San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons betting odds, DFS tips and injury reports

Detroit Pistons Sekou Doumbouya. (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Detroit Pistons Sekou Doumbouya. (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Both the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs are struggling to start the season. On Sunday, the two will meet. Here’s what you need to know.

The previous two Detroit Pistons games against a similar opponent came down to the final possession and, on Sunday when the San Antonio Spurs visit, Detroit will try to right its wrongs.

There was clear frustration after the game, whether it was Blake Griffin, Luke Kennard, Andre Drummond or others sounding off about what they do or don’t think the issue is. Sunday is an opportunity for the Pistons (6-13) to climb the Eastern Conference standings with uncertainty in the lower half.

Gameday information

Tip-off: 5 p.m. ET
TV: Fox Sports Detroit
Radio: 97.1 FM The Ticket
Streams: FUBO.TV or Fox Sports Go
Last time out: Pistons lost 110-107 to Charlotte. Spurs won 107-97 against the Clippers.

Betting odds

Line: Pistons -2.5 (opened at Pistons -1.5)
Over/under: 217
Moneylines: Spurs +120; Pistons -140
ATS: Spurs 5-15; Pistons 6-12-1
ATS splits: Spurs 2-7 on the road; Pistons 5-4 at home
O/U: Spurs 10-9-1; Pistons 10-9
O/U splits: Spurs 5-4; Pistons 5-4

The Pistons and Spurs have the two worst records against the spread, respectively, in the NBA. San Antonio is 22nd in points allowed per game, giving up 114.3 per contest. Detroit is 14th, allowing 109.2 per game.

The Spurs (7-13) are tied for 13th in points per game, scoring 111.5 per contest. The Pistons are 22nd, scoring 106.9 per game. It seems noteworthy that the Pistons turn it over 16.7 times per game, third-worst in the league, to the Spurs 13.6 per game, fourth-best in the league.

*All betting information provided by The Action Network.

Injury reports

The usuals for the Pistons are out as Reggie Jackson and Khyri Thomas remain out since early in the season. Though Jackson was expected to be re-evaluated in four weeks, so an update should come within the next week.

San Antonio is without LaMarcus Aldridge, who has right thigh soreness. Chimeze Metu is out and rookies Keldon Johnson and Luka Samanic are expected to be with the G League, according to Saturday’s injury report.

More from PistonPowered

DFS tips

It’s a four-game slate so hitting on pieces will be key. Griffin’s $8,000 price on DraftKings is too high, given he hasn’t hit 40 DKFP yet this season. Though with Aldridge out, it’s a good matchup if Trey Lyles draws the start in Aldridge’s place. At $5,400, Derrick Rose is a solid cash game option given his scoring production off the bench and his assist upside. Andre Drummond is probably the best upside play, despite the pricey $9,400 spot. With no Aldridge, it’s hard to see Jakob Poeltl or Lyles being able to match Drummond’s strength.

DeMar DeRozan ($7,300) is the natural usage bump and Detroit’s perimeter defense hasn’t been good. But his unwillingness to shoot 3-point shots limits his scoring ability. Derrick White ($4,600) hit 5-of-7 3-pointers his last time out and is converting at a 41.9% clip. He may be the best play on the perimeter, though former Michigan State Spartan Bryn Forbes ($4,400) is also an intriguing option with the volume of 3-point attempts he gets up.

Lyles ($3,500) is worth a look, likely getting a minutes bump with Aldridge out. Gay ($4,900) should get a usage bump, too.

Rookie call-up

-Pistons rookie Sekou Doumbouya will be called up from the G League for Sunday’s game. The 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward doesn’t turn 19 until Dec. 23. In 11 games with the Grand Rapids Drive, he is averaging 16.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game on shooting splits of .515/.388/.857.

So far in his only NBA action, he played two minutes and missed a 3-point attempt against the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 23.

Many believe the Pistons should trade for DeRozan and some think Doumbouya could be part of a potential trade package. However, that may not be the best course of action as Doumbouya may be the Pistons’ best future asset.

It’s highly unlikely that this is a showcase for Doumbouya to the Spurs. In fact, it would be more likely that DeRozan is showcasing himself to Detroit.