Denver Nuggets vs Detroit Pistons Picks and Predictions December 28th 2024

Denver Nuggets vs Detroit Pistons December 28th 2024

At 9:00 ET, the Detroit Pistons (14-17) will travel to take on the Denver Nuggets (16-13) at Ball Arena. The Nuggets (-222) are currently favored by 5.5 points over the Pistons (+184). This non-conference matchup will be shown on ALT.

Detroit comes into this game on a three-game win streak, while Denver has dropped two straight. The Pistons are currently 9th in the Eastern Conference, while the Nuggets sit 7th in the West.

Pistons vs. Nuggets Key Information

The Pistons improved to 14-17 on the season with a 114-113 road win over the Kings on Thursday. Detroit entered the game as +5 point underdogs and covered the spread with the win. The total points for the game landed exactly on the O/U line of 227.

After the Kings went on an 11-0 run early, Detroit found themselves down 31-20. Sacramento extended their lead to 91-77 heading into the 4th quarter, but the Pistons stormed back, outscoring the Kings 37-22 in the final period to complete the comeback.

The Pistons shot just 41.8% from the field in their win over the Kings, but they connected on 17 threes at a 38.6% clip. Cade Cunningham led the way with 33 points and 10 assists, hitting 4 threes despite shooting 37.5% overall.

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Malik Beasley added 22 points, making 6 threes at 54.5%. Jaden Ivey contributed 19 points, knocking down 3 threes at 42.9%. Cunningham scored 12 points in the 1st quarter, while Beasley and Ivey each added 8 points in the 4th.

Despite a rough start, the Pistons tightened up defensively in the 2nd half, allowing just 23 points in the 3rd quarter and 22 in the 4th to secure a 114-113 win over the Kings. Detroit gave up 113 points on 47% shooting from the field.

The Pistons held Sacramento to 14 made threes on 35% shooting from deep. They also sent the Kings to the line 26 times, where they hit 21 free throws. Detroit finished with 34 defensive rebounds, gave up 8 offensive boards, and recorded 6 steals and 4 blocks.

The Nuggets dropped to 16-13 on the season after a 149-135 loss to the Cavaliers on Friday. Denver, who were +3.5 point underdogs at home, failed to cover the spread. The game’s total of 284 points went well over the pre-game line of 236.5.

After a close 1st quarter (40-38), the Cavs went on a 16-0 run, stretching the score from 53-52 to 69-52. They outscored Denver 40-27 in the 2nd quarter. The Nuggets couldn’t close the gap, trailing 116-101 going into the 4th, despite outscoring the Cavs 34-33 in the final period.

In their 149-135 loss to the Cavaliers, the Nuggets shot 56.4% from the field and hit 15 threes at a 48.4% clip. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray each scored 27 points, with Jokic adding 13 assists and 14 rebounds.

Michael Porter Jr. contributed 18 points, hitting 5 threes at 62.5%. Christian Braun added 12 of his 16 points in the 3rd quarter, while Peyton Watson also finished with 18 points.

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The Nuggets struggled defensively on Friday, giving up 149 points to the Cavaliers, including 40 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters. Denver allowed Cleveland to shoot 56% from the field.

The Cavaliers also hit 23 threes at a 47% clip. Denver sent Cleveland to the line 22 times, with the Cavaliers making 18 free throws. The Nuggets finished with 30 defensive rebounds, 8 steals, and 3 blocks.

The Pistons come in as the underdog at +5.5, making them our top choice on the point spread. We not only expect them to cover the spread but also believe they have a strong chance of winning the game outright, especially if you’re aiming for a higher moneyline payout.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 231 and given that our model is projecting 237 points between the teams, we like the over.

Pistons Look to Complete Perfect Road Trip vs. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets

The Detroit Pistons are poised to end December on a high note as they wrap up a four-game road trip against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. Detroit, a team that struggled last December, has the chance to finish this month with a winning record.

Pistons Riding High on Road Success

Detroit has won the first three games of its road swing, including a dramatic 114-113 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. Jaden Ivey secured the win with a clutch four-point play in the final seconds, exemplifying the Pistons’ growing confidence.

The team’s resurgence has been fueled by the stellar play of Cade Cunningham, who leads Detroit in scoring (24.2 points per game) and assists (9.7). Cunningham has been a force on both ends of the court, tallying six triple-doubles this season and recording six double-doubles in his last eight outings.

“Give him a challenge, and he accepts it,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Cunningham. “I can make a comment to him … and he can go out and get it done.”

Cunningham is supported by Jaden Ivey, averaging 17.5 points per game, former Nugget Malik Beasley (16.7 points per game), and Jalen Duran, who leads the team with 9.2 rebounds per contest.

Denver Leans on Jokic Amid Defensive Woes

The Pistons will face a formidable challenge in two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who is enjoying a career-best season, averaging 30.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. provide additional offensive firepower, contributing 19.2 and 18.4 points per game, respectively.

However, Denver’s defense has been a glaring issue. The Nuggets, tied for third in the league in scoring at 119.6 points per game, are allowing opponents to score 117.2 points on average. Their defensive shortcomings were evident in Friday’s 149-135 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who shot 56.8% from the field and nearly 48% from beyond the arc.

Coach Michael Malone acknowledged the team’s defensive struggles:
“Our transition defense, our paint defense, and our second-chance points allowed are all bottom five,” Malone said. “That’s going to make it hard to be a team that consistently plays well and defends well.”

Impact of Injuries

Denver will be without Aaron Gordon, its top defender, who is sidelined with a right calf strain for the second straight game. Gordon’s absence further hampers the Nuggets’ already shaky defense.

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For Detroit, Jalen Duran will need to step up in the paint to counter Jokic’s dominance.

What’s at Stake

The Pistons, with 14 wins this season, have already matched their total from 2023-24, showing significant improvement. Meanwhile, the Nuggets will aim to tighten their defense to avoid a second consecutive loss and maintain their standing in the competitive Western Conference.

With momentum on Detroit’s side and Jokic anchoring Denver, this matchup promises an intriguing battle of rising stars and established greatness.