Pistons vs. Bulls: Preview, odds, props and best bets

As the Pistons languish at the bottom of the standings, the team finds itself in a position to play spoiler to some of its most heated rivals. Detroit (8-49, 28-28-1 ATS) travels to face the Chicago Bulls (27-30, 30-26-1 ATS) on Tuesday. The Pistons enter on a six-game losing skid.

Following a heartbreaking loss to Orlando over the weekend, the Pistons set off on this two-game road back-to-back in New York and Chicago. Despite another tough loss, this one in the Big Apple, Detroit sees an opportunity to potentially loosen the Bulls’ grip on one of the Eastern Conference’s Play-In Tournament spots.

Here’s a look at the odds from the top Michigan sportsbooks for this NBA grudge match:

The Pistons enter the NBA season’s stretch run with the league’s worst record once again. While that affords Detroit the best odds at the No. 1 overall pick, it’s no guarantee thanks to the draft lottery - which was the case last season when the Pistons slipped from the top pick to No. 5. So now, Detroit can play spoiler for their rivals and grab a few wins down the stretch, especially since there’s no clear consensus at the top of the draft boards.

The Bulls come to this contest following a crunchtime win in New Orleans. DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points, including a game-sealing three-pointer with 30 seconds remaining, to help snap Chicago’s two-game losing skid. The Bulls remain without Zach LaVine and played without Patrick Williams, who will also miss the remainder of the season.

These teams have not met since early November and split their games from early this season. The Pistons won against Chicago in late October, then proceeded to lose 28 straight. During that stretch, the Bulls defeated Detroit handily at home.

• The Pistons enter this one just 1-11 straight up in Central Division games this season but sport a 6-5-1 mark against the spread in those games.
• Detroit holds a 15-14 mark against the spread as a road underdog this season.
• The Bulls hold a 9-4 mark against the spread with a rest advantage.
• Chicago enters with a 6-4 ATS record in divisional games, but only 7-9 ATS as a home favorite.
• The Pistons have seen the under hit in five straight, including in each of their last four road games.
• The Bulls have seen the over hit in seven of their last nine games.

• Both matchups between these teams earlier this season hit the over.
• Chicago’s seen the over hit in 13 of its last 20 games, including in six of its last seven home games.
• Both defenses rank in the bottom third of the league in Opponent Effective Field Goal percentage (Chicago is 20th at 55.5% and Detroit is 22nd at 56.1%).
• Chicago ranks 30th in 3-pointers allowed per game (39.2) and 29th in opponent threes made (14.5), which should push the point total.

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• Cunningham came out of the All-Star break blazing, scoring 88 points over three games.
• Chicago has surrendered over 20 points to five different wing players over the last three games.
• The Bulls struggle to defend the three-point line, and Cunningham has feasted there of late, netting 56.5% of his threes since the All-Star break.
• In four career games against the Bulls, Cunningham averages 16.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game on 41 percent shooting.

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