posted May 20, 2008 at 17:29 in NBA Free Picks

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

Tuesday, May 20th --- TD Banknorth Garden, Boston --- 8:30pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Boston -4.5 (174)

The Celtics have fought long and hard to prove that they are, indeed, the best team in the NBA. And there’s no more fitting Eastern Conference Championship opponent for them to face than the empire built by the Detroit Pistons. Are the walls coming down for Detroit, or will the Boston Three Party finally sink like the Bay of Pigs.

What’s that? No more Massachusetts historical references? You got it.

Detroit is 4-2 SU in their last 6 road games, and are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games against the Celtics. To be honest, this season, Boston has been a nightmare matchup for Boston. With Paul Pierce finding his rhythm against LeBron and Cleveland, Detroit has much more to worry about.

Thankfully, Ray Allen has officially vanished as a factor in this game and there’s no reason to believe that Rip Hamilton will let him come back in to the series. Truthfully, Boston needs Allen’s deft shooting touch on the perimeter to help bolster their scoring average of 100.5 points per game. That’s because, and only because, Detroit allows a league leading 90.1 points against per game.

The battle that everyone is focusing on, however, will be the enigma of Rasheed Wallace battling the fury of Kevin Garnett in the post. Rasheed has become the unquestioned leader of the Pistons team. And his leadership is the reason that the Pistons have become such a remarkable presence in the Eastern Conference Championships. Sheed has averaged 16.0 points per game and 8.3 rebounds against Boston, so expect him to be a Furious Factor in this NBA betting series.

That’s not to say that KG will vanquish from contention in the face of adversity. It’s simply that Boston Is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games, despite a 5-0 SU record at the Garden. The Celtics are also 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games, and have a fairly reasonable point handicap to work with tonight.

The health of Chauncey Billups has me worried for the Detroit betting faithful. An injured hamstring slows a guy down, effects the way he jumps and moves laterally, and can kill a guy defensively. Unless Big Zydrunas plans on storming out of the crowd and clothes lining Raging Rondo again, I don’t see Rondo slowing down in this series. That matchup alone is a reason to safely bet on Boston tonight.

Another? Tayshuan Prince’s 5.3 points per game average when facing Boston this season. Boston is a monster at home and have are ready for anything after withstanding a devastating performance from LeBron. Boston did what Detroit couldn’t do last year, so bet safely on Boston to open this series with a win at home.

NBA Furious Free Picks: Boston -4.5 (UNDER)

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