NBA Eastern Conference Betting: Motor City Money 

The Detroit Pistons are in the midst of an 11-game winning streak and sit atop the Eastern Conference at 13-2 and only bested by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who are 14-1. 

They also lead the East in point differential at +6.8 and are second in opponents’ points per game in the conference, allowing 112.1. 

What makes this even more impressive is the early injury woes they’ve faced. Jaden Ivey has yet to play after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in his right knee on Oct. 16.

Tobias Harris has missed nine straight games since suffering a right ankle injury Nov. 1. Ausar Thompson was sidelined five games with an ankle injury, while their top two players, Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, missed three and two games, respectively. 

The Pistons gave the Knicks all they could handle in their first-round playoff matchup last season before bowing out in six games. This year’s version should be better. 

Cunningham looks like he might get some MVP votes this season and Duren is taking his game to another level as the current favorite to win the Most Improved Player Award. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers are the consensus betting favorite to win the East, followed by the New York Knicks. At Fanduel, the Cavs are +250 while the Knicks are +370.

Those odds say Cleveland and New York have a 28% and 21% chance, respectively, to make it to the NBA Finals. 

The Pistons are priced at +850, which equates to a 9 percent chance. The oddsmakers, thus, see a definitive gap between them and the Cavs and Knicks.

Nothing I’ve seen this season points to that being the case, and that’s why I think you’re getting good value with the Pistons at their current odds.

Andy Roth has covered the NBA for various outlets since 1979 and is a regular contributor to Hoops Wire. Follow him @arhooptalk