posted May 5, 2008 at 14:56 in NBA Articles
NBA Playoff Betting Action – Pistons Looking To Go Up 2-0 on Visiting Magic
The Detroit Pistons, (64-25 SU, 50-38-1 ATS, 38-50-1 O/U) emphatically spanked the Orlando Magic, (56-32 SU, 53-32-3 ATS, 38-48 O/U) in online betting action Saturday, winning 91-72 in a game that was never really in doubt for the Pistons.
Now, the Magic enter tonight’s Game 2 matchup looking to break even in Detroit against a Pistons team that looks like they are back to playing their brand of terrific defense after getting some tread marks left on them in their first round series against the run-and-gun Philadelphia 76ers.
The Pistons held Orlando All-Star Center Dwight Howard to 12 points and eight rebounds, by having four different defenders guard the explosive big man at different times.
The Pistons made Howard, who put up three 20-point, 20-rebound games against the Toronto Raptors in their first round series matchup, look ordinary by having Jason Maxiell, Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess and Theo Ratliff each take turns guarding the athletic, but still inexperienced low post power.
"Dwight is an imposing player, but we've played against some of the Hall of Famers so it's not really something we worry about," Ratliff said.
Maxiell took Detroit’s dissing of Howard a step further as they held the Magi to their lowest point total of the entire season.
"He's has a very strong upper body," Maxiell said. "But if you get down low and take his legs out, he's not that powerful."
The Pistons also limited the Magic, one of the best three-point shooting teams in the league, to a pathetic 2-of-15 mark from downtown.
"They're a finesse team," Ratliff said. "They're a 3-point shooting team."
All barbs aside, the Pistons have covered the spread in four consecutive games while the Magic are just 2-3 against the spread in their last five games.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my analysis and NBA Betting Picks.
The Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points.
The Magic are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Central.
The Magic are 28-10-1 ATS in their last 39 games following a ATS loss.
The Pistons are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Pistons are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite.
The Pistons are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 playoff games as a favorite.
The Over is 4-0 in Magic last 4 games after scoring less than 75 points in their previous game.
The Under is 6-0 in Pistons last 6 vs. NBA Southeast.
The Over is 9-2 in the last 11 meetings in Detroit.
The Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
The Road team is 15-6-3 ATS in the last 24 meetings.
Analysis: While the Orlando Magic seemingly have all the components except a deep bench to beat the Detroit Pistons, I just don’t see it happening , particularly after the Pistons’ Game 1 rout and their previous struggles in the first round against Philadelphia. I say take the Pistons to handle their business and cover the spread at home once again.
NBA Free Picks: Pistons -7 Points/Over 184½ Total Points
07:05 PM EST NBA Odds
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NBA Basketball Betting Tips!
Orlando Magic +7 -110
Detroit Pistons -7 -110
Over 184½ -110
Under 184½ -110
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