SportsLine model reveals Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 1 playoff picks

7 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · May 5

The simulation ran 10,000 times before Tuesday's 7 p.m. ET tip-off at Little Caesars Arena, with Detroit listed as a 3.5-point favourite and the total at 215.5.
It projects the game to stay under, estimating 214 combined points, while saying one side of the spread covers in nearly 60% of simulations.
Both teams reached the second round after Game 7 wins, split their four regular-season meetings 2-2, and the model entered this playoff round on a 26-9 run on top-rated spread picks.

With playoff scoring plummeting league-wide, will this series be a defensive battle or an offensive shootout?

Cade Cunningham was unstoppable in round one, but can he solve a tougher Cavaliers defense?

After ending an 18-year drought, can Detroit's historic momentum overcome Cleveland's playoff experience?