NBA Playoffs: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Eastern Conference Series Odds & Pick

It's not true that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons petitioned the NBA to make Game 1 of their playoff series a three-quarter game. But it would have made sense.

Both the No. 1 seed Pistons and No. 4 seed Cavaliers had to extend to a seventh game in the opening round. Both teams won at home on Sunday to advance to this matchup of former Central Division rivals.

(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

• Game Info: Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons, 7 p.m. ET, Peacock and NBCSN

Detroit has little time to celebrate its first playoff series win since 2008. That was way back when the Pistons were ending a string of six straight appearances in the conference finals. This time, Detroit seeks a sneaky-quick second round series win for a chance to host the conference finals. Who would have thought that was possible, considering Detroit lost 68 games only two seasons ago, including a record 28 losses in a row.

The Cavs are seeking to get over a personal hurdle: in each of the last two seasons, Cleveland was defeated in the conference semifinals. In each case, the Cavaliers were sent packing by the eventual Eastern Conference champs. Does that bode well for the Pistons? It will take at least four games to find out.

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NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Preview and Injury Report

Game 1 will be played at Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit on Monday, May 5.

• Detroit Injury Report:
  Swingman Kevin Huerter, who has only logged 42 minutes in the playoffs, is listed as Questionable (abductor strain) for Game 1.
• Cleveland Injury Report:
  The Cavs have no names on the official injury list.

How Detroit Can Win

As Detroit showed in Game 6 and Game 7 against the Orlando Magic, it has arguably the most suffocating defense in the NBA Playoffs. If Detroit wants to, it can clamp down on its opponent: 3rd in the league in opponent field goal percentage; 8th in the league in rebounds; 3rd in points allowed; 3rd in points allowed in the paint.

This is not an "as goes Cade Cunningham so goes the Pistons" series. As we saw in Game 7 on Sunday, the Pistons need a reliable second scoring option to be successful. Two days ago it was Tobias Harris. Who will it be in this series? There is no Big Two in Detroit. Cunningham cannot carry all the load. Yes, his teammate Jalen Duren is an All-Star, but the 22-year old has been inconsistent so far in these playoffs.

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The Pistons held the Magic to a putrid 45.6% shooting in the paint in the just-completed series. That's the lowest such figure in the postseason in seven years. Duren does deserve credit for some of that, but many of the other Detroit players, notably Ausar Thompson, who finished third in NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting, are also aggressive in rim protecting.

We should see Thompson matched up against whomever is getting hot for Cleveland, whether it's Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, or even big man Jarrett Allen. In these playoffs, Thompson is becoming a superstar, showing off his remarkably athletic skills. Few NBA players can close ground, elevate, swat away shots, and perform chest-to-chest defense like Thompson.

For Detroit to defeat Cleveland, it must handle the basketball better: the team leads the NBA Playoffs with 16.4 turnovers per game against Orlando. The Pistons foul often (22 per game) and allow the most free throw attempts (27 per game). That weakness must be shored up against Harden and Mitchell, who are adept at drawing fouls, real or imagined.

How Cleveland Can Win

The Cavs have zero fear. They are without fear. Sans fear, if you will. In the regular season, the gritty Cavaliers beat Detroit by 21 points last October in the Motor City. In its next trip to Detroit, in late February, the Cavs pushed the Pistons to overtime before succumbing 122-119. For those two road games against Detroit, Allen averaged 22.5 points. The matchup between Allen and Duren will be the most important one to watch.

The Cavaliers were second in the NBA in mid-range jumper shooting percentage, and second overall in 2-point field goal percentage. This is not a prototypical modern NBA team that buries opponents in 3-point attempts without looking for easier twos. Cleveland is expert at locating the most efficient shot. It shot 36% from beyond the arc, which is about league average. But the Cavs will take looks from mid-range, and that means Duren and the other Detroit big men will be challenged to defend everywhere.

NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals Odds for Cleveland vs. Detroit

Here are the latest odds for Cavaliers vs Pistons for Game 1 and the series, from three top basketball betting apps:

Game 1: Pistons vs Cavaliers

• Cleveland +3 at Detroit: -110 from bet365

The Pistons broke their long home playoffs losing streak in round one. Which means a victory in downtown Detroit won't be so monumental in this series. I like Cade Cunningham and Co. to win Game 1, but I'll take the three points and bet $50 on Cleveland to cover.

NBA Eastern Conference Series Odds

Prediction: Cavaliers Squeeze Past the Undisciplined Pistons

Try as might, I can't find a way to justify a bet on Detroit to win this second round NBA Playoffs series. The Pistons play gritty ball, reminiscent of the two dynasty eras of the franchise. But, this version of the team is much too sloppy. It also fails the test of "No. 2 option." There simply isn't a reliable second scorer. In a long best-of-seven series, that failure will haunt coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

I like the Cavaliers to turn the ball over fewer times than their opponent. And, I like Cleveland to take and make more free throws. I like the Cavs because they have three ways to score efficiently: inside to their big men; from mid-range slashers like Mitchell; or from beyond the 3-point line from Harden, Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, or Sam Merrill.

• Cavaliers To Win Over Detroit in Six Games: +102 from FanDuel