We have an Eastern Conference clash of titans for us tonight when the Cleveland Cavaliers (37-23) roll into Little Caesars Arena to take on the Detroit Pistons (43-14). This will be the third of four matchups between these division rivals. The season series is tied 1-1, with each team winning on the road.
Cavaliers vs. Pistons tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday from Detroit, MI., live on ESPN
Below, we’ll break down our Cavaliers vs. Pistons prediction, picks, and spread for Friday, 2/27 for PrizePicks. Use PrizePicks NBA to make picks on player projections and win real money if you’re right.
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Cavaliers vs. Pistons Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
It’s a shame the Cavaliers will not be at full strength for tonight’s matchup. Star SG Donovan Mitchell (groin) is listed as out, while newly acquired PG James Harden (thumb) is questionable. Additionally, three other key role players are listed as questionable, so be sure to pay closer attention to the news leading up to the tip for updates on their status.
The Cavs got off to a 5-0 start following their acquisition of James Harden, but have since dropped two of their last three games, on the road to OKC and Milwaukee. Now without Mitchell, it will be up to Harden (if he plays) to show he can still carry a roster offensively as the lead guard.
The Pistons will be looking to set the tone tonight for what could easily be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals, and they will have by far the healthier roster to do so. Detroit has won nine of its last 11 games and is coming off an impressive home win against the Thunder.
They have been led all season by MVP candidate PG Cade Cunningham, who is averaging 25.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game this season while chipping in 2.5 stocks (steals and blocks) on the defensive end.
“Yes” on Cunningham to win this year’s MVP award is currently returning a 7.14x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks.
Cavaliers vs. Pistons Spread, Over/Under
The Pistons enter Friday’s game as 5.5-point home favorites, returning a 1.36x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Cavaliers are road underdogs with a 2.94x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Detroit Pistons -5.5 (1.72x payout)
- Over/Under: 228.5 (1.96x payout on over)
- Game Winner Payout: Cavaliers 2.94x | Pistons 1.36x
Team Picks payouts are live as of publishing and are subject to change.
Cavaliers vs. Pistons Injury Report
Let’s dive into the full Cavaliers vs. Pistons injury report for Friday, via NBA.com.
Cavaliers Injury Report
- SG Keon Ellis (finger): Questionable
- PG James Harden (thumb): Questionable
- PG Dennis Schroder (ankle): Questionable
- SF Dean Wade (ankle): Questionable
- SG Donovan Mitchell (groin): OUT
Pistons Injury Report
- C Isaiah Stewart (suspension): OUT
Cavaliers vs. Pistons Prediction on Spread
Here are some stats to help you make your Cavaliers vs. Pistons prediction on the spread today.
- Detroit is 30-27 (52.6%) against the spread (ATS) this season, the tenth-best record in the NBA.
- The Cavs are 25-35-0 (41.7%) ATS this season, the fourth-worst record in the NBA.
- Offense could be difficult to come by for the Cavaliers tonight, especially without Donovan Mitchell.
- Opponents are shooting only 44% from the field against the Pistons this year, the second-best mark in the association.
- Given the size and length of both teams, this matchup could come down to whoever wins in the paint, and the numbers favor Detroit.
- The Pistons are second in the NBA in percentage of points scored in the paint (48.9%) and are third in the league defensively in opponents' points allowed in the paint (42.6).
Cavaliers vs. Pistons Picks for PrizePicks Today: 2/27/26
Here are two of the top Cavaliers vs. Pistons to consider for PrizePicks today. Player projections via the PrizePicks real-money NBA game.
Pistons PG Cade Cunningham vs. Cavaliers Projection – 41.5 Pts+Reb+Asts
- Cade is averaging 40.9 points, rebounds, and assists (PRA) this season, but at home, that number drops to 38.6.
- The reason for this increase is that Cunningham is averaging 3.7 fewer points per game at home than on the road. This is because of pretty poor shooting; at home, he is shooting just 42.7% from the field and 29.6% from 3-point range.
- Cunningham has had less than this projection in both outings against the Cavaliers this year. He has had 40 and 21 PRA, respectively, in those two games.
Cavaliers C Jarrett Allen vs. Pistons Projection – 26.5 Pts+Reb+Asts
- We are selling high on Jarrett Allen tonight despite how good he has been ever since being paired up with James Harden.
- This is as difficult a matchup for big men all season. As mentioned above, the Pistons are allowing opponents to shoot only 44% from the field (second) and are restricting them to the third fewest points in the paint (42.6).
- Additionally, Detroit allows the fourth-fewest rebounds per game (41.2), and the fewest assists per game (23.3). While that latter mark may not be as relevant for Allen himself, it will make it more difficult for Harden to continue feeding Allen with easy buckets.
- This is a small but notable pace-down game for the Cavaliers as they rank 11th in the league in pace, while Detroit ranks 16th.
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Make Cavaliers vs. Pistons Picks on PrizePicks
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