NBA Basketball
2026-02-27 - Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NBA Basketball
Friday 27th February 2026 - Scheduled 7pm
12pm (British Time)
Preview
Both of these teams will be pushing for a top four finish in the Eastern Conference and that could mean a potential Second Round or Conference Finals Series coming up in April/May.
At this stage of the regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers (37-23) are just managing the minutes of some key players as they push to make sure they are healthy going into the post-season. They are currently the Number 4 Seed in the Eastern Conference, but those remaining healthy on the roster are just focusing on making sure they do not allow the 2.5 game gap between the Cavaliers and the Number 5 Seed close any further.
The Cavaliers may be the favourites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, but they have lost two of the last three games. Evan Mobley missed the last one, but should be ready to play, and the likes of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell could be missing on Friday.
The latter of those names is more likely to miss out, but being without both Mitchell and Harden would be a blow against the current top Seed in the Conference in Detroit Pistons (43-14).
Detroit made harder work than expected of the short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder, but have had another day of rest, which should sharpen the players. This is a big game for the Pistons to just continue to make a statement against some of the top teams in the NBA and they have placed plenty of stock into this week having already played San Antonio Spurs and the aforementioned Thunder.
It has perhaps built up some pressure on the players, but winning last time out will help and the Pistons look healthier than Cleveland.
The two teams will both look to push the Defensive intensity and see if that gives them an opportunity to produce the statement win, although it is always going to be more difficult for the road team without two influential Offensive players.
Next week the Cleveland Cavaliers will be hosting Detroit and that may be the time when they really want to have players available to show what they can do.
Defensive schemes will make the Cavaliers tough to beat, but the Detroit Pistons have some momentum and a bit more rhythm with the Offensive players they can put on the court. That can play out in this pretty interesting regular season game and the home advantage may just see the Pistons clear the line set.
Prediction
Lay the points with the home favourite.
The Pick :
Detroit Pistons 112-104 Cleveland Cavaliers
