The Washington Wizards (7-17) visit the Detroit Pistons (11-15) Monday at Little Caesars Arena. Tip-off is scheduled at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Wizards-Pistons odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Wizards at Pistons: Key injuries
Wizards
- PG Isaiah Thomas (calf) questionable
- SF C.J. Miles (wrist) out
- C Moritz Wagner (ankle) out
- C Thomas Bryant (foot) out
- SG Jordan McRae (finger) out
- PG John Wall (Achilles) out
Pistons
- C Andre Drummond (eye) questionable
- PF Blake Griffin (knee) questionable
- PG Reggie Jackson (back) out
- SG Khryi Thomas (foot) out
Wizards at Pistons: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Monday at 12:50 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Wizards 125, Pistons 117
Moneyline (ML)
The Pistons (-223) are sizable favorites coming off a 115-107 road victory over the Houston Rockets Saturday. They’re 6-4 over their last 10 games and 7-6 on home court for the season. The WIZARDS (+180) are on a four-game losing skid and are just 3-11 on the road. I like Washington in an upset spot with the Pistons’ two frontcourt stars in Griffin and Drummond not at 100%. The Wizards won the season’s first head-to-head meeting 115-99 in Washington in early November.
Washington plays to the league’s second-highest pace of 104.90 possessions per game while Detroit is 24th (99.08). The Wizards rank second in the Eastern Conference with 117.4 points per game, and without their top two interior defenders, the Pistons won’t be able to prevent the visitors from putting up an insurmountable score.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Wizards to win outright returns a profit of $18.
Against the Spread (ATS)
The spread is a much safer, if less profitable, play than the moneyline. Back the WIZARDS (+4.5, +105) to stay within 5 points in a loss or to win outright. The Wiz are 12-11 against the spread overall and 7-6 on the road. The Pistons are 11-14 ATS overall but 7-5 at home.
The quicker Wizards will be able to outlast the Pistons, especially if Drummond and Griffin need to sit out. If it’s unable to win outright, Washington will at least be able to add some late points to narrow the score.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the OVER 228.5 (-121). Detroit’s marquee injuries will open the paint for the Wizards. The Pistons are likely to rely more heavily on their shooting and, in turn, play to a quicker pace without either or both of the star big men.
The Wizards are 13-10-1 against the Over/Under for the year and top the projections by 8.8 PPG. The Pistons are 14-12 with a neutral point differential against the lines.
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Esten’s NBA betting record: 91-65
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