NBA Picks Friday 4/22/2016 – CLE vs. DET

Pick #1 – Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons​

Detroit is down 0-2 but finally gets a home game in the Motor City so we have to think there is going to be some extra inventive to come out swinging tonight and expesicially if you ask someone like Lebron trash talker Stanley Johnson. Both the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to pick up this key win but the Cavs come into this game much hotter taking 7 out of their last 10 games in the win/loss category while the Pistons are a mediocre 5-5-. The Detroit Pistons (44-40) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (59-25) are in must win spots but Detroit is in dire straits after already dropping two games in this playoff series. Neither team is reporting any real injuries with only the Cavaliers noting Mo Williams on the injury list. While this over/under playoff matchup has been split so far we have to like the stats and situation specific we are seeing here that really favor the OVER. Lets take a look at some of the vital numbers that can help us decide where we want to place the money tonight. The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games. The total has also gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games so we really are getting a nice lean for one side tonight and even more so that 3 of those last 6 games were against eachother. Offensive and defensive outputs when averaged over the past 10 games give us 205.7 and 200.5 respectively so making it over the 200 mark should not be a problem at all given these benchmarks and thresholds. The over/under for this NBA spread total opened at 200 and has stayed steady all day but given where the lean is to this game we have to feel confident in the OVER analysis. The Cavs have to cover a -4.5 point spread on the road so we can expect some serious points to put up tonight by both teams. The consensus for this contest is a reasonable 59% giving us even more reason to feel good about our side. A recent last game in Cleveland between these two Eastern conference foes resulted in a 106 – 101 win for the Cavs so we know these two teams are already capable of going over this mark in any given matchup. Lets stick with our read here and go with the OVER 200 which should easily reach that mark.

Game Time:
Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons - Playoffs - 1st Round, Game 3 - Friday, April 22, 2016 7:05 PM

Spread:
539 Cleveland Cavaliers -4½
540 Detroit Pistons +4½

Total:
539 Cleveland Cavaliers Over 200
540 Detroit Pistons Under 200

Betting odds provided by 5Dimes

The Pick:
OVER 200 (2 Units)

As always bet within your means and bankroll. Enjoy the games and be responsible when betting!

Picks By TexasMatt