Bodog Beat

The Cleveland Cavaliers last left The Palace of Auburn Hills with a first-round sweep in April, and they’ll likely get Shaquille O’Neal back tonight as they seek an eighth straight victory over the reeling Detroit Pistons.

NBA basketball betting odds have the Cavs listed as 5-point road faves.

O’Neal was back at practice Monday and is probable to return against the Pistons, losers of five in a row.

The Cavaliers have won seven of eight, going 4-1 without O’Neal. LeBron James has been the catalyst as usual, averaging 34.3 points and 9.3 assists in his last four games while shooting 58.3 percent.

James averaged 32.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists as Cleveland held Detroit to 78.0 points per game in a four-game sweep to open last season’s playoffs. Including that series, the Cavs have won seven straight over the Pistons by an average of 14.1 points.

The Pistons last lost six in a row during an eight-game skid from Feb. 8-25.

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