On Saturday, 03/08, the Golden State Warriors (35-28) will host the Detroit Pistons (35-28) in an inter-conference Regular-Season match-up. The Warriors have roared into the fifth spot in the West, whereas the Pistons are comfortably sitting at the sixth position in the East. Will the Warriors continue their resurgence against Detroit? Read about the preview, total predictions, and player props here.
Warriors: Jimmy Butler has revived their season
The Golden State Warriors march into this battle after a 2-point win against the Brooklyn Nets as a clutch Stephen Curry erupted for 40 points. They erased a 22-point deficit and stacked up their third win in a row. Jimmy Butler has been a huge addition to the squad, and the Warriors are 10-2(one loss in his absence) since trading for him. Their offense and defense have seen a huge uptick, as they have conceded fewer than 108 points a game while scoring over 120 PPG, both huge improvements from their season average. Thus, JB’s inclusion has helped them back a top-six squad, and they can go even higher, considering their current trajectory.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Stephen Curry | SG: Brandin Podziemski | SG/SF: Moses Moody | SF: Jimmy Butler | PF/C: Draymond Green
Key Injuries/Updates: Jonathan Kuminga is likely to be OUT. The status of Brandin Podziemski is UNCLEAR right now.
Pistons: They are seeing a renaissance
The Pistons will enter the affair after an 8-point loss against the Los Angeles Clippers despite a 37-point, 10-assist, and 7-rebound performance by their ace Cade Cunningham. This loss broke a two-game winning streak, and the brilliant squad has been 10-2 since the second week of February. They have built a tremendous offense under the leadership of Cunningham, while Malik Beasley has provided decisive scoring punch off the bench. Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson have hustled their heart out to keep Detroit up and runnin’, but they need to do better defensively against high-scoring teams.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG/SG: Cade Cunningham | SG/SF: Tim Hardaway Jr.| SF: Ausar Thompson | PF: Tobias Harris| C: Jalen Duren
Key Injuries/Updates: Jaden Ivey is OUT. The status of Tobias Harris is unclear..
Both the Warriors and the Pistons regularly score 120+ or more on a high clip while containing teams under 110. I believe the overall total will be somewhere in the middle of the 108-114 points range for both the teams. This game can yield up to 220-230 points, but I have some doubts if the overall total will go past 240.
Projected Predictions:
Stephen Curry to score over 30.5 points: The Warriors’ talisman has notched 30+ PPG since February and is in no mood to stop anytime soon. I believe he will put up 31-35 points here.
Jimmy Butler to score over 20.5 points: The two-way Wing has put up just over 16 PPG since being acquired by the Warriors. He scored 25 points in the last game, but I expect him to be in the 21-24 points range.
Cade Cunningham to dish over 9.5 assists: The Pistons PG is one of the best passers in the league and has compiled 9.4 APG this season. I expect him to cross his season average mark here.
Malik Beasley to nail over 4.5 assists: The Pistons’ guard has nailed 4 triples per game in the last four games. However, I expect him to be in the 5-6 range here.
The Warriors are in their best rhythm since their early 12-3 start to the season. Butler has helped them shut down multiple offenses while enabling the smooth flow on the offensive end. The Pistons are no pushovers, too, and their offense has been a huge plus-point. However, I see the Dubs surviving multiple Detroit runs here while closing the deal with a decisive run. I believe they will win by 6-9 points here.
Safe Spread Pick: Warriors -7.5 for +105 at BetMGM
Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski- Imagn Images
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