**Pistons at Cavaliers**

–Las Vegas Sports Consultants installed Detroit as a 5 1/2-point road ‘chalk’ over Cleveland, with the total set at 177. ESPN will provide coverage of Friday’s Game 6 beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Cavaliers now enjoy a 3-2 series lead, and can close out this series with a victory.



–Detroit (70-22 straight up, 42-48 against the spread) is currently mired in a three-game SU losing skid, and four in a row ATS after Wednesday’s setback to Cleveland in Game 5 as an 11-point home favorite, 86-84. The combined 170 points failed to eclipse the 180 1/2-point closing total, enabling the ‘under’ to occur the third consecutive contest.

–The Pistons finished the contest by shooting 43 percent (32-of-75), while also earning a slight rebounding advantage, 47-44. Tayshaun Prince paced the offense with 21 points and eight rebounds, while point guard Chauncey Billups added 17 and five assists. However, he also committed six turnovers in the surprising setback before fouling out.

–Cleveland (57-36 SU, 49-40 ATS) connected at just a 38-percent clip (31-of-81), while forward LeBron James led all scorers with 32 points. Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas stepped up with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Donyell Marshall added 14 and 13 off then bench. Those three players were the only Cavaliers players to reach double digits in scoring during Game 5.

–All three of Cleveland’s victories this postseason series with Detroit have occurred without the services of starting guard Larry Hughes. The Cavaliers never trailed in the second half, and expanded their lead to 10 points at one time. Hughes remains ‘questionable’ for Friday’s contest due to personal reasons.

-- This marks the first three-game SU losing skid of the season for the Pistons. Detroit was done in by its 17 turnovers, while Cleveland blocked 10 shots.

–The Pistons are 28-17 SU and 19-25 ATS on the road, with the ‘under’ going 24-20. Detroit has been winning its road endeavors by an average score of 94-91.

–Cleveland maintains a 35-11 SU and 26-19 ATS home record, with the ‘under’ going 26-20. The Cavaliers have been winning those games by an average score of 99-91.

**Spurs at Mavericks**

–LVSC lists Dallas as a 2 1/2-point home favorite over San Antonio, with the total set at 193. ESPN starts its coverage of Friday’s Game 6 at 9:35 p.m. ET. The Mavericks currently have a 3-2 series advantage, and can close out the defending champions with a victory.

–San Antonio (69-24 SU, 43-49 ATS) had dropped three consecutive games SU versus Dallas before escaping elimination Wednesday by beating the Mavericks as a five-point home ‘chalk,’ 98-97. The combined 195 points slithered ‘over’ the 194-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ cash the fourth game in a row. The Spurs are now just 1-4 ATS this series.

–San Antonio shot a blistering 54 percent (37-of-69) from the field, and also had a points in the paint advantage, 56-48. Center Tim Duncan had a solid effort with 36 points and 12 rebounds in the narrow victory, while point guard Tony Parker added 27 and four assists. Duncan hit his first 12 shots of the game, and finished the contest shooting 13-of-19.

–Dallas (67-24 SU, 47-42 ATS) outrebounded the Spurs, 38-30, while shooting 51 percent (39-of-77) from the field. Five Mavericks scored in double digits, led by Dirk Nowitzki’s 31 along with his 10 rebounds. Josh Howard had 16 and eight, while Jason Terry and Devin Harris each added 15.

–San Antonio snapped its first three-game SU losing skid of the year with its trademark defense as Manu Ginobili and Bruce Bowen made key defensive stops down the stretch.

–The Spurs are 30-16 SU and 22-23 ATS on the road, winning those affairs by an average score of 95-92.

–Dallas sports a 38-7 SU and 25-20 ATS home record, winning by an average score of 102-91.

–Dallas guard Jason Terry will miss Game 6 due to a suspension, while guard Darrell Armstrong (knee) is ‘questionable.’