Friday NBA Picks: Pistons vs Cavs, Nuggets vs Thunder, and More

Few people seem to notice that it is now the Detroit Pistons who own the best record in the NBA. Those same Pistons that went 14-68 just two seasons ago.

That fast 24-1 start by the Oklahoma City Thunder fueled talk of a 70-win season but now OKC (45-15, .750) looks up at the Pistons (43-14, .754) after Detroit’s 124-116 home win over the Thunder on Wednesday. Of course, the absence of reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a big factor in why the Thunder have slid to No. 2 but it looks like he will be on the floor Friday.

The Pistons battle the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, while the Thunder take on the Denver Nuggets. The New York Knicks could be in for a test when they face the Milwaukee Bucks.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS AT DETROIT PISTONS

The Pistons can match last season’s victory total if they knock off a Cleveland squad that stands fourth in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers are ailing with Donovan Mitchell (right groin strain) ruled out and James Harden (fractured right thumb) listed as questionable.

MVP candidate Cade Cunningham is now a bona fide star and is averaging 25.4 points, 9.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds and figures to have his way with Cleveland’s shorthanded backcourt. Fellow All-Star Jalen Duren is thriving in the middle for first-place Detroit with averages of 18.2 points and 10.6 rebounds and he will certainly notice the absence of Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley (calf).

Cleveland didn’t have Harden in Wednesday’s 118-116 road loss to the Milwaukee Bucks and Dennis Schroder stepped up with 26 points. Schroder figures to step back down as the Cavaliers should struggle against the Pistons.

Pistons -6.5 points to cover spread, -108 (DraftKings)

DENVER NUGGETS AT OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

The Thunder are 5-4 since Gilgeous-Alexander went down with an abdominal injury earlier this month but he’s not listed on the injury report. That certainly bodes well for Oklahoma City as the club is merely just another team when the best player in the NBA is watching from the sideline.

Gilgeous-Alexander could be on a minutes’ restriction so it’s a good night to wait-and-see when it comes to his scoring prowess (30+ points, +107). Sidekick Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain) remains out but big man Chet Holmgren (back) has been cleared to play and the Thunder need him to mix it up with Denver star Nikola Jokic.

Jokic has notched three straight 30-point efforts and collected 20 rebounds in one of them and he may have to carry the Nuggets. Star guard Jamal Murray (illness) is questionable after leaving after eight minutes in Wednesday’s 103-84 home win over the Boston Celtics.

Nuggets +8.5 points to cover spread, -118 (DraftKings)

NEW YORK KNICKS AT MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is nearing his return but his right calf injury will cause him to miss his 14th straight game. Milwaukee has a big surprise for the player who might be in his last season with the team as it has won eight of its last 10 games. Yep, ripping off wins without him on the floor.

Kevin Porter Jr. had 20 points against Cleveland and 32 one night earlier in a 128-117 win over the Miami Heat and has topped 20 in four consecutive games. Interestingly, New York star Jalen Brunson (26.7 ppg) hasn’t scored more than 20 in three straight games so he might be about to explode with a huge outing.

The Knicks are 4-4 over their last eight games and averaged just 99.5 points in the first two contests of this three-game excursion. Even without Giannis again, the Bucks plus points look mighty delicious.

Bucks +7.5 points to cover spread, -108 (DraftKings)