Seven games of NBA action are tipping off across today’s Sunday slate. Tipping off at 7:30 p.m. ET, the. Detroit Pistons will face off with the Philadelphia 76ers.
These two teams are shaping into two of the more notable threats in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons sit in the top spot with a 7-2 record and enter this matchup on a five game winning streak. Philadelphia is not far behind with a 6-3 record to start the season, and will be playing in the second half of a back-to-back after defeating the Toronto Raptors last night.
Looking at the odds for tonight’s matchup, the Pistons enter as 4.5-point favorites and hold -180 odds on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Sixers hold +150 odds of getting the outright victory with the game total set at 233.5 points.
This article will look at a preview and prediction for the Sunday night matchup.
Piston at Sixers preview, prediction
The Detroit Piston took a massive leap forward as a franchise last season going from 14-68 in 2023-24 to 44-38 last season. They look to have successful built off this at the start of this season. Their pair of losses have come at the hands of the Cavaliers and Bulls while they have ripped off seven victories over the Rockets, Celtics, Magic, Mavericks, Grizzles, Jazz, and Nets.
Cade Cunningham continues to lead the team in production and is averaging 25.6 points, 9.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. Jalen Duren has also shown some major growth in his fourth NBA season, averaging 19.2 points and 11.3 rebounds per game to start the year. Ausar Thomson, Isaiah Stewart, Duncan Robinson, and Tobias Harris are also averaging in double figures while Ron Holland, Caris LeVert, Javonte Green, and Bobi Klintman round out most of their depth.
Detroit is averaging 116.7 points per game, which ranks 17th in the NBA, and they are holding opponents to the fourth fewest points per game at 110.8 points per contest. They are pulling in the third-most rebounds per game, tallying the second-most blocks, and are holding opponents to the second-worst field goal percentage. Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser remain out for this matchup while Tobias Harris has been ruled out for tonight’s game with an ankle injury. Isaiah Stewart is considered doubtful due to an ankle sprain.
The Sixers have been one of the biggest positive surprises in the NBA season thus far. They enter with a 6-3 record on the season, tied for third place in the Eastern Conference. Their three losses have come at the hands of the Celtics, Bulls, and Cavaliers while they have picked up victories against the Nets, Wizards, Magic, Hornets, Celtics, and Raptors thus far.
Tyrese Maxey has ascended to one of the top talents in the sport, leading the NBA in minutes (41.4) and field goal attempts (22.9), while posting overall averages of 33.2 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. He has grown into the face of the franchise as Joel Embiid works through his knee issues. Embiid is expected to miss tonight’s game for injury management with it being the second night of a back-to-back. He is averaging 19.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks across his limited minutes so far this season. Quentin Grimes has made a strong impact while V.J. Edgecombe has shined in his rookie season. Kelly Oubre Jr. has exceeded all expectations and is performing at a fringe All-Star level while Andre Drummond, Adem Bona, Jared McCain, and Trendon Watford round out most of their depth.
Philadelphia is third in the league in scoring at 124.0 points per game, but rank 23rd in opponents points per game at 119.3 per contest. They rank sixth in the league three-point efficiency and holding opponents to the seventh-worst three-point percentage. In addition to Joel Embiid, Paul George remains sidelined along with Dominick Barlow.
Pistons at Sixers prediction, best bet
This is a contrast of styles with the Sixers leaning on a fast-paced offensive style while the Pistons prefer grind-it-out defensive basketball. These teams are also tied for the best against the spread efficiency as each enter with a 7-2 ATS record.
The Pistons are clicking on all cylinders and enter with the momentum of the five game winning streak and the rest advantage. Philadelphia is playing on the second night of a back-to-back, but have shown a refreshing resiliency and spunk this year. My lean is toward Detroit covering the 4.5-point spread but I am backing the over of 233.5 in this matchup.
Overs are also cashing at a 7-2 rate in Sixers game this year while Detroit is 4-4-1 in the game total. If these teams are to each score their average, the total would result in 240.7 points put on the board. The Sixers look to get out in transition at a high rate and lean on the fast-pace of Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe to spark this. While tired legs are a concern, Philadelphia has invested in their young core and most of their key contributors are 25 or younger. Expect them to have success beating this forward heavy Pistons roster down the floor. Philadelphia has scored 129+ points four times already this season and only been held below 120 points twice.
In addition, expect the Pistons to have some success on the interior by securing additional offensive chances and creating easy second chance points. The Sixers are a bit weak at the forward spots and this will be further magnified by Embiid’s absence. Expect Jalen Duren to lead this charge with no player on Philadelphia’s roster capable of matching his size and athleticism. Lace up the track shoes and expect both these teams to put some high scoring totals on the board.
Best bet: Over 233.5 Points (-112)
Bonus Player Prop: In addition, I am backing Trendon Watford to record 25+ combined points, rebounds, and assists which was highlighted in today’s best player prop bets on DK Network.
The Philadelphia 76ers injected Trendon Watford into the starting lineup for the first time last night. The LSU product responded by producing his first career triple-double with 20 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in a victory over the Raptors. He entered the season sidelined with a hamstring injury and has gradually seen his role scaled up. There is a clear need for his skill set in the Sixers’ offense, with his playmaking chops particularly shining, and Watford should see his role even further expanded with Joel Embiid set to miss tonight due to it being on the second night of a back-to-back.
Philadelphia will take on the Detroit Pistons tonight, who sit at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 7-2 record. The Sixers have been a pleasant surprise themselves with a 6-3 record to start. Power forward was a position of concern for the Sixers entering the season, and Watford is making a clear case why he deserves to hold down this role. In the three games he has played 20+ minutes in, Watford is averaging 17.3 points, 7.6 assists and 9.6 rebounds per game.
The 6-foot-9 forward clocked a season-high 36:30 of game action last night, and the Sixers will need his size against the jumbo Detroit frontcourt. Expect Watford to make an impact in each statistical category and put forth a well-rounded box score. He has tallied 25+ combined points, rebounds and assists in back-to-back games and three of his past four even while seeing his minutes limited. Expect Watford to build off this and put forth another strong statistical output tonight.
