The nine-game Monday NBA slate is highlighted by an Eastern Conference matchup between the Detroit Pistons (16-4) and Atlanta Hawks (13-8) in the Motor City.
The Pistons are back home after outlasting the Heat, 138-135 on Saturday night to end a modest two-game skid. Detroit had won 13 straight games prior to a three-point loss at Boston last Wednesday.
The Hawks play with no rest following Sunday’s thrilling 142-134 double-overtime victory at Philadelphia.
Atlanta has taken four of its last five to pull within one-half game of Miami for first place in the Southeast division.
Let’s look at the Hawks vs. Pistons prediction and picks for Monday night’s showdown at Little Caesars Arena, tipping off at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Hawks vs. Pistons Prediction, NBA Picks
Detroit seeks its eighth home win in 10 tries on Monday night. The Pistons enter this matchup as 9.5-point favorites, returning a 1.23x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Hawks are road underdogs with a 3.7x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Detroit Pistons -9.5
- Total: 235.5
- Game Winner Payout: Hawks 3.7x | Pistons 1.23x
(Data via PrizePicks Team Picks)
Here are some stats to know to get you set for Hawks vs. Pistons tonight, including insights on our Hawks vs. Pistons prediction.
- The only team in the NBA with a better record than the Pistons is defending champion Oklahoma CIty, who sit at 20-1.
- Detroit held off Miami, 138-135 on Saturday, as the Pistons were outscored 44-30 in the fourth quarter.
- The Pistons failed to cover the point spread in three straight games before cashing in as an underdog against the Heat.
- In 18 of 20 games, Detroit has held its opponent to 117 or fewer points. The Pistons rank eighth in the league in points allowed per game at 114.0.
- The Hawks continue to play without star G Trae Young, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since October 29.
- Atlanta owns a solid 11-5 record since Young’s injury, including victories over the Pacific division-leading Lakers and Cavaliers.
- In the previous matchup in Atlanta on November 18, the Pistons knocked off the Hawks, 120-112. Detroit jumped out to a 13-point halftime lead and defeated Atlanta for the fourth time in the five meetings.
Atlanta Hawks
- The Hawks have covered the spread in six of their last eight opportunities in the underdog role.
- Atlanta has won three of four games with no rest, with the lone loss coming at home to Oklahoma City on October 25.
- The Hawks rank third in the NBA in assist percentage at 71.4% and first on the road at 71.7%.
Detroit Pistons
- The Pistons have gone Over the total in five of the last seven games.
- Detroit sits fifth in defensive rating at 111.3 and that number improves to 109.6 at Little Caesars Arena.
- At home, Detroit shoots 46.4% from the floor, compared to 51% on the road.
Hawks vs. Pistons Prediction, NBA Picks
Here are three top Hawks vs. Pistons picks to target on Monday. Key PrizePicks player projections are headlined by Atlanta F Jalen Johnson, Detroit G Cade Cunningham, and Pistons G/F Ausar Thompson.
Hawks F Jalen Johnson vs. Pistons Projection: 22.5 Points
- Johnson posted a season-high 41 points in Sunday’s double-overtime win over the 76ers.
- The former Duke star is averaging 22.9 points per game, including 29.5 ppg in two outings with no rest.
- In the first matchup against Detroit, Johnson racked up 25 points on 8-of-18 shooting from the floor.
- In nine of the last 11 games, Johnson knocked down at least 2 shots from 3-point range. Detroit ranks 22nd in opposing 3-point percentage at 36.7%.
Pistons G Cade Cunningham vs. Hawks Projection: 35.5 Pts+Rebs
- Cunningham continues to play at an MVP level, averaging 28.8 ppg and 6.4 rebounds per contest.
- In spite of Detroit’s long winning streak coming to an end at Boston last Wednesday, Cunningham scored 42 points, including 14 from the free throw line.
- The top pick from the 2021 draft hasn’t let up, posting 39 points against Orlando last Friday and 29 points in the three-point win at Miami on Saturday.
- In seven of 12 November contests, Cunningham finished with 35 or fewer points and rebounds.
- In last month’s win in Atlanta, Cunningham scored 25 points and pulled down 6 rebounds. In three of four matchups last season, the former Oklahoma State standout compiled at least 29 points.
Pistons G/F Ausar Thompson vs. Hawks Projection: 11.5 Points
- Thompson is averaging a career-best 11.9 ppg in his third season in Detroit.
- He scored in double-figures in eight of the first 10 games, but has compiled at least 10 points in only two of the past six contests.
- Thompson missed four games due to a right ankle sprain, which coincides with his scoring decrease the last six outings.
- The fifth pick of the 2023 draft is putting up 13.0 ppg in five outings at Little Caesars Arena, but was held to 8 points in his last home game against Orlando on November 28.
- Thompson was shut down by the Hawks in the previous matchup, scoring 6 points in 24 minutes of action.
The Pistons look to build another winning streak, facing a surprising Hawks team that tries to avenge a home loss to Detroit from last month.
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