NBA: Detroit rising underdog to Boston (8:00 PM ET, ESPN)
If the Detroit Pistons were a pinball game, they would be on “tilt” based on their performance this year.
2009-01-30
If the Detroit Pistons were a pinball game, they would be on “tilt” based on their performance this year. These Pistons are much like the Detroit auto industry, they look old fashion, seem to make few correct decisions and are just biding their time under the illusion something good will come their way. This weekend, reality pays a call with two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, Boston and Cleveland, pays a call to the Motor City. Can the Pistons pull out either game as a home dog, or have they slipped from the East’s elite? Put your money where your thoughts after examining the LIVE ODDS & BETTING TRENDS on these key games.
Since Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce in Boston, The Celtics are 8-3 SU and ATS over Detroit, including taking them out in six games in the playoffs last spring.
At 25-19 (19-25 ATS), the Pistons have all the signs of an older model car who has been thru one too many Midwestern winters, as rust spots are starting to emerge. Detroit has won three times in last 10 games, yet like a Detroit automaker CEO, defiant to the end. In being asked about this weekend’s matchups, Rasheed Wallace had this to say, “We're ready for the challenge, though it may not look like it from what our record states,".
The Pistons' veterans are loathe to speak of regular-season contests as statement games but they certainly have something to prove this weekend. They can send a message to both teams that they're still a viable contender. Wallace added, “…..Like I said, it’s determination. We’re determined and we definitely have to put our foot on the gas coming into All-Star break and we’re just going to have to drive forward.”
Where NBA sports bettors have doubts is looking at Detroit’s home record, which shows a pedestrian 13-9 mark and just 7-15 spread record. The Pistons have outscored their opponents by less than a point (0.8) at The Palace at Auburn Hills and are 1-5 ATS in last six home tilts. Considering tonight’s opponent is Boston, those wagering saw the Celtics favored by five points at Sportsbook.com and other wagering outlets and pounded them up to present 6.5.
Boston (38-9, 27-20 ATS) is back on track, seeking a 10th straight victory. Since losing seven of nine after unprecedented start, even for this franchise, the Celtics have won nine in a row (8-1 ATS) by an average of 16.5 points per game. They are 45-26 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last two seasons.
The Celtics are brimming with confidence, having beaten Dallas by 24 and Sacramento by 19, shooting over 54 percent and scoring a total of 243 points. They are 20-11 ATS after two or more consecutive wins this season and 30-11 ATS after a game where they made 12 or more three-point shots.
Detroit doesn’t have the firepower to play in a high scoring affair. With the total set at 180 by the oddsmakers, this would suggest Detroit should at least have a chance to cover the spread since they are 9-1 UNDER revenging a loss vs opponent, with the average scoring margin almost even. Of course Boston has no problem playing this style and is 10-2 UNDER in road games after playing a home game this season, though the winning margin is only 2.5-points per game.
This is the opener for Friday’s ESPN doubleheader, which starts at 7 Eastern and Boston, is 20-6 ATS versus defensive teams forcing 14 or less turnovers a game this season.
StatFox Power Line – Boston by 11
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