The Los Angeles Lakers (8-9) travel to Little Caesars Arena Sunday to take on the Detroit Pistons (4-11). Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Lakers at Pistons odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Despite LeBron James‘ return in the Lakers primetime matchup with the Celtics, Los Angeles was still slaughtered by the shooting of F Jayson Tatum.
The Lakers are 4-6 in their last 10 and currently sitting in 9th place in the Western Conference.
Typically favorites, the Lakers are just 6-11 at the spread. They’re 9-7-1 on the over/under, a relatively rare over .500 record given Unders are hitting at over a 60 percent rate.
That said, they’ll be taking on the Jerami Grant and Cade Cunningham-led Pistons. Detroit has actually won 3 of its last 10 games. They’re a marginally better 6-9 against the spread.
Lakers at Pistons odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Lakers -320 (bet $320 to win $100) | Pistons +250 (bet $100 to win $250)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers -7.5 (-102) | Pistons +7.5 (-122)
- Over/Under (O/U): 211.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Lakers at Pistons key injuries
Lakers
- F LeBron James (abdominal) questionable
- G Kendrick Nunn (knee) out
Pistons
- F Kelly Olynyk (knee) out
- G Killian Hayes (thumb) questionable
Lakers at Pistons odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 109, Pistons 103
Money line
PASS on the money line.
While the Pistons are an enticing play at home and +250, the Lakers are a surefire no in this situation as -320 is just far too rich for a team that has been awful at times this season.
Against the spread
BET on the PISTONS +7.5 (-122).
This spread will get some major help if James is ruled out, but after playing Friday, he should be expected to play. Even if he does, the Lakers don’t seem that much better, losing to the Celtics by 22. They have dropped 3 straight.
As for Detroit, what they do best is hustle. They rank top 10 in offensive rebounding rate despite being the lowest true shooting percentage.
They’re inefficient, but going against the 22nd ranked team in defensive rebounding rate, the Pistons should get a plethora of second chance opportunities.
I’d bank that there’s enough of those to keep them in the game, at least within touchdown difference.
Over/Under
“LEAN” on the OVER 211.5 (-115) as the Pistons should morph to how the Lakers prefer to play, and this season, Los Angeles ranks in the top five in pace.
The Pistons sit at 19th and have the far younger roster, so they should be wanting to push the pace as well.
With the high-flying Grant and the rising-star Cunningham both having played well over the last few weeks, the Pistons should be able to start shooting better from the field. They rank 19th in shooting over the last five games.
The second-chance opportunities for Detroit and the Lakers pace should push the Over in this one.
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