Friday NBA picks: Pistons vs. Cavs, Nuggets vs. Thunder and more

Few people seem to have noticed that the Detroit Pistons now have the best record in the NBA. These are the same Pistons who went 14-68 just two seasons ago.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s 24-1 fast start has sparked talk of a 70-win season, but after Detroit’s 124-116 home win over the Thunder on Wednesday, OKC (45-15, .750) now looks to the Pistons (43-14, .754). Of course, the absence of current MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a big factor in why the Thunder slipped to second place, but it appears he will play on Friday.

On Friday night, the Pistons face the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Thunder face the Denver Nuggets. He may be tested when the New York Knicks face the Milwaukee Bucks.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons

The Pistons can match last season’s win total by defeating a Cleveland team that sits fourth in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers are ailing with Donovan Mitchell (right groin sprain) sidelined and James Harden (right thumb fracture) listed as questionable.

MVP candidate Cade Cunningham is now a bona fide star, averaging 25.4 points, 9.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds, numbers that could make him a force in Cleveland’s short-handed backcourt. Fellow All-Star Jalen Duren is thriving under center for first-place Detroit, averaging 18.2 points and 10.6 rebounds, and he will certainly notice the absence of Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley (calf).

Cleveland was without Harden in Wednesday’s 118-116 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, and Dennis Schroder stepped up with 26 points. I think Schroder will step down because the Cavaliers will have to struggle against the Pistons.

Piston cover spread -6.5 points, -108 (DraftKings)

Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are 5-4 since Gilgeous-Alexander went down with an abdominal injury earlier this month, but he is not listed on the injury report. This certainly bodes well for Oklahoma City, as they are just another team with the best player in the NBA watching from the sidelines.

Gilgeous-Alexander could be limited to one minute, so it’s a good night worth waiting for when it comes to his scoring prowess (30+ points, +107). Assistant Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain) remains sidelined, but big man Chet Holmgren (back) is out for the game and the Thunder will have to mix him with Denver star Nikola Jokic.

Jokic has three straight 30-pointers, grabbed 20 rebounds in one of them, and may have to carry the Nuggets. Star guard Jamal Murray (illness) is questionable after leaving eight minutes into Wednesday’s 103-84 home win over the Boston Celtics.

Nuggets Cover Spread +8.5 points, -118 (DraftKings)

New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is close to returning, but will miss his 14th straight game due to a right calf injury. Milwaukee has won eight of its last 10 games, making it a huge surprise for a player who could be entering his final season with the team. Yes, you can win without him on the floor.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 20 points against Cleveland and 32 points in a 128-117 win over the Miami Heat the night before, making it his fourth straight game to top 20 points. Interestingly, New York star Jalen Brunson (26.7 ppg) has not scored more than 20 points in three straight games, so he is likely to explode in a massive outing.

The Knicks are 4-4 in their last eight games and have averaged just 99.5 points in the first two games of this three-game road trip. Even without Giannis again, the Bucks plus points look really tasty.

Bucks +7.5 point spread cover, -108 (DraftKings)