Detroit Pistons Betting Odds & NBA Futures

The Detroit Pistons have endured a relative rough stretch over the past few seasons, but with the resulting high draft picks have hopes to turn the franchise around soon. Meanwhile, sports bettors in the state have plenty of Michigan online sportsbooks from which to choose for betting on Pistons games. Read on for a full guide to betting on the Pistons this year, including information about the best Pistons betting sites and available bonuses and promotions.

 

Best Detroit Pistons betting sites

All Michigan sports betting sites offer a wide range of NBA betting options. They also frequently offer NBA promotions, including some Pistons-specific offers, especially during the NBA season.

Here’s a look at our top recommended sites for betting on the Pistons or any other NBA action, plus additional information about the current welcome offers at these sites:

MI Sportsbook	Bonus Code	Bonus Offer
Caesars Sportsbook	MICHDYW	$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
BetMGM Sportsbook	PLAYMICH	Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win* (*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add'l terms.)
BetRivers Sportsbook	PLAYMICH	Up to $500 in Bet Credits (2nd Chance Bet)
FanDuel Sportsbook	Click to claim promo	Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins
Fanatics Sportsbook	Click to claim promo	Bet and Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets
DraftKings Sportsbook	Click to claim promo	Up to $1,250 in Bonuses + King of the End Zone Promo

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 several choices to make.

First, do you want to go to a retail location, or do you want to make your sports bets online? There are currently 12 online sportsbooks up and running in Michigan. Meanwhile, there are a number of in-person betting at brick-and-mortar locations available in Michigan, too.

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 include 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 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 bonus 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.

How to read Pistons betting lines

When it comes time to placing that first bet on the Pistons, or any NBA team for that matter, you’re going to want to know how to interpret the 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 played 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 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.

• 2024: Ron Holland (1st round, 5th overall), Cam Spencer (2nd round, 53rd overall)
• 2023: Ausar Thompson (1st round, 5th overall), James Nnaji (2nd round, 31st overall)
• 2022: Jaden Ivey (1st round, 5th overall); Jalen Duren (1st round, 13th overall – acquired in a trade); Gabriel Procida (2nd round, 36th overall)
• 2021: Cade Cunningham (1st round, 1st overall); JT Thor (2nd round, 37th overall); Isaiah Livers (2nd round, 42nd overall); Luka Garza (2nd round, 52nd overall)
• 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)

Pistons coaching staff

The 2024-25 season will be the first with new Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff at the helm. The Pistons hired Bickerstaff after cutting ties with Monty Williams after just one season in the role. Here’s the current Detroit coaching staff:

• Head Coach — J.B. Bickerstaff 
• Assistant Coach — Stephen Silas 
• Assistant Coach — Dan Burke 
• Assistant Coach — Jarett Jack
• Assistant Coach — Mark Bryant
• Assistant Coach — Steve Scalzi 
• Assistant Coach — Sidney Lowe
• Assistant Coach — Josh Estes 
• Assistant Coach – Greg Smith 

Here’s a list of all the Pistons coaches and their records going back to 2000:

Coach	Years	Record with Pistons
J.B. Bickerstaff	2024-Present	TBD
Monty Williams	2023-2024	14-68
Dwayne Casey	2018-2023	121-262
Stan Van Gundy	2014-2018	152-176
John Loyer	2014	8-24
Maurice Cheeks	2013-2014	21-29
Lawrence Frank	2011-2013	54-94
John Kuester	2009-2011	57-107
Michael Curry	2008-2009	39-43
Flip Saunders	2005-2008	176-70
Larry Brown	2003-2005	108-56
Rick Carlisle	2001-2003	100-64
George Irvine	2000-2001	46-60

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: Bally 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 Bally Sports Detroit
• Matt Dery: Radio pre-game and post-game host, fill-in play-by-play for Bally Sports Detroit
• Greg Kelser: Commentator for Bally Sports Detroit
• Mateen Cleaves: Studio analyst
• Rick Mahorn: Radio commentator
• Grant Long: Studio analyst
• John Long: Fill-in radio commentator
• Chris Fillar: Radio pre and post-game host
• Johnny Kane: Bally Sports Detroit sideline reporter
• John Mason: Little Caesars Arena public address announcer

What channel are Pistons games on?

The majority of Detroit Pistons games will be televised on Bally Sports Detroit, which is a regional sports network focused primarily on professional and college teams. For those who don’t live locally, you can subscribe to Bally Sports+.

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.
• Hollywood Casino at Greektown: ESPN Bet Sportsbook at Greektown offers up a total of 40 betting kiosks, 25 HDTVs and a 30’ video all for viewing all the daily sports action. Full dining options are included and its easily located at the top of the Grand Staircase inside Hollywood Casino at Greektown.
• 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 in 1941 as the Zollner Pistons in Fort Wayne, In. The Fred Zollner-owned club played in the National Basketball League, winning championships in 1944 and 1945. Then, in 1948, the team moved to the Basketball Association of America. They moved one more time in 1949 when they landed in the NBA.

In those early years, the team made it to the NBA Finals in 1955 and 1956 but failed to win 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, besting the Portland Trail Blazers in the Finals.

It wasn’t until the 2000s that the Pistons could 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. Gores is still the current owner.

The greatest players in Pistons’ history are pretty easy to spot. The following players own 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)