by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Oct 30, 2021
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Where to watch: YES, Bally Sports Detroit
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Nets -13.5; O/U 216
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: Nets -13.5; O/U 215
Season record
Pistons: 0-4 (currently playing Orlando)
Nets: 3-3
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Pistons - Nets preview and analysis
Recent form
Pistons: get result of Magic game
Nets: won 105-98 vs. Pacers on Friday
Welcome to the Cade Cunningham Show in Detroit.
The No. 1 overall pick made his NBA debut on Saturday against the Orlando Magic, scoring only two points to go with seven rebounds and five assists in the Detroit Pistons' 110-103 victory for their first win of the season at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday.
Going against Jalen Suggs? Important on its own merit. Facing Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets? That's another story in this Eastern Conference matchup.
The Pistons will play their second game of a back-to-back on Sunday in Brooklyn against the Nets, who are still trying to weave through the woods without Kyrie Irving as evidence of their 3-3 start.
But at least the Pistons have something to be excited about with Cunningham trying to change the trajectory of Detroit basketball. You can't now read that without hearing it. You're welcome.
Prior to the Orlando win, Detroit had its best effort of the season in an 8-point loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Saddiq Bey continued his strong start with 19 points to go along with six rebounds, and Kelly Olynyk and Jerami Grant pitched in with 14 points each.
Those were the only players to score in double figures on that night. Detroit went through an 11-man rotation to only lose by eight. The problem was they couldn't contain Joel Embiid with his 30 points and 18 rebounds, while Tobias Harris was next in line with 17 points.
"I didn't start off the game well and missed some early reads and easy shots," Bey said. "The rhythm was a little off at the beginning. I want to win so bad that I'm going to find the rhythm and help the team as much as possible."
The Pistons are hoping they catch the Nets on the wrong side of the alternating wins-loss ledger. Brooklyn has won and then dropped a game through six contests but are coming off a seven-point win at home against the Indiana Pacers. The game prior, Brooklyn lost by 13 against the Miami Heat.
But the Pacers win was big for many reasons. James Harden broke out of an early-season slump to finish with 29 points, while Durant added 22. LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 points and scored 17 in the second half to reach 20,000 for his borderline Hall-of-Fame career.
"Solid win," Durant said. "[We] did a good job of fighting back."
The Nets are going to be without Irving for lord knows how long. That we know. But how the Nets can get Harden out of this slump is going to be another factor. If the Nets are to do anything this year, Harden and Durant are going to be the dynamic duo many believe them to be. Durant has done his part.
Prediction
With the Pistons on a back-to-back, this should be something for the Nets to take advantage of. I do wonder if Cunningham's presence will put a jolt into Detroit like it showed in the first half. But I also think Cunningham drawing the assignment of either Harden or Durant will not make things easy on the rookie and his defense. Good test for that ankle. Nets by 15
Betting trends
The under is 6-0 this season in Nets games.
Brooklyn is 47-50 ATS as a favorite over the past three seasons.
Brooklyn is 41-27 straight up over the past three seasons following a stretch of winning two of its last three games.
Projected starting lineup
Pistons:
PG: Killian Hayes
SG: Cade Cunningham
SF: Saddiq Bey
PF: Kelly Olynyk
C: Isaiah Stewart
Nets:
PG: James Harden
SG: Joe Harris
SF: Bruce Brown
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Blake Griffin
Statistical leaders
Pistons:
Points: Saddiq Bey -- 18.2
Rebounds: Saddiq Bey -- 9.5
Assists: Killian Hayes -- 3.0
Blocks: Jerami Grant -- 2.0
Steals: Jerami Grant -- 2.3
Nets:
Points: Kevin Durant -- 28.5
Rebounds: Kevin Durant -- 10.5
Assists: James Harden -- 8.0
Blocks: LaMarcus Aldridge -- 1.4
Steals: James Harden -- 1.2
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
