posted March 26, 2008 at 18:21 in NBA Betting Trends

Detroit Pistons (50-20) vs. Toronto Raptors (35-35)

Wednesday, March 26th --- Air Canada Centre, Toronto --- 7:00pm EST

NBA Betting Line: EVEN (185.5)

You’d have to wonder why this would be a pick ‘em game since Detroit has gone 10-2 SU in their last 12 meetings with the Raptors. But with Rip Hamilton currently nursing a sore hip, Detroit suddenly looks very thin. Couple that with the idea that Detroit has secured the number-two spot in the East and you’d have to realize that Detroit has nothing to play for. The Raptors, on the other hand, need to move up in the standings to escape that dreaded No.7 spot in the East, which would book them in to a viscious seven-gamer with the vaunted Pistons.

While Detroit has only gone 1-5 ATS in their past 6 road games, you can attribute that to the coaching. The staff is simply trying to find the role players on the bench so that they can properly gameplan for the playoffs. The starting five for Detroit is deadly on both ends of the court, averaging 98.1 points per game and the second best defense with 91.0 points against. They match up extremely well against any team, and Chauncey Billups proved against the Suns that he is an offensive dynamo against the more offensively minded point men in the league. Steve Nash was eating dust all night long Monday night, where the Pistons snuffed the Suns 110-105.

Things, however, have not been as cheerful for the Raptors. They are 1-4 SU and ATS in their last 5 games. Much of that is due to Chris Bosh not being totally 100% after a knee injury earlier this month. But when your only win in the last week is against Miami, eyebrows are going to raise. Still the Raptors are 6-3 SU in their last 9 home games, and with plenty to prove tonight, you’d have to imagine they come out swinging against the Pistons tonight.

Detroit will put up lackluster numbers while they rest the majority of their starting five, and search for dominant role players to eat up minutes for their starters in the playoffs. Testing these guys against a formidable, balanced Toronto squad will be paramount for your Detroit betting futures. For the imminent games tonight, however, Toronto is an easy bet with Rip on the sidelines and Toronto fighting out of the playoff cellar.

NBA Furious Free Pick: Toronto EVEN (UNDER)

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