Three NBA games where the thinner, more tired side is the one the table says it should be.
Detroit host Washington with a clear gap in scoring margin over a similar number of games. Washington shoot under 30 percent from three and give up about 112 a night, and their recent losses came by 15, 39 and 7. Detroit are without Duren, but he has been out since late October, so their recent results already include that. The back-to-back is the soft spot, yet the Pistons' second and fourth quarters have been strong at home. That's why I'm siding with Detroit.
Charlotte are missing their top three creators and Miller's exit is fresh, while Cleveland's shooting is clearly better, 45.5 percent against 39.4. Cleveland also won the last three meetings. Charlotte's rebounding path only opens if Allen sits, and their scoring has been poor in the fourth quarter. I'm on Cleveland to win.
Toronto are at home against a Memphis side missing Stewart, Saunders and Pippen Jr. and sliding through three straight losses. Toronto's fourth-quarter scoring has been their strength, so a late lift is the likely way this one closes. I'm leaning to Toronto, with the smallest conviction of the three.
