NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
The NBA Playoffs had their second round underway on Monday. We were treated to two games, and one was significantly better than the other. That should probably also be the expectation for Tuesday’s board. Regardless of how the game goes, if we can cash in on some betting slips, that’s really the main goal here. I expect the Cavaliers vs. The Pistons will be a more entertaining game tonight and I have a bet for us on the game.
The Cleveland Cavaliers had a bit of a makeover this season, but the first round of the playoffs was pretty much 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 will take it.
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden talk during Game 2 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs vs. Toronto Raptors at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Ohio. (David Dermer/Imagn Images)
In the first round, the Cavaliers looked like a really bad team. They won four games at home and lost all three away games. In fairness, they had at least two of those games in Toronto winnable. While they won games at home, they didn’t exactly dominate the Raptors. Game 7 was pretty sweat-free with a 12-point win, but they were lucky not to have Brandon Ingram suit up for Toronto. I see both Evan Mobley and Harden as keys to winning this series for the Cavaliers.
The Detroit Pistons got 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 the part of a dominant team in the opening round. They hosted the Magic and lost the opener. Then they lost two of the next three games and fell 3-1 in the series. They won Game 5 at home as expected, but Game 6 was wild. They were down and out of it in the second half. The Magic scored just 19 points in the second half and Detroit forced a Game 7.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham dribbles the ball as Indiana Pacers guard Ethan Thompson defends during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 12, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
In Game 7, the Pistons locked in and were in control from the tip. It was an epic collapse from the Magic, and probably a disaster that cost their coach his job. The Pistons ended up winning by 22. They extended their coach as a result. Interestingly, JB Bickerstaff, the coach, was fired by Cleveland in part due to a lack of playoff success. He should be very familiar with the Cavs players and their strengths and weaknesses. I expect him to be an X-factor if he can exploit the weaknesses.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
In this series, expect Mitchell and Cade Cunningham to cancel each other out from a scoring perspective. Jarrett Allen and Mobley will give Jalen Duren a great variety of defenses. The Pistons’ advantage will be Tobias Harris. For the Cavaliers, Mobley will be a tough matchup. Harden is also a guy who might get some mismatches.
Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons smiles after the game against the Toronto Raptors at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich., on Dec. 30, 2023. (Chris Schwegler/NBAE)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
This is the tightest series in terms of pricing, with the Pistons being slight favorites. Three of the four games were very close in the regular season, with all three being decided by four or fewer points. They both won two games, one away and one at home. I don’t expect this to be a defensive series. It’s not the game either of them really want to play. I think the pistons are locked in though. I haven’t seen much good from the Cavaliers on the road in the playoffs. Give me the stamps -3.5 here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
For more information on sports betting and gambling, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024
