in the league. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are dynamic guards that provide scoring and facilitating, twin towers Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen anchor the paint, with the former being a top candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, and they are then complemented by a host of ‘3 and D’ weapons, mainly DeAndre Hunter and Max Strus. As we’ve seen all season, it’s been quite the squad for any opponent.

Cleveland boasts a top-rated offense that ranks second in points per game (122.2 PPG) and first in offensive rating. We should continue witnessing them as such.

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HOME: Detroit Pistons (41-32, 20-16 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Cade Cunningham
  • Malik Beasley
  • Ausar Thompson
  • Tobias Harris
  • Jalen Duren

The Pistons have simply looked stronger and stronger in the second half of the season. They have won four of their last five games, and are now 16-6 since February 8th, compiling 121.7 points with a +11 net rating in that timeframe.

It’s great that confidence is at a high because they need all that in trying to avoid a season series sweep in the hands of the Cavaliers. All-Star Cade Cunningham is netting 31.0 points and 7.3 assists in three outings vs. CLE this season, and he’ll once again look good to deliver such numbers. Hopefully, though, he can have better support from others. Pretty much everyone has had trouble on the Cavs – Malik Beasley, Jalen Duren, Tim Hardaway Jr., and, most notably, Tobias Harris, who’s at 6.7 PPG  on a woeful 25.9% shooting in the head-to-head.

Detroit is fifth in the East parading a young squad with growing confidence, but they’ll have to show up against teams like the Cavs to further their presence in the conference.

PICKS:

Spread: Pistons (+6.5)

Over/Under: Over (230.5)

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