Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons Prediction, Preview and Odds - 02/27/2026

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Friday, February 27, 2026

Venue:  Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI 

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Cavaliers +6.5, Pistons -6.5; Over/Under:  225.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Cavaliers +6.5, Pistons -6.5; Over/Under:  225.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Cavaliers +6.5, Pistons -6.5; Over/Under:  225.5 points

Cleveland Cavaliers:  37-23 (2nd place, Central Division)

Detroit Pistons:  43-14 (1st place, Central Division)

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Cleveland Cavaliers:  8-2 last 10

Detroit Pistons:  8-2 last 10

The Cavaliers are entering this game with a 37-23 record overall this season and they are 17-12 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Milwaukee Bucks. Jarrett Allen led the team in points in that game with 27 while Dennis Schröder was next on the team with 26 points. Craig Porter Jr. led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Jarrett Allen led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 48.3% from the field, 30% from 3-point range, and 74.1% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 119.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 115.1 PPG against them. The Cavaliers have an ATS record of 25-35 this season and their O/U record is 29-31.

The Pistons are entering this game with a 43-14 record overall this season and they are 22-7 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren each led the team in points in that game with 29 while Duncan Robinson was next on the team with 16 points. Cade Cunningham led the team in assists in that game with 13 while Jalen Duren led the team in rebounds with 15. They were 53.9% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range, and 73.1% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 109.5 PPG against them. The Pistons have an ATS record of 30-27 this season and their O/U record is 25-31-1.

The current betting odds have the Pistons listed as a 6.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Pistons have looked great in their games this season with their 43-14 record overall which has them right at the top of the East with one of the best records in the entire NBA. They have looked great on their home court too with their 22-7 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have looked really good in their games this season with their 37-23 record overall which has them in the top half of the East. They have been a good road team too with their 17-12 road record this year. The Cavaliers had a slower start to the season and were struggling a lot at the start of the year, but lately they have been rolling in their games. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games and have been climbing up the standings in the East, but they are off a road loss to a bad Bucks team in their last one and they could be missing some key players in this game. The Pistons have also been rolling in their games lately and they have the talent to take advantage of a shorthanded Cavaliers team. The Pistons are 8-2 in their last 10 games and they have been leading the East all season, being one of the most consistent teams in the NBA this year. They had a slip up against the Spurs the other night, but they got back on track with a win over the Thunder in their last one, and now they will be looking to take advantage of another banged up team here. The Cavs won't be able to hang with the Pistons in this one, especially if they are missing some starters again. The best way to place a bet here is on the Pistons to cover the spread in this game. 

Cavaliers Pistons Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Friday, February 27, 2026 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Pistons 117 Cavaliers 106.

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Cleveland Cavaliers: 3-6 ATS in a road game where the total is 220 to 229.5. 2-7 ATS revenging a home loss vs opponent. 3-8 ATS when playing against a top-level team (Win Pct. > 70%). 8-4 UNDER versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 3+ per game. 

Detroit Pistons: 15-8 ATS when the total is 220 to 229.5. 18-10 ATS after playing a home game. 11-5 UNDER versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 3+ points/game. 17-9 UNDER when playing against a team with a winning record. 

Cleveland Cavaliers:  J. Harden (PG) Day To Day - Thumb. D. Mitchell (SG) Day To Day - Groin. E. Mobley (PF) Day To Day - Injury Maintenance. M. Strus (SF) Out - Foot.

Detroit Pistons:  None.

"Bringing James on has given us a renewed confidence, if that makes sense. We understand we're a better team. That spirit, that confidence for some strange reason, it makes you play harder, compete harder, compete harder defensively. I felt like we were kind of missing that edge, that belief. I feel like we're regaining that. A lot of it has to do with who we added in the trade." - Kenny Atkinson on the addition of James Harden.

"Those guys, no matter who’s on the floor for them, they’re champions — that means a lot. You don’t get to that level, compete at that level, go through as difficult scenarios as it is to win a championship and not understand how to step up when your time is called. They’re deep. They’re experienced.” - J.B. Bickerstaff after his team’s win against the OKC Thunder in their game on Wednesday.

PG James Harden

SG Donovan Mitchell

SF Dean Wade

PF Evan Mobley

C Jarrett Allen

PG Cade Cunningham

SG Duncan Robinson

SF Ausar Thompson

PF Tobias Harris

C Jalen Duren

PPG: Donovan Mitchell (28.5)

APG: James Harden (8)

Reb/G: Jarrett Allen (8.6)

PPG: Cade Cunningham (25.4)

APG: Cade Cunningham (9.8)

Reb/G: Jalen Duren (10.6)

Coaches:

Cleveland Cavaliers: Kenny Atkinson (2nd season)

Detroit Pistons: J.B. Bickerstaff (2nd season)