Despite being 1-2, the Detroit Pistons certainly look like a team that is improving, which is what an organization with bright young stars wants. Meanwhile, the 2-1 Washington Wizards continue to climb in the Eastern Conference, looking to fulfill their playoff potential.
The Wizards host the Pistons at 7:00 p.m. ET Wednesday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. It’s a must-win game for a Wizards team who is showing so far they can contend in the Southeast Division with the Hawks and Heat.
The Wizards are listed as favorites by five points, with an over/under set at 223. The moneyline favors the Wizards at -200, with the Pistons at +165, a slight switch from the opening of -190 and +169, respectively.
Detroit Pistons sorting through issues
The Pistons are very young at their core, with second-year guard Cade Cunningham, rookies Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, and third-years Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart. They just aren’t there with their efficiency yet.
The Pistons rank 25th in allowing 121 points per game and rank the same in teams converting 48.2% of field goal attempts against them. Opponents convert 39.1% of 3-point attempts against them, which ranks 24th.
Offensively they are the second-worst team at converting 41.6% of field goal attempts but are an improved 18th in nailing 35.3% of 3-point attempts. They are also 15th in scoring 111.3 points per game, in part due to a quicker pace.
The Pistons are 1-2 against the spread, including a dreadful 24-point loss at Madison Square Garden. Their opening night win against the Magic was a four-point win that covered -3.5. The over has hit in all three games and seven straight dating back to the end of last season.
Washington Wizards
The Wizards are better defensively, which is a large reason why they’re off to a strong start. They are limiting teams to 108 points per game, ranking seventh, and are third in defensive efficiency, with teams only making 41.5% of shots.
Offensively is a different story. The efficiency is still there, with a 48.6% field goal conversion rate to rank fifth. They are also 10th while making 38.8% of 3-pointers. Though they only average 107.7 points per game, ranking 24th, due to a slower pace.
They are 1-1-1 against the spread this season, and the under is 2-1 in their games. Their lone against the spread loss was losing in overtime at Cleveland on Sunday.
Pistons/Wizards Betting Prediction
There really isn’t a way around it; the Wizards are the better team. A healthy Bradley Beal is what the organization has needed, and with Kyle Kuzma benefitting from a change of scenery as well as unicorn forward Kristaps Porzingis, the Wizards have surrounded Beal with complementary pieces to contend for their division.
It starts with a needed win against a dreadful Pistons team. We’ll take Wizards -5 and over 223.
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