Pistons Favored to Cover Spread Again vs Cavaliers in Game 2

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-101 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Little Caesars Arena. Game 2 takes place Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video.

DraftKings lists Detroit as a -155 moneyline favorite and -3.5 against the spread, with a total of 215.5. The Pistons controlled the opener, holding an 18-point lead at one point and leading for 91 percent of the game. They outperformed Cleveland in three of the four factors: turnovers, rebounds and free throws.

Detroit led the NBA in defensive turnover rate during the regular season. The final score flattered Cleveland; the Pistons should have won by more than 10 points. James Harden shot 6-for-15 from the field and 1-for-7 from three-point range while committing seven turnovers. He looked too old and slow for this series.

The pressure will not ease for Harden. That is Detroit's style. Cleveland has not won a road game in these playoffs and went 17-28 against the spread away from home this season. The Cavaliers rely on finesse jump shooting, which does not travel well in the postseason.

Detroit has the third-best home scoring margin this season at plus-10.2 points per game, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks. The Pistons play an energetic, intense style that feeds off their home crowd.

Cade Cunningham shot 6-for-19 from the field, or 31.6 percent, against Cleveland's weak defensive backcourt. He left production on the table in Game 1 but adjusted late. After the Cavaliers tied the score with 5:28 left in the fourth quarter, Detroit responded with a 6-0 run on three straight Jalen Duren dunks assisted by Cunningham.

Cunningham leads the playoffs in scoring at 31.3 points per game. Ausar Thompson and Cunningham will challenge Donovan Mitchell in this series. Mitchell has not reached the foul line much these playoffs.

The winning team in the 2026 NBA Playoffs has covered the spread 88.1 percent of the time, with an average margin of victory of plus-13.6 points. Prediction: Pistons 113, Cavaliers 102.