posted May 22, 2008 at 18:36 in NBA Betting Trends

Detroit Pistons (59-23) vs. Boston Celtics (66-16)

Thursday, May 22nd --- TD Banknorth Garden, Boston --- 8:30pm EST

Series: Bos 1-0

NBA Betting Line: Boston -4.5 (172.5)

I’m actually surprised that the basketball betting oddsmakers were foolish enough to keep this line so low after Boston’s nine point victory over Detroit on Tuesday. Boston needs to keep the steam rolling against the Piston Empire if it wants to vanquish the Pistons properly. Of course, that hasn’t meant much in the past. Boston is 9-0 SU in their last 9 home games, but hasn’t won on the road. They need to keep that NBA betting trend chugging along to satisfy their sports betting faithful because their road record is God awful.

Of course, Ray Allen is becoming the blame taker for any of Boston’s woes. The deft shooter had nine points in the first game, but has been completely contained and eliminated from the post-season as a threat. Rip Hamilton isn’t going to let him back in any time soon.

Rip is the leading scorer of the Pistons with 20.9 points and has shown his scoring touch. But it’s Rasheed Wallace who needs to take command of this game. Sheed has averaged 13.7 points per game throughout the postseason, but had just 11 points and 5 rebounds in Game 1. He had some insane drives on KG, but Garnett got the better of the matchup with a hellacious 26 point performance.

Boston won its first game against the online betting spread on Tuesday in five, bringing their record to 1-5 ATS in the past 6 games. Detroit has a nasty habit of fading fast in games that they are not in, and Boston simply doesn’t lose at home. I’d stick with the Celtics at home, even against the point spread, because Billups is obviously not fast enough to keep up with the fast paced Celtics attack. They are seriously taking advantage of his limp hamstring.

The last five games have gone in the UNDER between Detroit and Boston, so there’s no reason to stay from the basketball betting trends right now. Not until Sheed goes ballistic, Allen becomes the eight time All-Star he once was or Boston loses any games at home.

NBA Furious Free Picks: Boston -4.5 (UNDER)

You’ll find the latest 2007-2008 NBA odds and lines in the best online sportsbook, BetUS.com. Betting on NBA player and game props makes every aspect of the game exciting. Join BetUS.com today to bet on the NBA and make online sports betting work for you!