Pistons vs. Cavaliers Game 3 Odds, Predictions and Best Bets

Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to avoid another second-round exit in the NBA Playoffs, but they’ve gotten off to a rough start against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons.

Detroit won—and covered—in back-to-back games at home to begin this series, holding Cleveland’s high-powered offense to 101 and 97 points, respectively. The Cavs have not won more than one game in the second round in any series since Mitchell joined the franchise, yet they sit as the home favorites (4-0 this postseason) for Game 3. Detroit survived a first-round scare against the Orlando Magic and has really rounded into form since dropping three of four to start that series. The Pistons have now won five straight and enter Game 3 with the No. 2 defensive rating in the playoffs (103.0). Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris, and Detroit’s offense have found a groove against Cleveland, posting 111 and 107 points in the first two games of this series. Will Detroit pull off the upset and seize a commanding 3-0 lead on Saturday?

Game Info

Date: Saturday, May 9
Time: 3:00 p.m. EST
Venue: Rocket Arena
TV: NBC/Peacock
Series: Detroit leads 2-0

Spread: Pistons +4.5 (-115)/Cavaliers -4.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Pistons +145/Cavaliers -175
Total: 211.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Best Bet: James Harden UNDER 19.5 Points (-122)

Playoff James Harden is back, and that’s a bad sign for the Cavs. Harden shot 3-for-13 from the field and 0-for-4 from three in Game 2, scoring just 10 points in the Cavs’ loss. He’s now made just nine shots in this series while turning the ball over 11 times. Not great. Detroit has plenty of wing/guard defenders it can throw at Harden, and the former MVP has reached 20 or more points in only four of his nine games this postseason and just twice since the Toronto series’ Game 3. In this series, Harden is just 9-for-28 from the field, and he would not have finished with over 20 points in either game if not for nine free throws (all made) in Game 1. Detroit’s defense has been elite—No. 2 in the playoffs by defensive rating and among the elite in the regular season—so Harden clearing this number could be tough on Saturday afternoon.

Prediction: Under 211.5

Earlier today, I shared in my NBA Best Bets column—Peter’s Points—why I am taking the UNDER for the third game in a row in this series: I’m continuing with the UNDER in the Cavs-Pistons matchup. Cleveland’s offense has not found its rhythm in this series, tallying just 101 points in Game 1.