It will be a preview of the NBA Finals when the Detroit Pistons host the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. Los Angeles is obviously a long shot to make that happen, but they are playing good basketball right now. The Lakers, who have won nine games, will be tested by the Pistons, who are on top of the Eastern Conference.
Let’s get into my Lakers vs. Pistons.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons odds
Money line: Lakers -130 / Pistons +110
Spread: Lakers -2 (-110) / Pistons -2 (-110)
Total: Over 226.5 (-110) / Under 226.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons best bet #1: Lakers -2 (-110)
Cade Cunningham has been sidelined for good with the young fella, and it remains to be seen how the Pistons will fare without him. They are 3-0 so far, but two of those wins have come against Washington and the other is against a much depleted Golden State team. There are doubts, however, about the Lakers’ nine-game winning streak. Among the scalps during this hot streak are New York, Minnesota, Denver, Houston (twice), Miami, and Orlando. Seven of the nine awards came by eight or more points. Luka Doncic has been on fire, especially in L.A. He has led his team in scoring in 16 of the past 17 contests, including a 60-point performance against the Heat last Thursday. Doncic has reached 30 points in nine straight games. Lakers are 8-1 against the spread in their last nine; The Pistons are 6-10 ATS in their last 16 games and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 at home.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons best bet #2: Over 226.5 (-110)
Los Angeles and Detroit previously met on December 30, when a total of 234 points were scored in the Pistons’ victory. The two teams could have scored more, as there were 66 points in the first quarter and 136 at the half before the Lakers and Pistons went wild in the fourth quarter of a lopsided affair. Doncic may lead Los Angeles in scoring all-time, but he doesn’t do it alone. And it shouldn’t. Austin Reaves has scored 25 or more points in five of his last eight outings. In the last three, LeBron James has one triple-double attempt and one 30-pointer. The over is 7-2-1 in the last nine H2H games and 5-2 in the Pistons last seven games.
