Tuesday’s Tip Sheet

Game of the Night: Cavaliers at Pistons – 8:00 PM EST

Detroit (22-26 SU, 24-22-2 ATS) has free-fallen of late by losing eight consecutive games, as the Pistons pulled the trigger on a move to break out of their slump. The team acquired All-Star forward Blake Griffin from the Clippers in exchange for three players and two draft picks, including forward Tobias Harris and guard Avery Bradley.

The Pistons began the season on fire at 14-6, but Stan Van Gundy’s club owns an 8-20 record the past 28 games to sink to fourth place in the Central division. The latest setback for Detroit came at Cleveland on Sunday in a 121-104 defeat, even though the game was tied at 95-95 with 7:30 remaining in regulation. The Pistons have covered once during this eight-game skid, while compiling an 0-5 SU/ATS record the last five contests at Little Caesars Arena.

The Cavaliers (29-19 SU, 14-33-1 ATS) couldn’t cover a game to save themselves for a while, posting a 2-17 ATS mark over a 19-game stretch prior to consecutive wins and covers over the Pacers and Pistons. In Sunday’s victory, LeBron James led Cleveland with 25 points and 14 assists, while Kevin Love also posted a double-double with a 20-point, 11-rebound effort. The Cavs look to improve on a dreadful 1-9 SU and 0-10 ATS record in their past 10 games away from Quicken Loans Arena.

Hitting the Wall

The Wizards (27-22 SU, 21-28 ATS) have amazingly yet to lose three straight games this season, as Washington demolished Atlanta on Saturday to end a mini two-game skid. Point guard John Wall sat out due to a sore left knee and is listed as doubtful to return against Oklahoma City. The Wizards are back home following a 2-3 road trip as Washington failed to cash in all five games on its previous homestand. Washington is playing with quick revenge against OKC after suffering a 121-112 setback last Thursday as five-point road underdogs.

The Thunder (30-20 SU, 22-28 ATS) are heating up at the right time by winning eight straight games with each of the past five victories coming against Eastern Conference opponents. The most recent triumph occurred on Sunday night in a 122-112 home win over Philadelphia as three-point favorites, paced by Russell Westbrook’s near triple-double (37 points, 9 rebounds, 14 assists) and Paul George’s 31 points. OKC’s offense is hitting its stride by connecting on five straight OVERS, while compiling a 5-1 record in its previous six road contests against the East.

Playoff Rematch

In last season’s second round, the Warriors (40-10 SU, 22-27-1 ATS) swept the Jazz in four games as all four victories came by double-digits. Golden State continued that trend in the first meeting against Utah this season with a 126-101 blowout as 11-point favorites at Oracle Arena in December. The Warriors have captured 18 of the previous 20 meetings with Utah since 2013, including an 8-1 mark in Salt Lake City. Steve Kerr’s squad has struggled of late to cover numbers by going 1-4 ATS the last five contests, while failing to cash in Saturday’s 109-105 home win over the Celtics as 11-point chalk.

Utah (21-28 SU, 25-24 ATS) is involved in a tough travel stretch, fresh off a three-game road swing capped off by consecutive close wins at Detroit and Toronto. The Jazz return home for only one game before hitting the highway again on Friday to embark on a four-game trip beginning in Phoenix. Utah has stepped up in the role of a home underdog by compiling a 6-2 SU/ATS record, including recent victories over Cleveland and San Antonio.

Highway to Howl

Playing at the Target Center has been a breeze for the Wolves (32-20 SU, 25-25-2 ATS), who have won 10 consecutive home games. However, Minnesota has hit the skids on the road of late by dropping seven of its past eight away contests, including Monday’s 105-100 setback as five-point favorites at Atlanta. The Wolves have allowed at least 105 points in six straight road games, including underdog defeats at Golden State, Portland, and Houston.

Minnesota lands in the ‘dog role at Toronto (33-15 SU, 26-22 ATS), as the Raptors rebounded from a four-point home loss to Utah by holding off the Lakers, 123-111 as 10 ½-point favorites on Sunday. The Raptors have struggled to cover numbers as a favorite of late by putting together a 2-7 ATS in their last nine opportunities, including a 115-109 setback at Minnesota as 1 ½-point favorites on January 20.

Borough Blues

The Knicks and Nets aren’t giving out many high-fives of late as the two Atlantic division rivals meet for the final time this season. New York (22-28 SU, 26-24 ATS) seeks the season sweep of Brooklyn after capturing the first three matchups, including a 15-point triumph at Barclays Center earlier this month. The Knicks closed out a seven-game road trip at 3-4 following Friday’s 107-85 blowout of Phoenix, but Jeff Hornacek’s team is 0-6 in their past six contests off a victory.

Brooklyn (18-32 SU, 30-20 ATS) finishes off a five-game road swing following consecutive blowout losses at Milwaukee and Minnesota. The Nets had covered six straight away contests prior to back-to-back setbacks, while owning a solid 10-4 ATS mark in their past 14 opportunities in the underdog role. Brooklyn has struggled at Madison Square Garden recently by dropping four of the previous five visits to Manhattan, including a 21-point defeat in late October.

You can reach Kevin Rogers via e-mail at rogers@vegasinsider.com

Kevin Rogers can be followed on Twitter at virogers.