Cavaliers vs. Pistons Summer League Prediction and Odds for Thursday, July 14 (Detroit Misses Ivey in Vegas)

Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23)
Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) / Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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Cleveland and Detroit matchup in Vegas on Thursday night as the summer league continues to roll along. We don’t have as many stars in action as we did a few days ago with Paolo Banchero getting shut down, and the Pistons first-rounder, Jaden Ivey rolling his ankle a few days ago. I don’t expect to see Ivey again, but we can still get a look at the young talent on these two future eastern conference contenders. 

It’s only summer league. The games don’t count, but the money you win is worth just as much as the NBA Finals. 

Cavaliers vs. Pistons Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

  • Cavaliers +2.5 (-105)
  • Pistons -2.5 (-115)

Moneyline

  • Cavaliers +126
  • Pistons -152

Total

  • 176.5 (Over -110 / Under -110)

Cavaliers vs. Pistons Prediction and Pick

The Pistons are 2-1 so far in summer league, but have lost their luster a bit without Jaden Ivey. It is hard to find reports, but I would speculate that we will not see him again until the regular season. Ivey was so good in the minutes he did play in summer league that the Pistons have likely seen enough. 

Detroit’s last time out was a 101-87 loss to Indiana that did not include Saben Lee, Isaiah Stewart, Isaiah Livers, and of course Ivey. Those players were the experienced guys that made the Pistons a smart bet in their first two summer league matchups. Without them, Jalen Duren and Buddy Boeheim were the offensive leaders. Duren had 12 points, and Boeheim had18. While Duren was a lottery pick, he is surrounded by mostly undrafted players at this point, which does not give me the same confidence. 

The Cavaliers first round pick, Ochai Agbaji, is averaging 16 points per game on 42.9% shooting and 43.5% from three. While I typically look for established pros in their second year to bet on, Cleveland seems to have the next best thing --experienced rookies who were four-year college starters. Agbaji and Isaiah Mobley are leading this team and I think they give them an edge on Detroit today. 

Pick: Cavaliers ML +126


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