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NBA Betting: The Pistons are due to win tonight

Sara Jane Gamelli 5135 December 21, 2023 No Comments

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Sara Jane Gamelli

Tonight, there are eight games on the NBA slate, beginning at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET. There are several key matchups to look out for, including the Clippers vs. Thunder, Lakers vs. Timberwolves, and so on. The biggest storyline tonight among the basketball world and bettors is the Detroit Pistons. Can they break their 24 game losing streak tonight against the Jazz? In this article, I've provided my best picks for tonight. While I took them as straight bets, you can group them into a parlay. Here you will find the NBA betting odds, stats, trends, player prop bets, and predictions for Thursday, Dec. 21.

NBA Daily Game Odds for 12/21

*Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Jazz (+110) @ Pistons (-2)(-130): O/U 235
Pelicans (-2.5) (-142) @ Cavaliers (+120): O/U 229
Pacers (+114) @ Grizzlies (-2.5) (-135): O/U 247
Spurs (+185) @ Bulls (-5.5) (-225): O/U 228.5
Magic (+285) @ Bucks (-9) (-360): O/U 237
Clippers(+154) @ Thunder (-4.5)(-185): O/U 236
Lakers (+205) @ Timberwolves (-6.5)(-250): O/U 225
Wizards (+150) @ Trail Blazers (-4)(-180): O/U 241

Bet #1 Pistons Money Line

(Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Detroit Pistons (2-25, 1-12 home) will host the Utah Jazz (10-18, 2-13 away) tonight. Currently on a 24 game losing skid, the Pistons set a record for the longest losing streak in franchise history. Just 2-25, Detroit last had a 118-102 victory over the Chicago Bulls back on Oct. 28. While we haven't seen this sort of losing streak since the Cavaliers in 2010-2011 (26 games), the 76ers hold the NBA record with a 28 game losing streak back in 2015 (two seasons).

Although the Pistons are now favored by -2 and the money line at -110, I loved this pick even before the line shift. If the Pistons don't get the victory tonight, they will play the Nets, twice, followed by matchups against the Celtics and Raptors. Yes, the Pistons are historically bad, but let's break down some reasons why they can take the money line tonight.

Night after night, bettors have cashed out by simply betting against Pistons money line. With two sole wins over the Charlotte Hornets and Chicagon Bulls, this team hasn't come close to victories in several games. In fact, they lead the NBA with a league worse -11.9 point differential, slightly worse than the San Antonio Spurs. Not making excuses for the Pistons, however, they haven't had the easiest schedule. If you were to look at the current standings, 16 of their last 25 matchups came against teams over .500. Through the stretch, Detroit matched up with Milwaukee and Philadelphia a combined five times. In addition, 12 of their 25 losses came on the road.

Most recently, Detroit is coming off a 130-124 loss against Atlanta, in which Cade Cunningham put up a career-high 43 points. On the younger side, the Pistons average player age is just 24.87, which ranks 8th behind the Spurs, Thunder, Hornets, Trail Blazers, Magic, Jazz, and Pacers. While we can't simply use age as an excuse, Detroit simply hasn't played well. The return of Bojan Bogdanovich should provide a huge spark to help Cunningham, who leads the team in 22.2 points per game. While Marcus Sasser and Ausar Thompson were fantastic draft picks, they need time to develop their game offensively. With Killian Hayes getting 21 starts this season, it will be intriguing if they put Jaden Ivy back in the stating lineup.

The Jazz are terrible on the road

Once a top team a few years back, the Jazz have been disappointing, sitting at 10-18, and 4th in the Northwest Division. Much like the Pistons, Utah is a young team, that's centered around Lauri Markkanen, along it's unclear if he will be traded by the deadline. Coming off a 124-116 loss against the Cavaliers, the Jazz are 4-6 in their last 10 games. They are 8-5 at home, whereas Utah is 2-13 on the road.

Now, I'm not simply picking the Pistons to win outright because I feel bad for them. Not a great offensive team, the Pistons only average 108.9 points per game. Who else is just as inefficient offensively? The Utah Jazz with 112.3 points per matchup. As both teams rank towards the bottom in that category, in terms of shooting percentages, Detroit and Utah are ranked 24th and 25th in opponent points per game. Both allow nearly the same three-point percentage (38 %), and rank near the bottom offensively and defensively the last 10 games.

The Jazz have key players out tonight

Besides tonight, the Pistons have only been favorites three times, against the Wizards and Trail Blazers. With Hayes and Stewart trending towards suiting up tonight, Detroit will still be without their big man, Jalen Duren. For the Jazz, they've struggled with injuries as well to Jordan Clarkson and Keyonte George. Coming off zero days of rest, Utah is 1-4, averaging 106.8 points per game on 33.3 percent three-point shooting.

Coming off a few days rest, Detroit has a similar matchup, except this time they have home court advantage. Overall, the Jazz are 14-14 against the spread, and Detroit, 10-17-0.

With the series split last year, the Pistons will face the Jazz for the first time this season. While Utah is a better team, they also have a terrible win/loss record on the road. Dropping two of their last three games, the Jazz allowed Cleveland to dominate on the boards, as well as assists.

I just received a report from Rotowire, where Markkanen, Yurtseven, Horton-Tucker, George, and Clarkson are all ruled out for tonights game. If you're betting on the NBA, I'm betting on the Detroit Pistons to snap their 24 game losing streak. Tonight, they should be able to hang against an injury riddled team on a back-to-back game.

Bet #2 Bojan Bogdanovich 2+ 3PTM

Season Stats PPG: 21.1 | FG: 49.6 % | 3 PT: 42.4 % | FT: 75.7 % | REB: 2.3 | AST: 2.5 | STL: 1.1 | BLK: 0

Veteran Bojan Bogdanovich has already made an impact 8 games into the season. Providing a huge boost offensively, averaging over 20 points per game, he will get a chance against his former team tonight.

In Mondays's 130-124 loss agains the Hawks, the forward added 25 points, on 5-9 three-point shooting. Ever since coming back from injury, he's been a solid starter and consistent contributor on the offensive end for Detroit.

If you're betting on the NBA, this prop is a slight risk, only since Bogdanovich hasn't played many games this season. However, he's hit 2 plus three pointers in 7 of his first 8 games, which is a 88 percent hit rate. While this prop had a 64 % percent hit rate last season, the forward has seven made three pointers in the last two matchups, against the Hawks, and the Bucks. Having hit the over in five straight games against the Pacers, 76ers, Bucks, and Hawks, I simply can't fade this prop tonight.

Given the Pistons have home court advantage, Bogdanovich has been extremely effective in front of the home crowd. A 100 percent hit rate in four home matchups, No. 44 faces a Jazz defense that allows the 24th worst three-point percentage (38 percent). Especially with all the injuries, including Markannen, he shouldn't have any issues hitting this prop.

Mentioned above, Utah isn't the best defensively, allowing 119.7 points, and 14.6 three-point attempts per game. Over the last two weeks, this a team that's allowed Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Mikal Bridges, Harrison Barnes, Toumani Camara, and Kawhi Leonard to all make 2+ three-pointers made.

Additionally, Bogdanovich has a 100 percent hit rate when averaging 31.8 minutes per game. After coming off a 39 minute performance, he's averaging 31.4 minutes in his return. Also, it was a great call by head coach Monty Williams by putting him back with the first unit.

In his last matchup against the Jazz in 2022, No. 44 had two made three pointers. With Cunningham running the point, there should be plenty of opportunities for him in the corner three or from deep. Look for him to be ready in transition or off ball screens tonight. Through 8 games, he's shooting an incredible 42.4 percent from long range, and shoots over 41 percent from downtown at home. I also love this prop given his volume of shooting. Averaging 14.6 attempts per game, the forward is also putting up over 7 three-point attempts per game.

Bonus Bets:
*Clippers +7.5
*Daniel Gafford O 1.5 Blocks

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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at Ballislife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.

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