What To Expect In Pistons-Cavs NBA In-Season Tournament Matchup

Fresh off of a four-game Western Conference road trip, the Cleveland Cavaliers will play their second NBA In-Season Tournament game of the season tonight, as they take on the Detroit Pistons.

Tonight also begins a stretch in which Cleveland will play seven of its next eight games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Here are four things to expect in tonight’s matchup between the Pistons and Cavaliers.

1. Lots of Cleveland Scoring Opportunities

The Wine and Gold should find their way to the free throw line often and force plenty of turnovers tonight.

As a team, Detroit is averaging the most fouls (24.1) and second-most turnovers (17.5) per game in the NBA so far this season.

2. Cavaliers Attacking the Paint

Cleveland’s offense has recently thrived inside, scoring at least 50 points in the paint in each of its last six games.

Also, the Pistons rank top-three in the league in fewest opponent three-pointers made (10.3, third-fewest) and attempted (29.1, second-fewest).

3. A Battle of 2021 Draft Picks

Two of the top-three picks in the 2021 NBA Draft will square off in Detroit’s Cade Cunningham (first overall) and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley (third overall).

Albeit through their first 12 and 11 games played this season, respectively, both are in the midst of career seasons.

Cunningham is averaging career-highs in points (21.7), assists (7.3), and minutes (36.2) per game, while Mobley is averaging career-highs in points (16.5), rebounds (10.5), assists (2.9), and blocks (1.9) per contest.

4. A Motivated Pistons Squad

With a 2-10 record, the Pistons have the worst winning percentage (16.7%) in the NBA, and have lost their last nine games.

Given this losing streak and the increased stakes of the NBA In-Season Tournament, Detroit should be very motivated for tonight’s tilt.