Wednesday night NBA action with two teams trending in opposite directions. The Detroit Pistons bring their young stars into the state of the art Intuit Dome to play the Los Angeles Clippers. Playoff implications are heating up in the association as rotations tighten or teams begin to openly tank. However, both these teams are battling for playoff position. This should be a great game of basketball. Let’s talk hoops.
Game Information
- Intuit Dome Inglewood, California
- Detroit Pistons (35-27) visit the (32-29) LA Clippers
- Previous Matchup: DET Win 106-97 February 24th, 2025
The former first overall pick from Oklahoma St. is averaging a career high with 25.3 ppg.
Detroit Pistons @ Los Angeles Clippers
The Pistons spent their offseason acquiring veterans that compliment the several lottery picks on their roster. None of those young prospects had truly broken out yet causing pundits to still be skeptical about their chances this season. Except now the detractors have egg on their face and it smells as good as crackling bacon in Motown. Cade Cunningham is an elite scorer and facilitator while Duren and Thompson are special athletes. Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr.’s shooting provide the youngsters with room to operate. If you take this team lightly then you’re toast.
The Clippers were an early season darling but now they’re having trouble putting together wins. A win against the Bulls sits in the middle of two different three game losing streaks. To add insult to injury, they just lost to another struggling team, the Suns stormed back against the Clips from down 23 just last night. They may have added Ben Simmons, and Kawhi is back, but this team has slipped into the 9th seed in the West.
The Pistons are 21-9 over their last 30 games with the best defense in the NBA:
116.1 OffRtg (11th)
109.1 DefRtg (1st)
+7.0 NetRtg (4th)Detroit has transformed into a team many contenders will not want to see in the first round of the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/azSjB5k0rI
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) March 4, 2025
NBA Game Analysis
Let’s get right to the meat of it. The Detroit Pistons are 18-3-1 against the spread in their last 22 games vs. top 10 scoring defences. Even when their opponents are talented and organized they can still beat you. Additionally, the under hit in 6/7 against top 10 scoring defences. They have the best defensive rating in the association in their last 30 games and 4th best net differential. These are the markers of not only a good basketball team but a contending one.
This team is not bland either. Detroit has the NBA’s second spiciest transition offence scoring 19.2 ppg. They are also good on 2nd chance points and offensive rebound % making for a sweet little recipe for success. They have several mouthwatering finishers like Jalen Duren:
MAKE THIS A @SportsCenter TOP 10 https://t.co/A9D6RpaPFK pic.twitter.com/eTy92SfAx9
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) March 4, 2025
The Clippers see the Intuit Dome as a safe haven. They are 19-6 in their last 25 home games. Teams shoot a poorer percentage inside of Inglewood’s newest arena thanks to their fan wall. The Pistons are already a mediocre team from the line sitting 16th in the league shooting 77.9%. Also, the Pistons have the 20th ranked assist-to-turnover ratio. While they are young and exciting there are definitely still growing pains. Los Angeles is 3rd in steals. They steal the rock 9.8 times per game carrying the 5th best turnover % on defence in the league.
The Pistons came away with the win when these two teams played last week. However, the Clippers forced Cunningham into 7 turnovers on only 7 assists. If the Clippers can keep this game close then their home court advantage, defence, and experience, could possibly pull them over the finish line.
NBA Best Bet: Detroit Pistons -4.5 (-110)
As stated before, the Detroit Pistons are 18-3-1 against the spread in their last 22 games vs. top 10 scoring defences. The Clippers played last night but they are also concluding an eight game road trip. Two of those games were against the Lakers but the start of the trip was an east coast swing. It might be a mistake to back the young visitors in a unpleasant place to play but I am doing it.
The Clippers can be sloppy with the basketball, Harden can struggle to shoot some nights, and the Pistons have defensive playmakers. The Pistons can force turnovers then get out and score in transition. LA is just 17th in fast break points allowed. Furthermore, Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell are out so this will be a tough back-to-back flying home from Phoenix last night.
JB Bickerstaff was just voted NBA’s Coach of the Month in the East. Vibes are high in the Motor City. He has definitely implored the opportunity this team has. If they can be successful on this 4-game road trip, then they get two games at home against the Wizards, win those two? Detroit could be looking at a top four seed and home court advantage in round 1 of the NBA playoffs.
Thanks for reading!
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