Pistons vs. Cavaliers prediction: Cleveland to win, Donovan Mitchell projected for big game in Sunday's NBA matchup [1/4/2026]

The Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the Detroit Pistons in NBA action at Rocket Arena on Sunday, commencing at 2:00 PM ET.

Based on the latest simulation results and today’s injury reports, Dimers' proven NBA model projects the Cavaliers as the most likely winner of the Pistons vs. Cavaliers game.

This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Cavaliers lineup will feature stars like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, while the Pistons will look to Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson and Duncan Robinson.

This article offers a closer look at Sunday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.

Pistons vs. Cavs prediction: Who will win and cover?

Using powerful machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the result of Sunday's NBA matchup between the Pistons and Cavaliers 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.

Our famous predictive model currently gives the Cavaliers a 61% chance of beating the Pistons. Our predicted final score has the Cavaliers winning 120-117.

According to our model, the bookmakers have got it right, and the Pistons and Cavaliers each have a 50% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 239.5 points has a 54% chance of staying under.

Pistons vs. Cavaliers odds

We have researched the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:

All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Pistons vs. Cavaliers picks and best bet

After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:

According to our best NBA bets for Sunday, the top play to make on this game is Under 239.5 total points.

Pistons vs. Cavaliers player props

NBA prop bets are an enjoyable way to wager on Sunday's Detroit vs. Cleveland matchup without necessarily betting on the outcome. We use the best information available to project how each team's leading players will perform at Rocket Arena.

Cade Cunningham is expected to lead the Pistons with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists, while Donovan Mitchell is projected to have 29 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the Cavaliers.

Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.

Pistons prediction

Our model's projected player stats for the Pistons are:

Cavaliers prediction

Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Cavaliers:

Pistons vs. Cavs game-day updates and essential details

Sunday's game between the Cavaliers and Pistons at Rocket Arena is scheduled to commence at 2:00 PM ET.

• Who: Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
• Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026
• Time: 2:00 PM ET/11:00AM PT
• Venue: Rocket Arena

Conclusion

We predict the Cavaliers, with a 61% win probability, will likely beat the Pistons on Sunday, with Cade Cunningham projected for a game-high 57 fantasy points.

AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Pistons vs. Cavaliers insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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