Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Game 7: NBA Game Picks & Betting Odds

We were in danger of getting no Game 7s in the second round of these NBA playoffs after getting three in the first round. The Cleveland Cavaliers were up 3-2 and in their home gym for Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons. But they couldn’t get it done, and now they have to go to Motown to upset the No. 1 seed in the East in a Game 7 on their home turf.

This has been a back and forth series with both teams having led at critical junctures. But it all came down to this, and with both teams proving they can win on the road over the last two games, this one should really be a toss up. However, the Pistons come in as significant 4.5-point favorites. Read on for our betting picks and predictions for Game 7 as well as the top NBA betting odds in Canada!

NBA Playoffs: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons Game 7 - Game Picks & Betting Odds - May 17 (SERIES TIED 3-3)

All odds provided by Betway.

Series Schedule:

• Game 1 - CLE @ DET - Pistons Win 111-101
• Game 2 - CLE @ DET - Pistons Win 107-97
• Game 3 - DET @ CLE - Cavaliers Win 116-109
• Game 4 - DET @ CLE - Cavaliers Win 112-103
• Game 5 - CLE @ DET - Cavaliers Win 117-113
• Game 6 - DET @ CLE - Pistons Win 115-94
• Game 7 - CLE @ DET, May 17 - 8PM

Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 5 - Point Spread/Moneyline Prediction

When you consider the fact that home teams are 115-40 (a 74 percent win rate) all-time in Game 7s, you start to understand why the Pistons are a bit more heavily favored than we might have guessed considering the seesaw nature of this series. But we still think that 4.5-point spread is out of whack.

For starters, that stat is immensely skewed: in the post-COVID, post-bubble era since 2021, home teams have actually won fewer Game 7s than they have lost, going 9-10 over that time, including one Game 7 road win in these very playoffs (76ers over Celtics). It can definitely happen, and the Cavaliers have the talent to get it done.

The Pistons won Game 6 not because of Cade Cunningham, who actually had a subpar game by his standards going 7-for-19 for 21 points. It was the other guys. Tobias Harris, usually Detroit’s second-best scorer, only had six too. Seven other players had 8+ points for Detroit to key them to victory.

We don’t see that happening again. The Pistons have been top-heavy all season, and that was largely the case before that bench explosion in Game 6. Detroit’s bench is ranked sixth in scoring out of the eight teams that made it to Round 2 of the playoffs, and the only two teams behind them got swept.

The Cavaliers don’t exactly have a deep bench, but they have more scoring depth and talent across their starting lineup. Donovan Mitchell should bounce back after a shocker in Game 6, and James Harden has been surprisingly steady as well.

Their bench also went 6-for-22 in that Game 6, which is uncharacteristic. And despite what most people say about role players in away games, Cleveland’s bench is scoring more on the road than it is at home this postseason. We like Cleveland to win, but we’ll take the points if they’re being given.

Best Bet: Cleveland Cavaliers +4.5 Point Spread (-110)

Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 5 - Over/Under Prediction

We’re not really sure why this total is so low. Five of six games in this series have eclipsed this total, and the one that didn’t ended just a couple of points shy. And it’s not like Game 7s are predictably low-scoring either. You might think so because both teams are so anxious and desperate not to lose, but all three Game 7s so far during this postseason have gone over this total.

10 of the last 18 Game 7s excluding the Finals have gone over this 206.5-point number. Four of the seven games in Detroit’s Round 1 series went over this total, and ditto for six of Cleveland’s seven. It feels cheeky, but we’re confident enough here to take this number straight up and resist buying points for safety. Though of course, you’re always welcome to.

Best Bet: Game Total Points Over 206.5 (-110)