The Detroit Pistons (17-33) will try to put an end to their five-game losing streak when they square off against the Denver Nuggets (34-15) at Little Caesars Arena. The game will air on Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons Free Prediction
In the Nuggets’ last game, they comfortably covered the 2.5-point spread against the Milwaukee Bucks, 127-115. The game’s total points (242) were well over the O/U total of 211.5. The Nuggets, who came into the game averaging an effective field goal percentage of 0.518, had a great mark of 0.590 and held the Bucks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 14.0 (below their season average of 21.0). Nikola Jokic had a good outing for Denver, finishing with 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
The Pistons were beaten by the Toronto Raptors in their last outing, 105-92, despite being 8-point favorites. The game’s combined points (197) finished well under the O/U total of 225.5. Toronto’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Detroit. The Raptors had a rate of 0.571 (above their season average of 0.531), while the Pistons posted a mark of 0.424 (below their season average of 0.536). With 20 points and 20 rebounds, Detroit’s Andre Drummond had a good game.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. The Nuggets won the most recent game 95-92. Denver’s 0.161 free throw rate was their largest advantage over Detroit, who had a mark of 0.088.
The offensive glass could be a huge advantage for Denver in this showdown. The Nuggets currently rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (25.1 percent), while Detroit ranks 23rd in defensive rebounding percentage (76.3 percent).
Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Nuggets, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Denver is 10-10-3 ATS on the road with 13 unders and 10 overs.
At home, Detroit is 9-16 ATS with 18 overs, 6 unders and 1 push.
Denver is 11-1 when they allow below 100 points, while Detroit is 4-0.
In games where they score more than 100 points, the Nuggets are 32-10 and the Pistons are 16-24.
Denver ranks second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.3) while Detroit ranks 23rd (17.8).
The Nuggets average 49.0 points in the paint per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. The Pistons rank 26th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.9).
Denver ranks fourth in assists per game (26.2) while Detroit ranks 19th in assists allowed per game (24.6).
The Nuggets average 8.2 steals per game, which ranks ninth in the league. The Pistons rank 22nd in steals allowed per game (8.1).
Denver ranks fifth in second chance points allowed per game (12.1) while Detroit ranks 16th (13.2).
The Nuggets rank 19th in rebounds per game (44.9) while the Pistons rank 29th (42.3).
Detroit ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (30.2) while Denver ranks 10th (32.9).
The Nuggets rank 20th in blocks per game (4.6) while the Pistons rank 23rd in blocks allowed per game (5.6).
In its last five contests, Denver is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Detroit is 1-4 ATS with 5 overs over its last five games.
The Nuggets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.8, up from 3.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pistons have scored an average of 106.0 points per game (3.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 118.2 points per game (6.8 above their season average).
