The Detroit Pistons (5-18) will host the Dallas Mavericks (10-10) in a Thursday night battle. This will be the first matchup of the season between these two, and Dallas has won five straight games in the head-to-head series. The Mavericks own a league-worst 5-14-1 record against the spread, while the Pistons own an 11-10-2 record against the spread. Cade Cunningham (shin) is out for Detroit with Jaden Ivey (knee) listed as questionable, while Christian Wood (illness) is also questionable for Dallas.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET from Detroit. Caesars Sportsbook lists Dallas as an 8-point favorite in the latest Mavericks vs. Pistons odds. The over/under for total points is set at 220. Before making any Pistons vs. Mavericks picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions from the model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four seasons. The model enters Week 7 of the 2022-23 NBA season on a stunning 106-70 roll on all top-rated NBA picks that dates back to last season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Mavericks vs. Pistons. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for Pistons vs. Mavericks:
- Mavericks vs. Pistons spread: Dallas -8
- Mavericks vs. Pistons Over-Under: 220 points
- Mavericks vs. Pistons money line: Dallas -335, Detroit +260
- DAL: Mavericks are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 Thursday games
- DET: Pistons are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games following an ATS loss
- Mavericks vs. Pistons picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Pistons can cover
Forward Bojan Bogdanovic has a nice shooting touch, owns a solid face-up game and is fearless when driving down the lane. The 33-year-old is a creative scorer and can knock down spot-up 3-pointers. He's averaging a team-high of 20.3 points to go along with 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 39% from downtown. On Nov. 22, Bogdanovic logged 22 points, nine boards, and four dimes.
Saddiq Bey is a scrappy and high-energy forward who gives maximum effort. Bey is a knockdown shooter from mid-range and 3-point land as the Villanova product owns a quick release that allows him to get uncontested looks from downfield. The 23-year-old averages 14.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest.
Why the Mavericks can cover
Forward Dorian Finney-Smith is a long, athletic, and versatile force in the frontcourt. Finney-Smith is an energetic defender who likes to play uptempo, and the Florida product is racking up 9.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and shoots 33% from downtown. He's scored in double figures in three of his last four matchups.
Guard Tim Hardaway Jr. is coming off one of his best games of the season as he poured in 22 points on Tuesday versus Golden State. It was Hardaway's second-most points this season as he knocked down 5 of 11 from beyond the arc. The 10-year vet has been a great source of points off the bench for Dallas this year, averaging 10.8 points to go along with 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
How to make Mavericks vs. Pistons picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 228 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 60% of simulations.
