76ers vs Pistons Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips – NBA 5 November

Less than a fortnight ago, the Detroit Pistons won 106-93 in Philadelphia, and it’s still the only game the Philadelphia 76ers have lost. The rematch at Little Caesars Arena gets going at 1:00pm NZT on Thursday 5 November, with first playing second in the East and both sides on winning streaks. I don’t think the gap is as wide as that score suggests, but I’m siding with Detroit. I’d shop around the best betting sites NZ offers for a price.

Odds from Sportaza, correct at 9:00am NZT, 4 November. Subject to change.

Philadelphia 76ers

Last 5: L-W-W-W-W · Record: 7-1 · ATS: 5-3

Philadelphia have won four on the bounce since that loss, though none of those opponents has a winning record. Tyrese Maxey is doing most of the work, and I’ve liked VJ Edgecombe next to him. Joel Embiid missed the first meeting on the second night of a back-to-back, and he got through almost 25 minutes against Chicago on Tuesday. Detroit grabbed 15 offensive rebounds in that first game, and his size should help there.

Detroit Pistons

Last 5: W-L-W-W-W · Record: 6-1 · ATS: 6-1

I rate Detroit’s defence as the best in the East right now.

They’re giving up 100.3 points a game and forcing 18.7 turnovers, and they’ve managed that without Jalen Duren for most of the season so far.

Cade Cunningham scored 33 in Charlotte on Tuesday, and Ausar Thompson added 14 after shaking off an ankle sprain. Philadelphia have the better record, so I can see why some punters are surprised that NBA betting sites have the Pistons as favourites.

(1) Barlow has a stress reaction in his lower back. The 76ers said in mid-October he’d miss at least two weeks, and he hasn’t been cleared yet.
(2) Hukporti ruptured his right Achilles in early October and will miss the 2026-27 season.
(3) Duren strained his right hamstring in the win over Miami on 24 October. He was due to be re-evaluated after two weeks and isn’t expected back until next week.
(4) Joe has a hip injury and missed the win in Charlotte. He’s listed as out again for this one.

I’m a bit worried about Duren’s hamstring with this pick, as Embiid could cause Detroit real problems in the paint without him.

The first meeting this season stretched Detroit’s winning streak against Philadelphia to six, dating back to February 2025.

• Player trend – Maxey scored 29 in the first meeting, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Anfernee Simons managed 12 between them.
• Cunningham trend – Cunningham had 26 points and eight assists in the first meeting.
• Home and away – Detroit are 2-0 at home this season, and Philadelphia are 3-0 on the road.
• Under trend – Seven of the last 10 meetings have gone under the total.
• Turnover trend – Detroit forced 11 Philadelphia turnovers in the first meeting and scored 10 points off them.

This meeting should be a lot closer than the first. Embiid changes the matchup inside, so it’d be surprising if Philadelphia only made seven threes again. Maxey is good enough to hold them in it on his own for long stretches. The total of 218.5 already allows for a tight, low-scoring game, so I’m not getting involved there.

I still have Detroit winning it. They led by 21 at one stage of that game and have held four of their seven opponents under 100, so the Pistons are top of my NBA best bets list for Thursday. Cunningham’s form is good enough that I’m happy to trust Detroit late in a close game.

My prediction: Pistons 109-104.

Pistons -1.5 Line – $1.91

Detroit only need to win by two, and they’ve won the last six meetings by almost 14 points on average.

At $1.91 with Sportaza, I prefer this to the Moneyline at $1.81. A one-point Pistons win is the only result I give up by taking the Line, and that’s a small price for the better odds.

Play to: $1.80

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