NBA
Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction – 23 Dec
SportsBoom previews the NBA cross-conference matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons on Monday, 23rd December 2024 at the Crypto.com Arena. With excitement building and anticipation growing ahead of tipoff, NBA betting fans are already diving into the odds and assessing both teams, hoping to find the best value. For a detailed, in-depth look at the match, be sure to check out our full preview.
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Anthony Davis battles for a rebound with Isaiah Livers//Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Lakers are keen to avenge their loss from earlier in the season while Pistons are looking for the seasonal sweep against one of its historic rivals.
The Lakers are ranked 7th on a tough and jammed Western Conference standings and will be looking to move up while the Pistons are 11th on the Eastern Conference Log. The Pistons lack consistency and will be looking to put in a solid run of results if they are to save their season.
The Lakers have dominated this fixture in recent matchups, winning eight of their last ten games. Most of those victories have been one-sided but that was expected considering the Pistons have had less competitive teams.
The last meeting between these two franchises saw the Pistons beat the Lakers 115-103 at the Little Caesars Arena in November. Those looking to bet on the game should check out various NBA betting sites for potential promotions
Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons at Crypto.Com Arena Match Details
Date: Monday 23rd December 2024
Start Time: 10:30 PM ET
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Last meeting: November 4th 2024 at the Caesars Arena; Detroit Pistons 115-103 Los Angeles Lakers
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability: LA Lakers the Favourites
Home: 47/100 (1.47) – 68%
Away: 9/5 (1.89) – 35.7%
*Odds courtesy of Stake, subject to change.
Head-to-Head Record
Last Five Matches:
| Season | Date | Result |
| 2024/2025 | November 4th 2024 | Detroit Pistons 115-103 Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2023/2024 | February 13th 2024 | Los Angeles Lakers 125-111 Detroit Pistons |
| 2023/2024 | November 29th 2023 | Detroit Pistons 107-133 Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2022/2023 | December 11th 2022 | Detroit Pistons 117-124 Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2022/2023 | November 18th2022 | Los Angeles Lakers 128-121 Detroit Pistons |
Los Angeles Lakers: Current Form – WWWLW
- Overall Record: 16-12
- Home Record: 9-3
- Away Record: 7-9
The Los Angeles Lakers season has been one of tips-savvy. They began with a lot of promise, but a tough stretch of away games saw them drop down the Western Conference Standings. Many of the Lakers faithful are hopeful of a championship under the LeBron James/ Anthony Davis duo, but the Lakers are clearly some pieces away from contention.
Injuries have been a thorn on JJ Reddick’s side, with key rotational players missing large chunks of the season so far. Anthony Davis has been putting up MVP-caliber numbers and LeBron James continues to defy father time in his 22nd season. Rookie Dalton Knecht has proved to be a draft still, and will be a vital piece for the Lakers for many years.
It’s still early days but the Lakers have taken to head coach JJ Reddick’s offense like a duck to water and with players returning to fitness, the Lakers can challenge for the playoffs in the Wild West. The Lakers are currently on a three-game winning streak.
Key Players to Watch
- Anthony Davis: Anthony Davis has been a monster this season. He is the team’s leading scorer and is their defensive anchor. A shoo-in Defensive Player of the Year candidate, the “Brow” is one of the best big men in the NBA. Barring any injuries, Davis will wreak havoc on any team in the Association.
- LeBron James: LeBron James continues to evolve his game despite being in his 22nd year in the League. Despite his waning athleticism, “King James” became a potent sniper, shooting career highs in three-point percentage. LeBron is still the go-to playmaker for the Lakers, with his unmatched Basketball IQ and passing ability.
- Austin Reaves: Austin Reaves has been the Laker’s point guard for much of the season. Reaves is capable of scoring on all three levels. His decision-making has improved. Reaves’s ability to set up plays for his teammates will be crucial if the Lakers are going to walk away with the victory.
Predicted Los Angeles Lakers Lineup
- Point Guard: Austin Reaves
- Shooting Guard: Cam Reddish
- Small Forward: LeBron James
- Power Forward: Rui Hachimura
- Center: Anthony Davis
Lakers Team News
Jaxson Hayes is rehabilitating his right ankle, Christian Wood has begun on-court workouts after missing time with a knee injury, Jarred Vanderbilt is still out till January after experiencing fluid in his left knee during the rehab process and Jalen Hood-Schifino is recovering from a hamstring injury.
Detroit Pistons: Current Form – WLWLW
- Overall Record: 12-17
- Home Record: 5-8
- Away Record: 7-9
The Detroit Pistons' long rebuild continues. Along the way, the Pistons have picked up decent players via the NBA Draft, with Cade Cunningham showcasing the most potential. Cade is the face of the franchise. He is surrounded by good young talent such as Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland.
However, despite adding solid veterans such as Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr., they are yet to progress up the echelons of the Eastern Conference. This season is a learning and growth process for this core. The Pistons have played competitive games, and this experience is part of the process.
The Pistons are 11th on the standings and have a chance to vie for a place in the Play-in Playoff spot. In their recent games, they have upset the Miami Heat and New York Knicks while putting up competitive showings against the Boston Celtics. Pistons upset the Phoenix Suns in their last game while on the road.
Key Players to Watch
- Cade Cunningham: Cade Cunningham has been the floor general for the Pistons this season and is a potential All-star. Cade is averaging 23.9 points per game and 9.6 assists per game. Cade’s ability to orchestrate the offense will cause the Lakers problems if not addressed with elite defensive schemes, tenacity and grit.
- Jaden Ivey: Jaden Ivey is Cade Cunningham’s backcourt partner in crime. The third-year guard has immensely improved his game and is leading the team in steals with one per game. Ivey has been integral in head coach J. B. Bickerstaff's style of play. This matchup against the Lakers backcourt will be an interesting duel.
- Malik Beasley: Malik Beasley has performed admirably for the Pistons this season after his stint with the Milwaukee Bucks left much to be desired. Beasley provides the team with a spark of the bench and is the Pistons' third leading scorer. This match will have him going to familiar stomping grounds having represented the Lakers before his stint with the Bucks.
Predicted Detroit Pistons Lineup
- Point Guard: Cade Cunningham
- Shooting Guard: Jaden Ivey
- Small Forward: Tim Hardaway Jr.
- Power Forward: Tobias Harris
- Center: Jalen Duren
Pistons Team News
Isaiah Stewart is the only questionable omission with a knee injury.
Suggested Bets
Here are some betting tips you can consider when wagering on this game:
Point Spread: Detroit to cover +5.5 points - The Lakers are justifiably favored, but the Pistons have been showing significant improvement recently. This season, the Lakers are winning by an average margin of only 3.3 points at home, while the Pistons are losing by a narrow 0.4-point margin on the road. Additionally, the Pistons are riding the momentum of a confidence-building victory in Phoenix. (9/10 with Sportsbet.io) (47/50 with BC.Game) (47/50 with Stake)
Total (Over/Under): Over 224.5 points: With both teams having a tendency to participate in games that hit the over, betting on the over 224.5 is a viable option. (19/20 with Sportsbet.io) (23/25 with BC.Game) (19/20 with Stake)
Lakers to Win: The Lakers' defense has been on an upswing recently, holding opponents to 100 points or fewer in four of their last five games. If Los Angeles maintains this level of defensive intensity, they should secure a victory over the Pistons and comfortably cover the spread. (9/20 with Sportsbet.io) (51/100 with BC.Game) (9/20 with Stake)
Value Bets
Anthony Davis - To Score Over 35 in Points and Rebounds: Anthony Davis has been in strong form recently. The Pistons' frontcourt struggles defensively, making this an excellent opportunity for Davis to dominate both scoring and on the boards (13/10 with Sportsbet.io) (39/50 with Stake).
Lebron James- To score over 25 points: LeBron has been consistently scoring at a high level, and with his ability to exploit mismatches, he’s likely to put up strong numbers. The Pistons' defense may struggle to contain his versatile offensive game, especially in transition and on drives to the basket. (87/100 withSportsbet.io) (77/100 with Stake).
Cade Cunningham – To score over 30 in points and assists: Cunningham is likely to have a significant impact on offense, especially as the Pistons look to stay competitive against the Lakers. His ability to create shots for himself and his teammates will be crucial, though the Lakers' improved defense might slightly limit his efficiency.
Prediction: LA Lakers to Win
The Lakers' recent defensive improvements and home-court advantage give them the edge. Anthony Davis is expected to dominate in the paint, while LeBron James provides steady scoring and leadership.
However, it is important to consider that Detroit has been playing better lately, led by Cade Cunningham, and is coming off a morale-boosting road win against the Phoenix Suns. They are likely to put up a fight, especially in transition and with their young core’s energy.
The Pistons will keep it close for stretches, but the Lakers' star power and depth should carry them to a solid victory.
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.
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