These two met last week in Denver and the Pistons pulled out a 109-107 decision, but there's a big difference in the rematch. Big indeed, as Nikola Jokic has returned to active duty since for the Nuggets, and looked no worse for wear in his return game last Friday vs. the Clippers when scoring 31 in a 122-109 Denver win. Jokic played 29 minutes on Sunday vs. OKC and scored 16, and even though the Nuggets lost, it was a good battle vs. the champs, and the Joker's minutes are on the increase. Granted, Detroit is formidable and off a 53-point wipeout of the Nets, but is only 5-6 vs. the spread since January 10. Play Nuggets

Caesar’s. This is a brutal matchup for Jalen Duren, The first-time All Star will go toe-to-toe with Nikola Jokic, who is built back up to 30 minutes post-injury, and seems poised to take on his normal workload. Jokic (and Jonas Valanciunas) will camp out in the paint defensively and make life difficult for Duren around the basket and on the glass. Plus, Jokic is fourth in the NBA in fouls drawn per game (6.6) and Duren is in the 5th percentile of all players in fouls per game. A lot would have to go right (no foul trouble, cooperative gamescript, strong performance in a below average matchup) for Duren to clear this line. I’d bet this down to under 28.5.