The Detroit Pistons (35-28) and Golden State Warriors (35-28) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Warriors are 6-point favorites over the Pistons on the spread (Warriors -6), with the over/under set at 227 total points. Golden State is a -245 favorite to win outright, while Detroit is +200 to pull off the upset.
The Pistons are the upstarts. The Warriors are revitalized with Jimmy Butler. Let's get into my Pistons vs. Warriors predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, March 8.
Pistons vs. Warriors Picks, Prediction
Spread
My Warriors vs. Pistons best bet is on Detroit to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at BetMGM. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Over/Under
I'm staying away from the total in tonight's contest.
My Pick: Pistons +6
Pistons vs. Warriors Odds
| Pistons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-110 | 237 -110 / -110 | +200 |
| Warriors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -110 | 237 -110 / -110 | -245 |
- Pistons vs. Warriors spread: Warriors -6
- Pistons vs. Warriors over/under: 237 total points
- Pistons vs. Warriors moneyline: Pistons +200, Warriors -245
- Pistons vs. Warriors best bet: Pistons +6 (-110)
Pistons vs. Warriors Preview
The Warriors shoot around the same percentage from 3-point range as the Pistons but substantially more often. Golden State is 3rd in three-point rate, while Detroit is 20th.
Detroit is 26th in guarding off-screen action (off-ball screens). That’s deadly vs. the Warriors with Steph Curry when their offense relies on it so heavily.
The Pistons are a heavy rim team, and the Warriors are elite at defending the rim. Jalen Duren is likely to have a hard time and Isaiah Stewart will have to space the floor, but also manage to control his temper when Draymond Green is involved. Don’t be surprised if there’s an altercation.
Golden State is elite at defending in transition, which should further slow down the Pistons and put this game in a comfortable pace for the Warriors.
Betting Trends:
- The Pistons are 18-9 ATS after a loss this season, 9-5 ATS on the road, and 8-4 ATS as a road 'dog off a loss.
- The Warriors are 10-1 SU and 9-2 ATS with Jimmy Butler in the lineup.
- Golden State’s been mediocre as a home favorite overall this year, 10-10-1 ATS, but have covered four of their last five.
- The Warriors are just 7-8 ATS at home vs. teams over .500.
- The Pistons are 17-11 ATS against teams over .500, but 7-8 on the road in those spots.
- The over is 9-5 in Pistons road losses, 10-7 in Warriors home wins.
Pistons vs. Warriors Prediction
The matchup is not great for the Pistons, and they’re on a long West Coast road trip in cities that it’s fun to try out the nightlife in, so the spot isn’t great. But the number is just plain off.
I have given the Warriors a 4-point upgrade in power rating and can still only get this to Warriors -3.7 if I use normalized homecourt advantage. When factoring the Warriors’ actual home performance this season, I make this a pick‘em.
The Warriors have been a hot knife through butter with Jimmy Butler. But this is three possessions against a team that has consistently overperformed in these spots. (19-6-1 ATS as more than a six point dog). I’ll grab the points with the Pistons .
I also lean towards the over. The over is 10-6 when the Pistons are 'dogs of this size. Golden State should force turnovers to fuel their break and score, the Pistons might struggle at the rim, but have the shooting to keep pace.
The Pistons have trouble with turnovers, and Jimmy Butler leads the Warriors with 4.7 points off turnovers per game. I like Butler to put up 20+ points.
Jalen Duren will have a hard time scoring against this tough interior defense of the Warriors, I’ll take him to score under 11.5 points.
At DraftKings, a parlay consisting of Pistons +7.5, Warriors ML, Duren under 11.5 points, and Butler 20+ points comes out to +1000. I’ll sprinkle that for a long shot as well. I do think the Warriors win, but the Pistons should be able to hang around.
Best Bet: Pistons +6 (-110)
Same Game Parlay Picks
- Jimmy Butler 20+ Points
- Jalen Duren Under 11.5 Points
- Warriors Moneyline
- Pistons +7.5
Parlay Payout: +1000
Warriors vs. Pistons Betting Trends
