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The second round of the NBA Playoffs began on Monday. We were treated to two matches, and one was clearly better than the other. This should probably be the case for Tuesday’s slate as well. Regardless of how the game plays out, if we can cash in a few betting slips, that’s really the main goal here. I expect the Cavaliers vs. Pistons game to be more entertaining tonight, and I have a bet for us on the matchup.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a makeover this season, but the first round of the playoffs was essentially the same result they’ve always had. They traded Darius Garland for James Harden and Dennis Schroder. It didn’t happen in the same trade, but it gave the team a new look after starting the year with Garland, Lonzo Ball and DeAndre Hunter. This team will only go as far as Harden and Donovan Mitchell take it.
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden talk during Game 2 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Ohio. (David Dermer/Imagn Images)
In the first round, the Cavaliers looked like a very bad team. They won four home games and lost all three away games. To be fair to them, they had at least two of those games in Toronto that were winnable. Even though they won games at home, they didn’t really dominate the Raptors. Game 7 was effortless, with a 12-point victory, but they were fortunate not to have Brandon Ingram in uniform for Toronto. I view Evan Mobley and Harden as the keys to winning this series for the Cavaliers.
The Detroit Pistons have received a bit of a wake-up call. They entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, but they looked anything but like a dominant team in the first round. They hosted the Magic and lost the first game. Then, they lost two of the next three games, losing 3-1 in the series. They won, as expected, in game five at home, but game six was wild. They were down and looking off the field in the second half. The Magic scored just 19 points in the second half and Detroit forced a game seven.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Ethan Thompson defends during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 12, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
In Game 7, the Pistons locked down and had control from the edge. It was an epic collapse for the Magic, and likely a disaster that cost their coach his job. The Pistons ended up winning by 22. They thus extended their coach. Interestingly enough, JB Bickerstaff, the coach, was fired by Cleveland in part due to a lack of playoff success. He must know the Cavs players very well and their strengths and weaknesses. I would expect him to be an X-factor if he can exploit weaknesses.
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In this series, expect Mitchell and Cade Cunningham to cancel each other out from a scoring standpoint. Jarrett Allen and Mobley will provide a wide variety of defense for Jalen Duren. The Pistons’ advantage will be Tobias Harris. For the Cavaliers, Mobley will be a tough matchup. Harden is also a guy who could have some mismatches.
Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons smiles after the game against the Toronto Raptors at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on December 30, 2023. (Chris Schwegler/NBAE)
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This is the tightest series in terms of money, with the Pistons being slight favorites. Three of the four regular season games were very close, with all three decided by four points or less. They both won two matches, one away and one at home. I don’t expect it to be a defensive series. This isn’t the game any of them really want to play. However, I think the Pistons are stuck. I haven’t seen much great from the Cavaliers on the road in the playoffs. Give me the Pistons -3.5 here.
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