At least the teams won’t have to travel far. After ending the regular season in a matchup of reserves with Detroit’s B team getting the better of the Cavs’ B team, the regulars will get back on the floor when the team’s begin their first round series Sunday at The Q.
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Detroit Pistons -10.5
Cleveland Cavaliers +10.5
Over/Under 201
LOOK AHEAD
The Pistons ended a six-year playoff drought by locking down the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. It wasn’t the most glamorous season but Detroit outlasted Chicago and Washington to earn a matchup with the East favorite Cavaliers. Making the playoffs is validation for this group of players, few of whom have playoff experience. It’s also visible proof that the organization is headed in the right direction.
The Pistons won 12 more games than they did last season and won three of four from their division rival Cavaliers during the regular season, though Wednesday’s finale is hardly a measuring stick. Both teams rested their starters in preparation for the series opener. Despite Wednesday’s loss, Cleveland owned the best home record in the Eastern Conference at 33-8. Detroit’s 18 road wins were the fewest among the East’s playoff teams.
INJURIES
Reggie Jackson wanted to play in the Pistons’ final two regular season games, but the coaching staff decided to sit their point guard after he felt some abdominal pain Tuesday morning before the team’s final regular season home game. Jackson said he’s feeling better and expects to play in Sunday’s series opener.
Cleveland’s backcourt took a hit with knee injuries to Mo Williams and Iman Shumpert. Williams has been plagued by his injury for much of the season while Shumpert had fluid drained from his knee last weekend. Both are expected to be available once the playoffs start, but the Cavs signed veteran Dahntay Jones as insurance.
KEY MATCHUP
LeBron James is the ultimate playoff performer. Now he’s rested and ready to go again. His past 11 games were just a primer for what’s next. In that span, the King averaged 28.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game while shooting a sizzling 62.3 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from behind the arc. James has played 178 playoff games over his brilliant career, averaging nearly 30 points while chipping in with 8.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists. His Finals series last year was remarkable with an average of 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists, and he became the first player to lead both Finals teams in points, rebounds and assists. The Cavs have their roster intact entering the NBA playoffs and the hope is that James won’t have to carry the entire load again this season. But if it’s needed, James is capable of doing just that.
QUICK PICK
Even though Detroit won three of four regular season games against the Cavs, Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy doesn’t consider that a true barometer of how the teams stack up. Wednesday’s tilt was a matchup of reserves and two other times Cleveland was playing the second of a back-to-back, so you can forgive SVG if he’s not all giddy about his team’s chances. Detroit has to get Andre Drummond involved early and often. The big center is Detroit’s only real mismatch in the series and running the offense through him could make the wing players more dangerous. Defensively they have to contain James, and that’s easier said than done when he’s on a mission.
NBA Odds: Cleveland 107, Detroit 100
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