In the middle of a five-game road trip and in need of some spark — any spark — the reeling Detroit Pistons head to the Rocky Mountains to play a Denver Nuggets crew dealing with its own troubles.
We’re going to dive in, look at some NBA team stats and NBA odds today, then decide what would be best with Pistons vs. Nuggets betting today.
Last Game Records
Piston’s Last Game Record
As mentioned before, the Pistons’ nightmare run kept on Sunday night against Sacramento. Detroit bowed to the Kings, 137-29. It was their second double-digit defeat during the skid.
For host Sacramento, it was their sixth win a row. Guard Jaden Ivey netted a team-high 24 points and shot 8-of-14 from the field for the Pistons.
It also marked forward Marvin Bagley III’s return to his former home. The Kings drafted him high in the 2018 NBA Draft and was shipped to the Motor City prior to last year’s trade deadline.
He added 15 points in the effort, while Bogdan Bogdanovic had 21.
Nuggets’ Last Game Record
The short-handed Nuggets edged Dallas, 98-97, Sunday. Denver was without Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon.
Bones Hyland scored a career-high 29 points and Michael Porter Jr. added 12.
Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons Betting Analysis
Denver Nuggets
Porter Jr. paces those who are currently available for the Nuggets in points right now (16.3 per game). Hyland contributes 16.1 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 12.1.
Detroit Pistons
Looking at NBA player stats, Bogdanovic is Detroit’s top statistical scorer. He’s put up 20.5 points per game thus far. Ivey has chipped in with 16.8, and Alec Burks with 15.4.
NBA Injury Report
We should mention each team’s important injuries in our Pistons vs. Nuggets betting analysis. A few of the Detroit Pistons best players have been shelved, at least for the moment.
Detroit has been without point guard Cade Cunningham (left shin injury) since Nov. 11. Cunningham. The team fears that he suffered a stress fracture and he’s out indefinitely.
It’s a big blow, being that he’s averaged 19.9 points per game, which is second on the team.
Forward Saddiq Bey has a sprained right ankle and has been sent home for treatment. He won’t play in any more contests on this road swing. Center Isaiah Stewart is sidelined with a right big toe sprain.
The Denver Nuggets injuries are aplenty. Jokic (COVID-19 protocols) is doubtful for this matchup, while Murray is on the report for the same reason, with the same game designation.
Jeff Green is out with a knee ailment. Hyland is nursing a sore left hip, but is probable for the matchup. Gordon is questionable with illness and Ish Smith with an injured calf.
Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons Betting Preview
Even banged up, the Nuggets figure to do enough here. At least on the line. Denver is marked down as -5.5 on the point spread at -110, while the Pistons are the same to cover.
On the money line, the Nuggets are -215 and Detroit a +18” underdog. The total is listed at 222 points, with the over -110 and the under the same.
Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons Betting Prediction
Both of these teams are missing key players, which makes this one of the more unpredictable NBA matchups on today’s slate.
However, it might be Detroit’s best chance to snap its losing streak and put it in the past. Even Hyland, who had a big game against the Mavericks, is dealing with an injury.
Both teams are in a rough spot on the NBA schedule.
Who to Bet On?
So, in making NBA picks today, should we count Denver out because their team is hurting? Or do we trust them and their success on the NBA schedule in recent years to mean something right now?
We would go with the latter option. While Jokic has been a central piece of the squad, the supporting cast has an important role, too.
Take the Nuggets to cover as the best Pistons vs. Nuggets betting choice today.
NBA Pick: Nuggets -5.5 (-110)
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