Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, January 27 is about as close to a coin flip as the ratings get, with the Cavaliers at only 55%. Small things like rest, health and shooting variance should decide it.
Why it is so close
The Win Meter reads the Cavaliers 55%, with a projected score of Detroit Pistons 114, Cleveland Cavaliers 116. The rating gap is 62 points in favor of the Pistons, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Cavaliers on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 45 times in 100 games like this, the Pistons would win.
Recent form
The Pistons are 2-0 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +2.2. The Cavaliers are 1-1 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -14.
The Pistons' best recent win was 115-94 on the road against CLE.
The Pistons were beaten 125-94 at home by CLE not long ago.
The Cavaliers were beaten 130-93 at home by NYK not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Jalen Duren (DET), expected back Oct 27, 2026 and Ugonna Onyenso (DET).
Day to day or questionable: Ausar Thompson (DET), Elijah Harkless (DET), and Isaac Jones (DET). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Cavaliers lead 9-6, with the Cavaliers outscoring the Pistons by an average of 3.4 points per game. The last meeting was CLE 125, DET 94.