Atlanta at Detroit

J.B. Bickerstaff is one of the more underrated coaches in the NBA. He has guided the Pistons to the best record in the Eastern Conference at 52-19. Detroit leads the NBA in blocks and steals, and has the second-best defensive rating. But Detroit faces a major challenge here against the streaking Hawks, who are 13-2 in their last 15 games. The Pistons won't have their best player, Cade Cunningham, either, since he is out after suffering a collapsed lung last week. But there are reasons why Detroit still should cover this short number. The Hawks have played weak competition, with 11 of their last 14 games against teams below .500. Detroit is 27-8 at home. Atlanta is 19-16 on the road and 0-3 versus the Pistons this season. The Pistons just ended the Lakers' nine-game winning streak, 113-110, at home two days ago without Cunningham. Daniss Jenkins is averaging 16.4 points and 7.9 assists in 10 games without Cunningham. There is a chance Atlanta could be without its best player as Jalen Johnson is questionable with a shoulder injury. Take the Pistons.