Posted on 4/11/2008 8:05:26 PM

NBA Basketball Wagering – Wizards Host Pistons, Teams Prepare For Playoffs

By Eric Williams

While the Detroit Pistons, (55-23 SU, 41-36-1 ATS, 35-42-1 O/U), have been resting their aging veteran stars prior to the playoffs, the Washington Wizards, (41-37 SU, 44-34 ATS, 42-36 O/U), are trying to let their opponents know just what they can expect in the postseason after finally getting their team healthy after a season full of injuries to many of their best players, including al-stars Caron ‘Tough Juice’ Butler and Gilbert ‘Agent Zero’ Arenas.

While the Pistons have dropped two straight games in the BetUS Sportsbook, including a 101-94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, the Wizards have won three consecutive games including an emphatic 109-95 win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday that I correctly predicted that day in the BetUS Locker Room.

The Wizards (41-37) are trying to catch fourth-place Cleveland to gain home-court advantage in the first round.

"A lot of teams are resting their starters because they're in the playoffs," Washington forward Antawn Jamison said. "But for us, I think we had too much rest throughout the season. It's time to get the rotations down, get the chemistry down."

The Wizards have had Arenas back in the lineup for the past three games, all wins, after missing 66 games because of a lingering knee injury.

"He's coming off the bench. He's still got to get his conditioning," Washington coach Eddie Jordan said. "He won't be Gil until next October."

Detroit and Washington have split two games this season.

The Wizards are 6-4 in their last ten games and 5-5 against the spread over the same span while Detroit has also won six of ten but has managed to go just 4-6 against the spread over the same span.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Gambling Free Picks:

The Wizards are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a S.U. win.

The Wizards are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5.

The Pistons are 6-2 ATS in their last eight home games.

The Pistons are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games as a home favorite.

The Over is 4-0 in Wizards last four games playing on one days rest.

The Under is 4-0 in Pistons last four vs. NBA Southeast.

The Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.

Analysis: While the Pistons are the deeper and more experienced team, and will undoubtedly go further in the postseason than Washington, I like the Wizards to pick up another quality win tonight while covering the spread against a Pistons team that just doesn’t want to see any of its key players get injured at this point.

NBA Free Picks: Washington -5½ Points/Over 188 Total Points

08:05 PM EST NBA Point Spreads

Washington Wizards +5½ -110

Detroit Pistons -5½ -110

Over 188 -110

Under 188 -110

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