Cleveland is riding high on a six-game winning streak, the latest coming via a 108-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. On the flip side, Detroit is sliding, having lost three of their last four games - including a close 114-110 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.
These two teams met earlier this season on December 28, and the Pistons won in shocking 103-80 fashion.
Projected Starting Lineups
Cleveland Cavaliers (25-20)
G Kyrie Irving – 20.9 ppg, 5.2 apg
G J.R. Smith – 15.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg
F LeBron James – 26.2 ppg, 7.4 apg, 5.6 rpg
F Kevin Love – 17.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg
C Timofey Mozgov– 9.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg
Detroit Pistons (17-28)
G D.J. Augustin – 9.0 ppg, 4.2 apg
G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – 11.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg
F Kyle Singler – 7.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg
F Greg Monroe – 15.1 ppg, 10.2 rpg
C Andre Drummond – 12.5 ppg, 12.8 rpg
What to watch for:
How do the Pistons play without Brandon Jennings?
Detroit's offense didn't miss a beat in their first game without starting point guard Brandon Jennings, who's out for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. D.J. Augustin is a capable replacement in Detroit's starting lineup, but it really hurts their depth. Look for Cleveland to try and play a fast-paced game to take advantage of this.
Can Detroit play good enough defense?
In their first matchup of the season, the Pistons caught the Cavs when Cleveland was out of sorts and not playing very well at all offensively, which led to the blowout. Now the Cavaliers look like they've figured it out. Detroit is not a great defensive team, especially on the perimeter (they give up over 100 points a game). LeBron James, J.R. Smith, and Kyrie Irving should have big games, and if they do, Cleveland will win this one in a rout.
Prediction: Cavs win 115-98
Detroit has been playing good basketball since they waived Josh Smith, but Cleveland has turned a corner and are playing as good as anyone in the league. The Cavs are averaging over 114 points a game during this winning streak, and the Pistons won't have enough firepower to keep up.
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