Pistons Favored by 3.5 over Cavaliers in NBA Playoff Game

NBA playoffs moved to the second round Monday with two games. One stood out over the other, and Tuesday's matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons shapes up as the more entertaining option.

The Cavaliers reshaped their roster this season. They traded Darius Garland for James Harden and Dennis Schroder in separate deals. That changed their lineup from an earlier group with Garland, Lonzo Ball and DeAndre Hunter. The team's success now rests on Harden and Donovan Mitchell.

In the first round, Cleveland won all four home games against the Toronto Raptors but lost every road contest. Two losses in Toronto looked winnable. They took Game 7 by 12 points without much drama, aided by Brandon Ingram's absence for the Raptors. Evan Mobley and Harden stand as keys for Cleveland in this series.

The Pistons entered as the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed but stumbled early against the Orlando Magic. They dropped the opener at home and fell behind 3-1 after losing two of the next three. Detroit won Game 5 as expected on its floor. Game 6 turned chaotic as the Magic managed just 19 second-half points, forcing a Game 7.

Detroit dominated Game 7 from the start and won by 22 points amid Orlando's collapse. That result likely cost the Magic's coach his job and led the Pistons to extend JB Bickerstaff's contract. Bickerstaff knows the Cavaliers well after Cleveland fired him over playoff shortcomings. He could prove decisive by targeting their flaws.

Donovan Mitchell and Cade Cunningham should match up evenly in scoring. Jarrett Allen and Mobley give Detroit varied looks against Jalen Duren. Tobias Harris offers an edge for the Pistons, while Mobley challenges them and Harden hunts mismatches.

Regular-season games stayed close, with three decided by four points or fewer. Each team won two, one home and one away. This series won't lean defensive. The Pistons hold slight favor at -3.5.