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Let\u2019s dive into my preview and prediction for this Saturday night matchup of these Eastern Conference opponents.<\/p>\n
Pistons at 76ers preview, prediction<\/p>\n
The Detroit Pistons remain in the top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 56-21 overall record. They enter this matchup coming off back-to-back wins and have won eight of their last 10. Detroit can officially clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a victory tonight. On the season, the Pistons have gone 41-36 against the spread, and the game total has remained under in 42 of their 77 games played. <\/p>\n
Cade Cunningham remains sidelined due to his collapsed lung, while Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris and Chaz Lanier are each questionable. Duren has taken a massive leap in his development this year, posting averages of 19.5 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Harris adds 13.1 points and 5.2 rebounds, while Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Stewart each also average in double figures. Daniss Jenkins has seen his role grow during Cunningham\u2019s absence, while Ausar Thompson, Kevin Huerter and Ron Holland also play notable roles.<\/p>\n
Detroit is scoring 117.5 points per game this season, which ranks eighth in the NBA. The Pistons also rank 10th in offensive rating, fifth in field-goal percentage and 20th in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents are scoring 109.6 points per game against the Pistons, which ranks third in the league. J.B. Bickerstaff\u2019s squad also ranks second in defensive rating, third in opponent field-goal percentage and first in opponent three-point percentage.<\/p>\n
The Philadelphia 76ers have climbed to the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 43-34 record on the season. They are currently tied with the Raptors in the standings, but they hold the tiebreaker and would earn a full playoff opportunity if the season ended today. Philadelphia is playing on the second half of a back-to-back after beating the Timberwolves last night, and it has won eight of its past 11. On the season, the 76ers have gone 42-35 against the spread, and the game total is 39-38 to the over\/under.<\/p>\n
Joel Embiid has been ruled out for tonight\u2019s matchup due to oblique injury management. Paul George is considered probable, and this would be the first back-to-back he has played in all season. George has shown a renewed energy since returning from suspension, averaging 27.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.2 steals across this five-game stretch. Tyrese Maxey leads the NBA in minutes per game and is posting averages of 28.7 points, 6.8 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game. V.J. Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Adem Bona also play key roles in the rotation.<\/p>\n
Nick Nurse\u2019s squad is averaging 116.5 points per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. The Sixers also rank 15th in offensive rating, 21st in team field-goal percentage and 22nd in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents are scoring 116.5 points per game against the Sixers, which ranks 19th in the NBA. They also rank 17th in defensive rating, 12th in opponent field-goal percentage and 12th in opponent three-point percentage.<\/p>\n
Pistons at 76ers prediction, best bet<\/p>\n
The Pistons have gotten the better of the matchup this season, with their strengths matching up with the Sixers\u2019 weaknesses. Philadelphia deserves credit for playing its best basketball down the home stretch of the season and is making a legitimate push into the playoffs. But this is a tough matchup for the Sixers under the best of circumstances, and not having Embiid changes the picture.<\/p>\n
During the most recent matchup between these two teams, which occurred on March 12, the Pistons led from wire-to-wire and stretched the lead to as large as 35. It is worth noting the Sixers were without all three of their max contract players, and Cunningham was still on the floor. But, Detroit has covered the spread in two of the three matchups with Philadelphia this year and has picked up victories in each game.<\/p>\n
There was plenty of concern surrounding the Pistons\u2019 offensive outlook following the injury to Cunningham. But they have gone 7-2 without the two-time All-Star and continue to look dangerous. Detroit has covered the spread in five straight games entering this matchup, and eight of its last nine. It is also 20-17 against the spread when playing on the road this season and 9-7 ATS with a rest advantage.<\/p>\n
The Sixers have played impressive basketball as of late, but expect the Pistons to attack the glass at a rate they struggle to contain. Philadelphia has played with all-out effort to climb the Eastern Conference standings, but count on it running out of gas a bit in the second half of a back-to-back against superior competition. Expect this to remain a competitive matchup throughout, but for the Pistons to have more left in the tank and pick up their fourth victory in this matchup this season. Count on Detroit winning and covering the narrow spread to officially clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n