Posted on
12/19/2007 4:03:27 PM
NBA Basketball Betting Free Picks – Detroit vs. Boston
By Charles Jay
The red-hot Boston Celtics (20-2 SU, 15-6-1 ATS), who possess the league's best record, face an efficient, veteran team on Wednesday night when they play host to the Detroit Pistons (17-7 SU, 14-9-1 ATS) in what should be an entertaining NBA showdown slated for 7:30 PM ET tipoff at the TD Banknorth Center.
In the BetUS NBA betting odds, the Celts are listed at -6, with the over/under posted at 183 points.
In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA betting trends:
* BOS has covered six of the last nine meetings
* DET has won the last eight meetings SU
* Four of the last five meetings have gone UNDER the total
* DET has won six of the last seven meetings as the visitor
The Pistons have won nine of 11, and are holding opponents to 91.2 points per game and 43.6% shooting. Detroit takes care of the ball, turning it over only 11.2 times per game. Also:
* DET is 9-1-1 ATS in its last 11 games
* DET has played four of its last five games UNDER the total
* DET is 4-0-1 ATS in its last five road games
* DET has won four of its last five road games SU
* DET has played nine OVERS in its last 12 road games
Boston has won nine straight games, the longest winning streak this franchise has experienced since 1993. The 20-2 record marks the team's best start in 44 years. Also:
* BOS has covered four of its last five games
* BOS has played four UNDERS in its last five games
* BOS has covered nine of its 12 home games
* BOS has won all 12 home games SU this season
* BOS has played six UNDERS in its last seven home games
This has to be considered a big test for the Celtics, who have faced a relatively soft schedule en route to a league-leading 20-2 record. Not for nothing, but that fact was reflected in the power rankings in USA Today, which placed Boston #2 behind San Antonio. But Boston has managed to put away teams like Toronto, Miami and the L.A. Lakers with ease, and there is no denying the talent level. Kevin Garnett is on his way to an MVP award, it would seem, and what might be surprising to some is that he has succeeded in bringing a culture of defense to this team; indeed, Boston is yielding just 41.3% shooting from the field and 86.5 points per game. That IS surprising, considering the other members of the superstar trio in Beantown - Ray Allen and Paul Pierce - have never been known for their defensive prowess.
Detroit, as we know, has kept most of its starting lineup together from its world championship season. So there is cohesion, and as Celtics coach Doc Rivers is quick to point out, they have actually won something and player for something recently, while Boston hasn't done that yet. Detroit had a four-game season sweep in 2006-07, although obviously this was a different Boston crew it had to contend with. Even so, this is a prideful Piston bunch, with enough weapons to keep things close, so we'll take the points with Detroit, the six-point underdog in the BetUS NBA basketball betting odds.
BetUS NBA basketball betting odds: BOSTON -6, Total: 183
JAY'S PLAY: DETROIT
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(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com is a freelance writer and handicapper who not only can make his shots from the top of the key, but also contributes with gusto to the BetUS Locker Room)