Detroit Pistons Betting Odds

The NBA proved during the COVID-19 pandemic that it will play basketball — even if it means all of the teams and players existing within a “bubble.” What that means for sports bettors in Michigan is the Detroit Pistons will be back in action sooner than you think.

In fact, the NBA picked Dec. 22, 2020, as the start date for the season and intends to get an entire 72-game season in before the Summer Olympics kick off in late July. What will the 2020-21 season look like? No one knows for sure, but based on other sporting events across the country, we might even see fans in the stands — albeit a limited number — enjoying the home Pistons games at Little Caesars Arena.

The real question is what will the Detroit Pistons even be able to bring to the hardwood this coming season? Can the Motor City’s NBA team be competitive? Can it make a run for the postseason?

One thing that seems likely is there will be professional basketball this winter and into spring 2021, and there will be plenty of basketball betting opportunities available. Read on for an exclusive guide to betting on the Detroit Pistons online in Michigan including live game odds, futures odds and betting tips.

What’s the spread on the next Pistons game?

Check our feed below for the best current moneyline, spread and totals odds for the next Pistons game at Michigan online sportsbooks. Click any odds to go directly to the sportsbook and claim your free bets.

How to bet on Pistons games in Michigan

So you’re ready to place some bets on the Bad Boys? Well, you’re going to have a couple of choices to make.

First, do you want to go to a retail location, or do you want to make your sports bets online? Once these options become available — either in late 2020 or early 2021 — you’ll have plenty of choices to pick from. The in-person betting at brick-and-mortar locations is just that: You show up, you place your bets, and it’s all pretty simple.

For online sportsbooks and sports betting apps, there are a few steps to take before you can make your first bet.

• Download the app: Like with any mobile software, you’re going to have to download the app for the sportsbook of your choice. Android and iOS users can download the proper app right from the sportsbook or casino they’re going to be using. Follow our links to qualify for any potential bonus offers. From there, it’s just following the steps — which includes allowing installation from third-party sources — and you’ll be finished in no time.
• Geolocation: One of the first things the app is going to require of you is access to your phone’s geolocation information. This is designed to verify that anyone who is trying to use a mobile device to place a wager is within state lines. One step into Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin or Canada, and it won’t allow you to place any wagers.
• Register a new account: This one seems pretty simple, right? You have to register for an account with the online sportsbooks in order to use them. Signing up is easy, of course. It’s available right off the home screen on the app, and you just have to fill out typical information such as your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address and such. Once you’ve completed all the steps, you can move on to getting the most out of your new membership.
• Claim your free bets and bonuses: One of the big perks about signing up online is the bonuses are usually pretty nice, especially for first-time users. Don’t miss out on things like risk-free bets and other promotions.
• Deposit your funds: Legal and regulated sportsbooks have a nice variety of options when it comes to adding funds to your account. You can typically use e-wallets and can sometimes even use your debit card or credit card, or deposit directly from your bank, depending on your financial institution’s terms and conditions. You’ll need to make a deposit if you want to take advantage of many of those above-mentioned bonuses.
• Place your bet: And now for the fun part. You’ve done your research, you’ve developed a strategy, you’ve chosen your game and you’re ready to make your first bet. Most sportsbook apps and sites are going to make this part extremely easy. You select your game, you select your bet, you make your wager and then you review it all and hit submit.

Pistons schedule for 2020-21

The Pistons’ 2020-2021 72-game schedule has not yet been released by the NBA, but we’ll update this section once it is available. As of right now, we know that the Detroit Pistons will play each Eastern Conference opponent three times and each Western Conference team twice to fill out the remainder of their schedule.

The first half of the schedule will come during training camp, and the second half about 30 games into the season.

How did the Pistons do last year?

The NBA season shut down on March 11, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and when it restarted again at the end of July it did so with just 22 teams. The Pistons were not one of the teams that were a part of the restart.

The team finished the season with a 20-46 record, which put it at 13th place in the Eastern Conference. It didn’t help that Blake Griffin was available for only 18 games, and then the team went and traded Andre Drummond in February.

The team was 10-14 heading into a tough matchup against Dallas on Dec. 12 in Mexico City, and then the wheels fell off. The Pistons went 9-32 for the remainder of the season, which included a 1-11 run after the Drummond trade was finalized.

How to read Pistons betting lines

When it comes time to place that first bet on the Pistons, or any NBA team for that matter, you’re going to see odds listings that look something like this:

• Detroit Pistons         +13.5 (-110)      +155       O 203.5 (-110)
• LA Lakers                 -13.5 (-110)       -175       U 203.5 (-110)

What does that all mean? The good news is that none of it is really complicated to understand, so we’ll give you a quick breakdown of what you’re seeing.

First up, and most obvious, are the team names. What you’re seeing in the listing above is a game in which the Detroit Pistons will be playing the Los Angeles Lakers.

Next to that, represented by the +13.5 and the -13.5, is the point spread. A negative number means the team is expected to win by that much, so here we are seeing that oddsmakers have determined that the Lakers are the favorites, with a spread of 13.5 points.

If you choose to make a wager on the point spread, you have to wager on either the Lakers winning by 14 or more, or the Pistons losing by 13 points or fewer, or winning outright. The -110 next to each is the odds for that wager, so a winning $110 bet on either team would pay you $210 — your $110 stake plus the $100 you made in profit.

Moving to the next set of odds and you’ll see the moneyline. This is the simplest bet of all. Do you think the Lakers are going to win or the Pistons? The oddsmakers have made their prediction clear with negative odds for the Lakers, while the positive odds for the Pistons indicate they are the underdog in this matchup. If you think the Lakers will win, you’ll need to place $175 wager to win $100. If you place a $100 wager on Detroit and they win, you’ll win $155.

The final odds listed are for a totals bet, also known as the over/under. The line for the combined points from the two teams is set at 203.5. You can place a wager on whether the final combined score will be over or under that line. Both the over and the under bets carry -110 odds, which means you need to wager $110 to win $100.

Pistons live betting

Live bets are typically more readily available on online sportsbooks and apps. Retail locations just don’t usually have the technology to keep up with the constantly transitioning odds for live or in game betting.

In game bets can include a variety of wagers for bettors to choose from. Here are some examples of the kinds of live betting opportunities you might see on a sportsbook app during various Detroit Pistons games.

• Which team will have the lead at the end of the first quarter — Pistons or Jazz?
• Who will be the leading scorer for the Pistons in the first half?
• What will the total points be at halftime — over/under 102.5?
• Which team will score the most points in the third quarter — Pistons or Bulls?
• Which team will sink more free throws in the second quarter — Pistons or Knicks?

Pistons stats leaders

The Detroit Pistons have a long and storied history. For a look at how things have gone recently, here are the team’s statistical leaders over the past five seasons.

*The 2020 season was prematurely ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pistons draft picks

Sometimes the best way to build a legacy is through great drafting. That hasn’t really been the case for the Pistons over the past decade, but they’ve picked some quality players nonetheless.

Here are the NBA draft picks for each year of the past decade for the Pistons.

• 2020: Killian Hayes (1st round, 7th overall); Isaiah Stewart (1st round, 16th overall); Saddiq Bey (1st round, 19th overall); Saben Lee (2nd round, 38th overall)
• 2019: Sekou Doumbouya (1st round, 15th overall); Isaiah Roby (2nd round, 45th overall)
• 2018: Bruce Brown (2nd round, 42nd overall)
• 2017: Luke Kennard (1st round, 12th overall
• 2016: Henry Ellenson (1st round, 18th overall); Michael Gbinije (2nd round, 49th overall)
• 2015: Stanley Johnson (1st Round, 8th overall); Darrun Hillard (2nd round, 38th overall)
• 2014: Spencer Dinwiddie (2nd Round, 38th overall)
• 2013: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1st round, 8th overall); Tony Mitchell (2nd round, 37th overall); Peyton Siva (2nd round, 56th overall)
• 2012: Andre Drummond (1st round, 9th overall); Khris Middleton (2nd round, 39th overall); Kim English (2nd round, 44th overall)
• 2011: Brandon Knight (1st round, 8th overall); Kyle Singler (2nd round, 33rd overall); Vernon Macklin (2nd Round, 52nd overall)
• 2010: Greg Monroe (1st Round, 7th overall); DaJuan Summers (2nd Round, 35th overall)

Pistons bench staff

The Detroit Pistons are on their 11th head coach since 2000, and he is currently heading into his third season at the helm in the Motor City.

Dwane Casey is a veteran NBA coach with a 61-87 record over his first two seasons leading the Pistons. His career win-loss record stands at 434-394.

Casey is assisted by Sidney Lowe, who also used to be a head coach in the NBA. Other supporting coaches are Sean Sweeney, Tim Grgurich and Micah Nori.

Here’s a list of the other coaches who have led the Pistons since the beginning of the century.

*Loyer became head coach during 2014 after Cheeks was released.

Pistons broadcasters

There’s nothing quite like catching a game on television or on the radio, right? Thankfully in Detroit, you have plenty of options to keep tabs on what the Pistons are up to.

Here’s a list of the current broadcasters who cover the Pistons.

• George Blaha: Fox Sports Detroit play-by-play and radio play-by-play if Pistons are on national TV
• Mark Champion: Radio play-by-play and fill-in play-by-play for Fox Sports Detroit
• Greg Kelser: Commentator for Fox Sports Detroit
• Rick Mahorn: Radio commentator
• Grant Long: Studio analyst
• Tim McCormick: Studio analyst
• Johnny Kane: Fox Sports Detroit sideline reporter
• Brooke Fletcher: Fox Sports Detroit sideline reporter
• Earl Cureton: Fill-in radio analyst
• Matt Shepard: Fill-in television broadcaster
• John Mason: Little Caesars Arena public address announcer

What channel are Pistons games on?

The majority of Detroit Pistons games will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit, which is a regional sports network focused primarily on professional and college teams. For those who don’t live locally, you can likely subscribe to FSD on Hulu, AT&T Now or YouTube.tv.

You can also get NBA.tv, which live streams all of the Pistons out-of-market games. Keep in mind that if you are in the Pistons’ “home region,” you will be subject to blackouts.

Where to watch and bet on the Pistons live

You don’t want to be hanging out at home and enjoying the Detroit Pistons? Well, you’re in luck.

In Michigan, there are sports bars around just about every corner, and when the NBA season is in full swing you will be able to sidle up to just about any of them and watch the game. Here are five top live spots for betting on the Detroit Pistons:

• Motor City Casino: This is the place to go if you want to place bets while watching the Pistons play. The FanDuel Sportsbook is a two-story location that has six betting windows, more than 65 HD TVs, a sports ticker and more than 50 betting kiosks. Kick back and enjoy.
• Greektown Casino: The sportsbook is located on the upper level of the casino right near Trappers Bar. That means you can make your Detroit Pistons wagers via one of the four live wagering windows or using one of the 40 kiosks around the property, all while enjoying some brews and watching the Pistons on television.
• Nemo’s Bar: Located right in Detroit on Michigan Avenue, Nemo’s is the place where sports fans gather. While baseball is the primary sport of choice at Nemo’s, they won’t turn you away just because you are there to cheer for the Pistons. Great burgers, but bring cash. And you can always use your mobile device to make wagers while you’re sipping on a beer or two.
• McShane’s Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar: Located in Corktown, this bar has plenty of room, plenty of TVs and a great beer menu paired with pub food. The game will be on, so you won’t have to pester anyone to change the channel, and you can enjoy some fine food (like the corned beef Irish egg rolls — so good).
• Sweetwater Tavern: This Detroit mainstay is located on Congress Street, and you won’t be missing out on the game while you’re there. The ample number of TVs will all be showing the Pistons and other games, and you can sit down and snack on some of the best chicken wings in the city while you’re at it.

Detroit Pistons history

The Detroit Pistons are one of the NBA’s oldest franchises. They began their life in 1941 as the Zollner Pistons in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They were owned by Fred Zollner at the time, and played in the National Basketball League, winning the championship in 1944 and 1945. The team transitioned to the Basketball Association of America in 1948 and then the NBA in 1949.

In those early years, the team made it to the NBA Finals in 1955 and 1956 but failed to take home the title.

In 1957, the team moved to Detroit and trouble soon began. The team posted losing records in its first 13 seasons in Detroit, and even after drafting future Hall of Famer Bob Lanier No. 1 in the 1970 NBA Draft, it continued to struggle.

The winds of change began in 1981 when the team drafted point guard Isiah Thomas. By 1988, the team had assembled a crew of very talented players that included Bill Laimbeer, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, and Vinnie Johnson and made a run to the NBA Finals where they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers. The next season, the Pistons, under the guidance of coach Chuck Daly, used physical play and aggressive strategies to upend the Lakers and win the first championship since the team’s arrival in Detroit. The “Bad Boy Pistons” repeated in 1990, winning the championship against the Portland Trail Blazers.

It wasn’t until the 2000s that the Pistons were able to repeat the magic that made them NBA champs. Dumars was now the general manager, and he assembled a team that included Rasheed Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace and Richard Hamilton. They won the NBA title in 2004 over the Lakers, and made another appearance in the championship series in 2005 but fell to the San Antonio Spurs.

The team has only had four owners throughout its history. From 1941-1974, Fred Zollner controlled the Pistons during their time in Fort Wayne and the move to Detroit. In 1974, the team was acquired by William Davidson, who owned it until his death in 2009. His widow, Karen Davidson, took over the team until 2011, when it was sold to Tom Gores, who is the present team owner.

The greatest players in Pistons’ history are pretty easy to spot. The following players own all-time records with the franchise. Hall of Fame inductees are indicated by an asterisk. (Note: You can see what players had their jersey retired down in the frequently asked questions section.)

• Chauncey Billups (free throw percentage)
• Andre Drummond (offensive rebounds, field goal percentage, rebounds per game, defensive rebound percentage and total rebound percentage)
• Joe Dumars* (games played, 3-point field goals and 3-point attempts)
• Grant Hill* (triple-doubles)
• Bill Laimbeer (defensive rebounds, total rebounds and personal fouls)
• Bob Lanier* (points per game and player efficiency rating)
• Dennis Rodman* (2-point field goal percentage and offensive rebound percentage)
• Isaiah Thomas* (minutes played, field goals, field goal attempts, 2-point field goals, 2-point attempts, free throws, field goals missed, free throw attempts, assists, steals, turnovers and total points)
• Ben Wallace (blocks and blocks per game)