Cleveland Cavaliers Detroit Pistons Game 4 Predictions

Written April 25, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Cavs Pistons Its pretty clear this series is over, as the Cleveland Cavaliers moved up 3 game to 0, after there 79-68 win at Detroit in game 3. The Pistons have a lot to think about this offseason, as they have clearly took a step back from the years past. LeBron James has the Cavaliers on a straight path to the NBA Finals, as they have looked really good to start this postseason. James was excellent in game 3 scoring 25 points with 11 rebounds and 9 assists. The Cavs got 13 points from starting center Zyndrunas Illgauskas, but the story for the Cavs was the play of the veteran reserve Joe Smith, who came off the bench to score 19 points and grab 10 rebounds in just 19 minutes of play. Mo Williams was no where to be found in game 3 shooting just 1-11 from the field and scoring 2 points, but the fact that James and company can win that easily with this guy scoring just two points says something. For Detroit they got 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists from Richard Hamilton and 12 points from Rodney Stuckey. But that was pretty much it for this team, as no other player scored more than 8 points. Detroit’s playoff lives are on the line, but all signs point to another Cleveland rout. Here is a look at what I think each team needs to do win game 4, plus my prediction on who comes out on top against the spread.

What the Pistons have to do to win: Its hard telling if there is anything this team can do to win this game, as they look no where near the level of the Cavaliers right now. They aren’t shooting very well at all, and they, like many teams, have no answer for James. Besides Hamilton this team just doesn’t have the scorers to go deep in the playoffs, and the defense that once carried this team, is no longer around. The Pistons will need not only Hamilton and Stuckey to light it up, but a couple others like Prince and Wallace will have to play much better as well. I know that this team wasn’t all that special with Allen Iverson during the regular season, but they greatly miss his scoring in the postseason, and you have to think this team would be doing a little better if he was able to get out on the floor. I don’t think this team has any chance in game 4, but hopefully they can at least keep this one close for the fans sake, as they have stuck with this team even though the season hasn’t been near the level of years past. Bet the Pistons +8 at Sportsbook.com.

What the Cavaliers have to do to win: As long as James is on the court, this team has a very good chance of not only making it back to the finals, but winning it all. James is averaging 30.7 points, 7.3 assists and 10 rebounds a game. While they don’t need Williams to beat the Pistons, they will need him to shoot better in the later rounds. Not to mention Delonte West had just 2 points as well. Ilgauskas continues to play well inside, and this team is going to be really hard to beat if Smith keeps up the strong play off the bench. I think the key for the Cavs is making sure they take this game seriously, as there is no reason to give the Pistons any hopes of winning this series or stretching the series and risking injury. I look for this to be another relative easy win for the Cavs in game 4. Bet the Cavaliers -8 at Sportsbook.com.

My Prediction: Cavaliers -8. I will be shocked if the Cavs don’t control this game from start to finish. I expect James to be outstanding once again in this one, as I don’t think there is anyone on the Pistons who can stop him. I think the Cavaliers win this one by 12-15 points.

If you are looking for some NBA betting help this postseason, check out our expert NBA picks and NBA odds at Betfirms.

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