Tuesday brings a somewhat light NBA slate, but one of the four matchups is a heavy-hitter between the East and West. At 10:30 p.m. ET, the Pistons and Lakers tip off from Los Angeles on NBC and Peacock.
Off to a roaring 24-8 start, Detroit has shocked the basketball world and currently sits first in the Eastern Conference. In the Western Conference, L.A. is just 5-5 in its last 10 but still occupies the fifth spot in the standings thanks to a 20-10 overall record. Tuesday’s game is critical for both sides, even with it being an inter-conference bout.
Below, we’ll break down a Pistons vs. Lakers prediction and picks to consider for Tuesday night’s game. Make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money if you’re right.
Pistons vs. Lakers Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
Tuesday marks the 351st meeting between the Pistons and Lakers. Despite Detroit winning two in a row in this series, Los Angeles boasts a commanding 214-136 lead.
On the injury front, the Pistons list G Caris LeVert as day-to-day with a knee injury. The Lakers, meanwhile, will be without PG Gabe Vincent (back) and SG Austin Reaves (calf), with F Rui Hachimura (calf) day-to-day.
Pistons vs. Lakers Over/Under, Spread
The Pistons enter Tuesday’s game as 3.5-point road favorites, returning a 1.69x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Lakers are home underdogs with a 2.04x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Detroit Pistons -3.5
- Over/Under: 231.5
- Game Winner Payout: Pistons 1.69x | Lakers 2.04x
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Pistons vs. Lakers Prediction on Spread
Here are some stats to know to get you prepared for Pistons vs. Lakers.
- While the Lakers are 17-13 against the spread this season, Detroit remains a solid 17-15, good for a 53.1% cover rate.
- Los Angeles is just 2-3 as a home underdog, making their 40% cover rate in such scenarios the fifth-worst share in the sport.
- Detroit’s +6.0 average scoring margin is sixth, and they sit top 10 in shooting percentage on both offense (47.8, eighth) and defense (44.5, second).
- Los Angeles’ +0.3 scoring margin is by far the worst of any projected playoff team in the West.
- Head coach JJ Redick’s crew is middle-of-the-pack in per-game scoring on offense (117.2, 13th) and defense (116.9, 17th).
Pistons vs. Lakers NBA Picks, Stats for PrizePicks Today
Here are three top Pistons vs. Lakers picks to target on Tuesday. Key PrizePicks player projections are headlined by PG Cade Cunningham, C Jalen Duren, and F LeBron James.
Pistons PG Cade Cunningham vs. Lakers Projection: 41.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- In 29 games this year, Cunningham averages a combined 42.4 points, rebounds, and assists.
- The former top draft pick has been excellent from midrange, making 46.4% of his tries from 10-16 feet and 51.3% of his attempts from 16 feet to the 3-point line.
- Cunningham’s 3.6% offensive rebounding clip is the highest of his career through five seasons.
- In his last seven outings, the former Oklahoma State standout netted 11.1 assists per night.
Pistons C Jalen Duren vs. Lakers Projection: 28.5 Pts + Rebs
- Duren is having a career breakout in year four, setting personal bests for points per game (18.2) while managing to grab 10.9 boards a night as well.
- Despite that, the bouncy big man’s 20.8% rebounding clip marks a decline from 2023 (22.2%) and 2024 (22.0%).
- The Lakers’ defense ranks 12th in per-game paint scoring (48.8 PPG), fifth in offensive rebounds allowed (10.9) and second in defensive rebounds yielded (29.5).
- Per FantasyPros, Los Angeles surrenders the fewest points (17.21) and second-fewest rebounds (12.68) to the C position every game.
Lakers F LeBron James vs. Pistons Projection: 28.5 Pts + Asts
- Since making his debut, James averages 27.2 points and assists. In his last eight games, that number is up to 31.3.
- In his first eight games of the season, The King had a 22.9% usage rate. Over the next six, that spiked to 30.9%.
- Per databallr, James’ 26.1 shot attempts per 100 put him in the 87th percentile.
- Despite his on-ball percentage dropping from 31% to 18% year-over-year, LBJ’s 3.4 potential assists per minute on-ball are a career-high, via NBARAPM.
Make Pistons vs. Lakers Picks on PrizePicks
Pistons vs. Lakers isn’t the only avenue basketball fans have to make NBA picks.
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