Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers betting odds, DFS tips and preview for Nov. 8

The Detroit Pistons won the first two games of the season series against the Indiana Pacers and may be getting their star back. Here’s a complete preview.

The Detroit Pistons are going for their first series win of the season on Friday and may play with Blake Griffin for the first time this season.

Griffin was medically cleared on Thursday to return to basketball activities. Despite missing the first nine games of the season, the Pistons managed to go 4-5 in his absence, including a pair of wins against the Indiana Pacers.

Gameday information

Tip-off: 7 p.m. ET
TV: Fox Sports Detroit
Radio: 950 AM
Streams: FUBO.TV or Fox Sports Go
Last time out: Pistons beat the Knicks 122-102. Pacers beat Washington 121-106.
Lines: Pacers -7.5, according to The Action Network.
Over/under: 210, according to The Action Network.

ATS: Detroit: 4-5. Indiana: 3-4-1.
O/U: Detroit: 5-4. Indiana: 3-4-1.

Injury report

The Pistons’ injury report is getting lighter soon. Griffin was fully cleared after a knee injury held him out of the first nine game of the season. But Detroit listed him as day-to-day moving forward. Meanwhile he, Derrick Rose, Reggie Jackson and Sekou Doumbouya remain out of the Pistons lineup according to Thursday’s report. Tim Frazier was listed as doubtful.

Indiana’s report prior to Wednesday’s win over the Wizards had Victor Oladipo and Detroit Country Day alumnus Edmond Sumner out. Domantis Sabonis and Myles Turner were questionable, though Sabonis played. Jeremy Lamb was doubtful and didn’t play.

On Thursday, Lamb and Goga Bitadze were ruled out. Turner was upgraded to a game-time decision on Friday.

In previous meetings

The first two games of the series have been telling. Detroit has showcased a better bench. In the 119-110 win at Indiana, the Pistons’ bench outscored the Pacers’ 57-16. In a 96-94 win in Detroit, the Pistons’ bench outscored the Pacers’ 36-18.

Outside of the Pacers starting five, no player has scored in double figures in the two meetings. Meanwhile, Christian Wood had 19 points and 12 rebounds in the second meeting, Rose scored in double figures in both meetings, Luke Kennard had a 30-point game and Bruce Brown scored in double figures in the second meeting.

If the Pacers’ starters can’t get shots to fall the game could get out of hand. Having Lamb out of the lineup hurts, but T.J. Warren will take an increased workload on the wing.

DFS tips

Andre Drummond has dominated everybody early on and the Pacers are no exception. He’s averaging 25 points, 20.5 rebounds and 3 blocks per game through the first two games of the season series. If Turner can’t go, and even if he does, Drummond is a great GPP and cash game play.

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So, too, is Malcolm Brogdon for the Pacers. He’s safer for cash games but, especially with Lamb out, there are more shots to go around and he’ll have the ball in his hands more. Warren is also a solid option, as mentioned previously, because he’ll get an uptick in shots.

Kennard is a good cash game option since he can impact the game by grabbing a handful of rebounds, becoming more of a playmaker for others and the ability to score 20-plus points. He’ll be relied upon, especially if Frazier can’t go.

If Frazier can’t go, Brown is another solid option. He’s proving he can be a solid point guard option when he’s thrust into action. He’s good off the bounce and has proven to have good court vision, potentially securing a future at the position.

The last nugget is in the frontcourt. Markieff Morris could be a solid cheap forward, coming off one of his top games. But Wood is the real prize if Turner is out. With a depleted frontcourt, the Pacers will have to go small which will allow Wood to use his height over the Pacers and, given his athletic ability, he won’t lose a step against a smaller lineup.

The Pistons look to secure a series win and get back to .500 on Friday night as they visit the Pacers.