NBA Predictions: Will LeBron, Cavaliers race past Pistons? 3/5/18

Pistons vs. Cavaliers Pick

Are LeBron James and the host Cleveland Cavaliers going to protect their home court and cover the spread tonight at 7PM ET against the Detroit Pistons?

701 Detroit Pistons at 702 Cleveland Cavaliers, 7PM ET

CURRENT ODDS

According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Cavaliers are a 6-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 219.5 points.

Bet NBA Action For Monday, March 5, 2018

LINE MOVEMENT

Cleveland opened as a 7-point favorite before the line dropped by a point, while the total is at the 219.5 where it opened. It seems most books have the line at either -5.5 or -6, but it can also be found at -6.5 or even -7 at a couple books. The total is almost exclusively at 219.5, but I also see it at 218.5 and 219.

PUBLIC BETTING

As of Monday afternoon, 54 percent of public bets are coming in on the Cavaliers. Online wager info also shows that 58 percent of bets are siding with the over.

INJURY TO WATCH

Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson is recovering from a severely sprained ankle and is eying a mid-March return. For the Cavaliers, Tristan Thompson is expected to miss multiple games with a right ankle sprain. Jeff Green missed the last game with lower back soreness and will not play tonight.

BETTING STRATEGY

Cleveland only has one straight up win in its last four games and hasn't covered the spread in any of them, but I like the hosts in this spot. Detroit has been dreadful on the road with a 9-21 straight up record. The Cavaliers will also want some revenge from the last meeting when an undermanned Detroit squad managed to run to a 125-114 home victory in the first game following the Blake Griffin trade. Cleveland had covered the spread against the Pistons the previous three meetings before that one and I expect them to return to form in the series tonight.

NBA DAILY PREDICTION: CLEVELAND CAVALIERS -6

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