Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland-cavaliers Picks and Predictions March 28th 2025

Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland-Cavaliers March 28th 2025

At 7:00 ET, the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers (-242) will travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons (+200). The Cavs are currently riding a three-game win streak and are 6.5-point favorites over the Pistons, who have won two in a row.

This Eastern Central division matchup will be played at Little Caesars Arena and can be seen on FDSD. The over/under line for the game is currently set at 230 points.

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Cavaliers vs. Pistons Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons
• Where: Detroit at Little Caesars Arena
• Date: Friday, March 28th
• Betting Odds CLE -6.5, CLE -242 | DET +200 O/U 230

The Cavaliers Can Win If…

The Cavaliers improved to 59-14 this season with a 124-116 win over the Spurs on Thursday. Cleveland was favored by 14 points but didn’t cover the spread. The total score of 240 points went over the pre-game line of 236.5.

A key moment came when the Cavs went on an 11-0 run, extending their lead from 37-30 to 48-30. The Spurs fought back, winning the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but Cleveland pulled away in the 4th, outscoring San Antonio 38-33.

Jarrett Allen’s 29-point, 15-rebound performance, shooting 90.9% from the field, led the Cavaliers to a 124-116 win over the Spurs. Donovan Mitchell added 25 points and 14 assists, hitting 4 threes at 44.4%, while Max Strus also connected on 4 threes, finishing with 18 points and shooting 57.1% from deep.

The Cavaliers hit 17 threes, shooting 35.4% from beyond the arc and 46.5% overall. Allen was dominant in the 4th quarter, scoring 19 points, while Mitchell contributed 10 points in the 1st quarter.

Defensively, the Cavaliers were strong in the 1st and 2nd quarters, giving up just 24 and 25 points, respectively. However, they struggled in the 3rd and 4th, allowing 34 and 33 points. Despite this, they held the Spurs to 40% shooting from the field.

Cleveland limited San Antonio’s three-point shooting, with the Spurs hitting 14 threes at a 32% clip. The Cavaliers sent the Spurs to the line 21 times, where they made 16 free throws. Cleveland also recorded 7 steals and 5 blocks in the game.

• Across their five previous road games, Cleveland has an ATS mark of 2-3. Their straight up record in these matchups was 2-3 while averaging 118 points per game.
• As the betting favorite, the Cavaliers have an ATS record of 2-1 in their last three games. In these matchups, their straight up record was 3-0.
• Over their last three games, the Cavaliers have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Pistons Can Win If…

With a 122-96 win over the Spurs on Tuesday, the Pistons improved to 41-32 for the season. Detroit, favored by 9 points, covered the spread comfortably at home. The total score of 218 points fell short of the 232-point over/under line.

A key moment came when the Pistons went on a 10-0 run, extending their lead from 32-25 to 42-25. They held the Spurs to just 12 points in the 2nd quarter before San Antonio fought back in the 3rd, outscoring Detroit 35-28. However, the Pistons closed out the game by winning the 4th quarter 34-27.

Marcus Sasser’s 27 points on 75% shooting, including 5 threes at 71.4%, led the Pistons to a 122-96 win over the Spurs. Detroit hit 15 threes, shooting 48.4% from deep and 56.4% overall.

Tobias Harris added 15 points, and Jalen Duren contributed 14. Ausar Thompson also scored 14, while Malik Beasley chipped in 13 points.

Defensively, the Pistons shined in the 2nd quarter, holding the Spurs to just 12 points, contributing to their 122-96 win. Overall, they limited San Antonio to 96 points on 36% shooting.

From beyond the arc, the Pistons allowed 14 threes on 31% shooting. They sent the Spurs to the line 20 times, where they hit 16 free throws. Detroit finished with 6 steals and 5 blocks.

• When looking at their past five home matchups, Detroit has an ATS record of 2-2-1 while averaging 117 per game. The team went 3-2 overall in these games.
• Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Detroit has an ATS mark of 1-1-1 while going 1-2 straight up.
• In their last five games, the Pistons have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Lean

We’re putting our money on the Cavaliers to win, and have the projected score sitting at 140-100. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Cavaliers at -6.5.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 230, and our model predicts the Cavaliers and Pistons to score a combined 240 points. We recommend betting on the over.

Pistons Eye Winning Season, Seek to Snap Cavs Skid

The Detroit Pistons are on the verge of ending an eight-year drought and rewriting expectations, but they’ll need to topple the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers to seal the deal Friday night at Little Caesars Arena.

Detroit Poised to End Long-Awaited Drought

A win on Friday would mark Detroit’s first winning season since 2015-16. It would also snap a 12-game losing streak against Cleveland — the Pistons haven’t beaten the Cavs since 2021. They came painfully close in their last meeting on Feb. 5, when Darius Garland drained a buzzer-beater to seal a 118-115 Cleveland win.

Detroit (41-32) has surged through March despite missing Cade Cunningham (bruised calf), who will remain out Friday. The Pistons have won two straight, dispatching the Spurs and Pelicans behind strong bench play, particularly from rookie guard Marcus Sasser.

Sasser scored a career-high 27 points Tuesday in a blowout win over San Antonio and has delivered 47 points over the last two games.

Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who previously coached Cleveland, praised his team’s mentality and focus down the stretch.

“They’re just taking on every challenge in front of them,” Bickerstaff said. “They’re not looking at big-picture milestones. They’re locked in.”

Cavs Look to Manage Load, Maintain Pace

Cleveland (59-14) holds the best record in the East and is riding a three-game winning streak, including Thursday’s 124-116 victory over San Antonio.

Jarrett Allen delivered 29 points and 15 rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell nearly posted a triple-double with 25 points, 14 assists, and eight boards.

However, with Friday marking their third game in four nights — and following a taxing five-game Western road swing — Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson hinted at possible rest for key players.

“We’re more focused on staying healthy than overextending guys at this point,” Atkinson said, though Evan Mobley, who rested Thursday, is expected to return.

The Cavaliers are deep enough to compete regardless, and Detroit will need to match their pace and physicality, particularly on the glass.

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Key Matchup: Pistons Depth vs. Cavs Experience

Without Cunningham, Detroit’s depth — especially from Sasser and Jaden Ivey — has been the engine behind their recent run. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s balanced scoring and defensive rebounding will be critical if Mobley and Mitchell are on minutes limits.

The Pistons can end two streaks with one win: their losing skid vs. Cleveland and their playoff-era winless seasons. But it will take poise against a Cavs squad that won’t give an inch, even on tired legs.

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