Posted on
4/9/2008 3:19:55 PM
NBA Wagering – Young Sixers vs Veteran Pistons
By Eric Williams
The Detroit Pistons, (55-21 SU, 41-34-1 ATS, 34-41-1 O/U), and Philadelphia 76ers, (39-38 SU, 42-32-3 ATS, 36-40-1 O/U), meet tonight in what amounts to a possible sports betting first round playoff preview between the two teams.
The Sixers enter tonight’s contest coming off a 92-85 home loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the BetUS Sportsbook and are seeking to avoid their first three-game losing streak at home in what has been a pleasantly surprising season for Philadelphia.
"The game was flat," Sixers head coach Maurice Cheeks said about his team’s performance against the Hawks. "We couldn't get into the rhythm that we were in before. I think we expended a lot of energy (Friday), realizing where we were and where we were trying to get to."
The Piston come into tonight’s matchup off a dismal 98-94 loss to the lowly New York Knicks on Tuesday as shooting guard Richard Hamilton sat out his fourth consecutive game while resting a troublesome knee.
"The group that went in there, they played their butts off in the fourth quarter, they gave us a chance," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "It's easy when you're down 25 or 27 to just roll it in. Those guys didn't, they fought back."
Pistons rookie guard Rodney Stuckey is averaging 18.0 points over his last four games in increased playing time as the Pistons rest their veterans.
Detroit has won five straight and six of seven in Philadelphia. The Pistons are just 6-4 in their last ten games but have gone 4-6 against the spread over the same span.
The Sixers have won six of their last ten while going 5-5 against the spread over the same span.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Wagering Free Picks:
The Pistons are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Pistons are 3-8 ATS in their last eleven vs. Eastern Conference.
The 76ers are 6-0 ATS in their last six vs. NBA Central.
The 76ers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven Wednesday games.
The Under is 4-0 in Pistons last four road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
The Under is 4-1 in 76ers last five vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Pistons are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings in Philadelphia.
The Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
Analysis: While the Pistons are likely headed toward a clash with the Boston Celtics in the eastern conference finals this season, the Philadelphia 76ers are the pick to win and cover in this matchup as the Pistons will play many of their younger players while the Sixers desperately seek to avoid their first three-games losing streak at home this season.
NBA Free Picks: Sixers -1½ Points
07:05 PM EST NBA Point Spreads
Detroit Pistons +1½ -110
Philadelphia 76ers -1½ -110
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