Six Straight Wins Define Detroit Edge
The Pistons hold a six-game winning streak over the 76ers entering Wednesday's matchup at Little Caesars Arena.
By Anthony Foster ·
Detroit holds a six-game winning streak over Philadelphia, a run dating back to February 2025. The Pistons host the 76ers at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Eastern. Both teams are near the top of the Eastern Conference standings after roughly 9% of the season has passed.
Philadelphia enters the game with a 7-1 record, tied for the best in the conference with Houston. However, the 76ers rank 10th in point differential at +5.8 points per game. Six of their seven victories have come in games decided by five points or fewer in the final five minutes. The team averages 110.6 points per 100 possessions, placing 19th in the league offensively.
Detroit relies on a strong defensive identity. The Pistons lead the NBA in defensive efficiency, allowing 102 points per 100 possessions. They held Philadelphia to 93 points in their last meeting on Oct. 25, a game Detroit won 106-93. That previous contest saw the 76ers without Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe, while Detroit missed Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson.
Betting odds list Detroit as a 2.5-point favorite. The SportsLine Projection Model assigns a 54% chance to the Pistons covering the spread, rating the bet with a 'C' grade. The model cites Detroit's recent dominance in the series as a primary factor in its prediction.
Other major matchups include the Dallas Mavericks visiting the San Antonio Spurs at 9:30 p.m. Eastern. This marks the first meeting this season between Cooper Flagg and Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs defeated Dallas 122-106 on Oct. 24, but Flagg sat out with a shoulder injury. San Antonio has won five straight since that game, averaging 118.9 points per 100 possessions. Flagg has averaged 26.3 points, 7.8 assists, 6.0 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 1.0 block in his last four games. The model projects a 58.2% chance the teams score at least 227 points, rating the Over 226.5 line with a 'B' grade.
College football features three notable games. UMass hosts Ball State at 7 p.m. Eastern. The Minutemen are 4-4 overall and 1-3 in the MAC after losing four consecutive games following a four-game winning start. Ball State gives up 35.3 points per game and allows 183.1 rushing yards per game. The model gives UMass a 65% chance to cover the 3-point spread, rating the pick with a 'B' grade.
Toledo travels to Sacramento State at 7 p.m. Eastern. The Rockets are 6-2 and 3-1 in the MAC, currently fourth in the conference. Sacramento State is 2-7 and 1-5 but secured its first MAC victory last week with a 31-10 win over Kent State. The Hornets forced five turnovers in that game. Toledo has turned the ball over six times in its last three contests. The model assigns a 74% chance to Sacramento State covering the 25.5-point underdog spread, rating the bet with an 'A' grade.
Central Michigan plays Eastern Michigan at Ford Field in Detroit at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. The Eagles are 4-5 and 3-2 in the MAC, while the Chippewas are 3-5 and 1-3. Eastern Michigan averages 25 points in conference play compared to 16.8 in nonconference games. Central Michigan scores 24 points per game against league opponents, up from 11.8 against non-league teams. The total has exceeded 44.5 points in six of nine games for each team this season. The model predicts a 62.5% chance the combined score reaches 45 points, rating the Over 44.5 line with an 'A' grade.
