NBA Betting: Misfiring Pistons Face Tough Pair

The struggling Detroit Pistons could be in for a rough weekend as the schedule makers have handed them a tough back-to-back with a home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, followed by a road game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.

Detroit will head into Saturday’s matchup having dropped six in a row straight up while going 1-5 against the spread. Making matters even worse for bettors, the Pistons were favored at Bovada Sportsbook in three of those SU losses.

Playing back-to-back games hasn’t been too hard on Detroit so far this season. In seven back-to-backs the Pistons are 4-3 SU and 5-2 ATS in the first game, and 5-2 SU and 4-2-1 ATS in the second.

The Thunder have a matchup with the Washington Wizards on Thursday night and head into that game having won five straight SU at 3-2 ATS. Earlier this season the Thunder faced the Pistons as an 8.5-point home underdog and were upset 99-98. Including that loss the Thunder are 1-3 SU and ATS in their last four versus the Pistons, and they’re only 2-6 ATS in their last eight matchups.

Before getting the Pistons, the Cavaliers face the Indiana Pacers on Friday as they try to stop their recent swoon. Entering the weekend Cleveland is a horrid 1-6 SU in its last seven and has lost nine straight ATS. The Cavaliers can take some solace in the fact they destroyed Detroit 116-88 as a 2-point favorite the last time they met up in November, and they’re 7-2 SU and 5-4 ATS in their last nine against the Pistons.

Looking at earlier NBA weekend games, the Houston Rockets look to continue their recent hot streak when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

The Rockets have won four straight at 3-1 ATS, and they’re 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS in their last eight games. New Orleans has been no slouch lately either at 6-1 SU and 4-3 ATS in their last seven.

The Pelicans are also on a four-game winning streak at home, but it hasn’t translated to profits for bettors as they are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games.

Houston and New Orleans last met up in December in a high-scoring affair that the Rockets won 130-123 as a 13.5-point favorite. Including that win the Rockets are 6-1 SU and 4-3 ATS in their last seven versus the Pelicans.