The King’s Army – Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers

James, Cavaliers To Handle Dysfunctional Pistons Again

The Cleveland Cavaliers (67-16 SU, 51-32 ATS, 37-45-1 O/U) will look to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series over the Detroit Pistons (39-44 SU, 34-49 ATS, 40-41-2 O/U) when they host their division rivals at Quicken Loans Arena tonight at 8 PM ET.

The Cavaliers spanked Detroit in Game 1, winning 102-84 to easily cover the spread in the BetOnline Sportsbook as 12-point home favorites.

Superstar forward LeBron James scored a game-high 38 points, grabbed eight boards and dished out seven assists while the final score played Over the 176-point O/U total.

Young point guard Rodney Stuckey led Detroit with 20 points in a losing effort.

Here is a look at tonight’s key online NBA betting trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks.

The Pistons are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

The Pistons are 18-8-3 ATS in their last 29 Conference Quarterfinals games.

The Cavaliers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

The Cavaliers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. win.

The Favorite is 9-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

The Under is 29-7 in the last 36 meetings.

The Under is 16-5 in the last 21 meetings in Cleveland.

The Home team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

The Pistons are 5-12 ATS in the last 17 meetings.

The Pistons are 2-6 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Cleveland.

NBA Odds

Detroit Pistons +11 -110

Cleveland Cavaliers -11 -110

Over 178 -110

Under 178 -110

Analysis: Maybe it’s me, but I just don’t see the suddenly-dysfunctional Detroit Pistons winning this contest or covering the spread after their thorough dismantling in game 1 in which they generally looked uninterested and sick of playing with one another.

The loss of point guard Chauncey Billups ruined the Pistons’ 2008-09 season – and the Cavaliers will be bringing it to an end soon enough.

Take the Cavs to cover again with room to spare, while playing Over the O/U total for the second consecutive contest.

NBA Free Picks: Cavaliers -11 Points/Over 178 Total Points