SPORTS ADVISORS
WEST COAST CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
(at Las Vegas)
St. Mary’s (24-5, 14-10-1 ATS) vs. (14) Gonzaga (25-5, 14-13 ATS)
Gonzaga made it eight straight wins overall and improved to a perfect 15-0 in West Coast Conference play with Sunday’s thorough 94-89 beating of Santa Clara in the tourney semifinals, easily cashing as a 14½-point favorite. The Bulldogs shot 57.1 percent from the field and 59.1 percent from beyond the three-point-line and had five players scored in double-digits. Gonzaga has followed up a 1-5 ATS slump by going 4-1 ATS in its last five lined games
After the Zags secured their spot in tonight’s championship game, the Gaels – with star point guard Patty Mills back in the lineup for the first time in five weeks – won their sixth straight (3-3 ATS) with a 71-61 triumph over Portland, cashing as 8½-point favorites. St. Mary’s won easily despite getting outshot 48.1 percent to 43.4 percent, and it went just 7-for-19 from three-point land, while Portland made 9 of 12 tries from downtown. Also, Mills shot just 3-for-12 and the Gaels missed 12 of 30 foul shots, yet still won by double digits for the fourth straight time and the fifth time during their six-game winning streak.
This is Gonzaga’s 12th straight trip to the West Coast Conference tournament title game, while St. Mary’s is seeking to become the first team in school history to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back years.
These rivals have played two close ones this season with Gonzaga getting a 69-62 home win back on Jan. 29, but failing to cover as 9½-point favorites. Then Bulldogs went to St. Mary’s on Feb. 12 and held on for a 72-70 victory, but again came up short against the line, this time as a four-point road chalk. The Gaels have gotten the money in four of the last five battles, going 3-1 ATS in the underdog role.
Not only are the Zags unbeaten in conference play, but they have won 17 of their last 18, with the only blemish being a 68-50 home loss to Memphis on Feb. 7 as four-point favorites. Gonzaga is 5-1 at neutral sites this season (4-2 ATS). Meanwhile, the Gaels are 8-5 ATS in their last 13 overall, but 6-15-2 ATS in their last 22 neutral-site games and 2-4 ATS in their last six following a SU win.
Gonzaga has topped the total in six of its last seven overall and eight of 11 away from home, but the Bulldogs have stayed below the total in six of seven neutral-site games as a favorite. St. Mary’s has stayed below the total now in three straight after a six-of-seven stretch where the Gaels topped the total. Also, they have stayed under the total in eight of 11 games away from home this season. Finally, the over is 4-2 in the last six meetings between these rivals.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
(at Chattanooga, Tennessee)
College of Charleston (26-7, 12-16-2 ATS) vs. Chattanooga (17-16, 12-17 ATS)
The College of Charleston reached the Southern Conference tournament championship game for the second time in three years by upsetting top-seeded Davidson 59-52 as 9½-point ‘dogs Sunday. The Cougars have won eight in a row (6-2 ATS) and 10 of 11 (8-3 ATS), including two victories over Davidson, which last year made a string run to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
Chattanooga reached the finals on its home court with victories over Elon College on Saturday (79-78 as an 8½-point favorite) and Samford on Sunday (81-70 as a 5½-point chalk). Stephen McDowell scored 32 points on Sunday to lead the Mocs, who have put their season-ending three-game losing streak well behind them. However, they’re still just 1-6 ATS in their last seven.
These two met on February 23 with Charleston scoring an 86-77 upset as a 2½-point underdog at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga. The Cougars are 4-1 in the last five meetings (3-2 ATS).
The Cougars are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 overall, 7-0 ATS in their last seven away from home and 5-0 ATS in neutral-site contests this season. Chattanooga is just 1-4 ATS in its last five on its home court, including 1-1 ATS in this postseason tournament.
The Mocs have topped the total in five straight and 11 of their last 14 overall. Meanwhile, Charleston has stayed under the posted number in four straight and nine of the last 12. When these two met in February, they topped the 158½-point total, ending a 5-1 “under” streak in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
NBA
New Orleans (39-22, 26-33-2 ATS) at Atlanta (35-28, 33-30 ATS)
The Hornets head to Philips Arena in Atlanta in search of their eighth straight victory as they begin a four-game road trip against the Hawks.
New Orleans is coming off Saturday’s 108-90 victory over the Thunder as 12½-point home favorites, the Hornets’ seventh straight SU win (3-4 ATS) and third straight spread-cover. They’ve been doing it with defense, not allowing an opponent to reach triple figures during this seven-game streak.
Atlanta has dropped six of its last nine (5-4 ATS) but did manage a Saturday night home victory over Detroit, winning 87-83 as a 2½-point chalk. The Hawks have won 21 of 28 home games (15-13 ATS), including 4-2 SU and 5-1 ATS n the last six.
In November, the Hawks went to New Orleans and upset the Hornets 87-79 as 8½-point underdogs, ending a four-game SU and ATS losing streak in this series. The Hornets are 3-1 SU and ATS in their last four trips to Atlanta.
New Orleans is on ATS slides of 2-7 on the road, 5-12-1 after a spread-cover, 2-5 on Mondays and 1-4 after getting a day off. Atlanta is just 1-5 ATS in its last six against the Western Conference, but the Hawks are on positive ATS runs of 5-2 overall, 10-3 at home against teams with a winning road mark, 6-0 as a home ‘dog and 4-0 at home overall.
For the Hornets, the under is 9-3-2 in their last 14 Monday games, but the over is on runs of 9-3 as a favorite, 8-3 after getting a day off and 4-1-1 on the road. The Hawks have stayed under the total in five of seven at home, six of eight against teams with winning records and four straight on Mondays. In this series, the under is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings in Atlanta.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NEW ORLEANS and UNDER
Houston (41-23, 30-33-1 ATS) at Denver (40-24, 34-29-1 ATS)
The struggling Nuggets return to the Pepsi Center in Denver to host the red-hot Rockets tonight.
Houston comes into this one having won 10 of 12 (7-5 ATS), including Sunday’s 93-83 home win over Memphis, falling short as a 14-point favorite. The Rockets have been lighting up the scoreboard lately, averaging 102.8 points per game over their last six contests, topping the century mark in four of those outings. However, they are just 2-6 (3-5 ATS) in their last eight roadies.
Denver has stumbled lately, losing seven of 10 both SU and ATS, including getting swept on a brief two-game road trip this past weekend, first falling 97-91 at Utah on Friday (cashing as a 9½-point ‘dog), then losing 114-106 at Sacramento on Sunday night as a nine-point favorite. George Karl’s defense has reverted to its old ways during the 3-7 slump, giving up 100 points or more in seven of those games, including 109 or more five times.
The host has won each of the last seven meetings between these two (5-2 ATS), including all three this season. Denver got a 104-94 win at home back in November as a 3½-point favorite, but Houston has since gotten payback, prevailing 108-96 in December as a four-point chalk and eking out a 115-113 victory in January, failing as 2½-point favorites. This figures to be a high-scoring affair, as the victor has scored 103 points or more in each of the last nine series battles.
The Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last four Monday contests, but they carry positive ATS trends of 7-4 overall, 5-2 against teams with a winning straight-up record and 4-1 against Northwest Division teams. Denver is 1-5 ATS in its last six as a chalk, but otherwise the Nuggets are on ATS runs of 8-4 against Western Conference teams, 6-2 against teams with winning records and 6-1 at home against teams with losing road marks.
Houston is riding “over” streaks of 11-5 on the road against teams with a winning home mark, 6-2 on Mondays and 7-3 as a road ‘dog of up to 4½ points. For the Nuggets, the under is on runs of 7-3 against Western Conference teams, 4-0 on the second night of a back-to-back and 4-2 overall. Conversely, all three meetings this season between these clubs have eclipsed the posted total, and the over is 7-3 in the last 10 in the Mile High City.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DENVER
L.A. Lakers (50-12, 32-30 ATS) at Portland (39-23, 31-31 ATS)
The Lakers will try to make it three straight overall and three straight over the Blazers when they make their first visit of the season to the Rose Garden for a Western Conference showdown.
Los Angeles has been off since Friday when it scored an easy 110-90 home win over the Timberwolves, cashing as a 15½-point favorite. The Lakers are 21-8 on the road this season (16-13 ATS), but they have dropped three of their last four both SU and ATS away from home, including back-to-back setbacks at Denver (90-79) and Phoenix (118-111) in their last two. Aside from those three road losses, the Lakers have won 15 straight games.
Portland has won four of five overall (2-3 ATS) but barely held off the Timberwolves 95-93 on Saturday, coming nowhere near the number as a 14-point chalk. The Blazers have rattled off 11 straight wins at home (7-4 ATS), and they’re 26-5 at the Rose Garden (19-12 ATS) this season.
The Lakers have made it look easy against the Blazers twice already this season, both at home, winning 96-76 on opening night as an eight-point chalk and 100-86 in early January as 11-point favorites. It is the first two covers for Los Angeles in this rivalry since 2006, as the ‘dog remains on a whopping 22-6 ATS run in the last 28 series meetings, with the Blazers going 21-7 ATS in those 28, including 13-3 ATS in the last 16 clashes with Los Angeles at home.
The Lakers are on ATS streaks of 7-3 after a spread-cover, 7-3 on the road against teams with winning home records, 6-1 on Monday and 6-0 after getting two days off. Portland is just 1-4 ATS in its last five as a ‘dog, but it’s riding pointspread hot streaks of 27-10 as a home pup, 5-1 after getting a day off and 4-0 on Monday.
Los Angeles has stayed below the total in each of its last four and 15 of 21 on Mondays, but the Lakers are on “over” runs of 10-4-1 on the road, 7-3-1 as a road chalk, 16-6-1 after a straight-up win and 8-3 after a spread-cover. The Blazers are on “under” streaks of 11-4 as a ‘dog, 5-1 after a non-cover and 7-3-1 against Western Conference teams. However, In this rivalry, the over is 8-3 in the last 11 matchups in Oregon.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PORTLAND
DUNKEL
Chicago at Miami
The Bulls look to build on their 5-2 ATS record as a road underdog between 3 1/2 and 6 points. Chicago is the underdog pick (+5) according to Dunkel, which has the Heat favored by only 3 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+5).
Game 501-502: New Orleans at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 120.923; Atlanta 118.081
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 3; 186
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 1; 189
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-1); Under
Game 503-504: Orlando at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 121.197; Detroit 122.234
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1; 193 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 1; 187
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+1); Over
Game 505-506: Chicago at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 116.771; Miami 120.328
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 3 1/2; 209 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 5; 205
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+5); Over
Game 507-508: Washington at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 108.540; Minnesota 113.582
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 5; 199
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 2 1/2; 201 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-2 1/2); Under
Game 509-510: Houston at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 122.798; Denver 124.619
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 2; 202
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 4; 198 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+4); Over
Game 511-512: LA Lakers at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 123.347; Portland 123.109
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 201
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 3; 203 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+3); Under
NCAAB
Game 513-514: George Mason vs. VA Commonwealth
Dunkel Ratings: George Mason 56.332; VA Commonwealth 61.684
Dunkel Line: VA Commonwealth by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 515-516: North Texas vs. Western Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: North Texas 54.693; Western Kentucky 58.136
Dunkel Line: Western Kentucky by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 517-518: South Alabama vs. Arkansas Little Rock
Dunkel Ratings: South Alabama 52.448; Arkansas Little Rock 55.981
Dunkel Line: Arkansas Little Rock by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 519-520: St. Mary's (CA) vs. Gonzaga
Dunkel Ratings: St. Mary's (CA) 61.246; Gonzaga 70.239
Dunkel Line: Gonzaga by 9
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 521-522: College of Charleston vs. TN-Chattanooga
Dunkel Ratings: College of Charleston 54.711; TN-Chattanooga 52.804
Dunkel Line: College of Charleston by 2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 523-524: Niagara vs. Siena
Dunkel Ratings: Niagara 61.977; Siena 60.928
Dunkel Line: Niagara by 1
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
NHL
Toronto at Ottawa
The Leafs look to take advantage of an Ottawa team that is just 5-11 SU against division opponents. Toronto is the underdog pick (+170) according to Dunkel, which has the Leafs favored straight up by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+170).
Game 1-2: NY Rangers at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.621; Carolina 11.215
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Carolina (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (+120); Under
Game 3-4: Toronto at Ottawa
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 11.288; Ottawa 10.721
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Ottawa (-200); 6
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+170); Over
Game 5-6: Vancouver at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 12.060; Los Angeles 10.789
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-140); Under
Carlo Campanella
LA Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers
Lakers just a basket favorite on Monday at Portland, a team that they've beaten by 14 and 20 points during the last two meetings. Lakers enter this road game on a 2 game winning streak and have taken 8 of their last 10 overall. They should have no trouble beating Portland once again tonight, as they're 23-11 ATS on the road after scoring 110 points or more in their previous game.
Play on: LA Lakers
VEGAS EXPERTS
Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons
A number of our experts cashed on Orlando yesterday, but really it's gotten to the point where there are so many trends working in their favor that you have to go against. Pistons were playing quite well before the slip up in Atlanta Saturday night and remember it was a win against the Magic in Orlando 10 days ago that rejuvenated this veteran team. Detroit has dominated this rivalry, winning 16 of the last 19 straight up (12-5-2 ATS)
Play on: Detroit
Bob Harvey
Miami Heat -5
The Heat look for their third straight win over the Bulls when the teams collide in South Beach tonight.
Chicago is 10-23 away from home, and its current four-game road skid includes lopsided losses at Washington and Charlotte. These are not got signs for a team that is struggling to make the playoffs. The Bulls are currently in 8th place in the NBA playoff race but five other teams are scrambling for the final playoff spot in the east. To make matters worse, bruising forward Luol Deng is expected to be out several more days with what doctors feel is a stress fracture in his leg.
Meanwhile Miami, thanks in large part to Dwayne Wade, has been of the biggest surprises this season. The Heat are 5th in the Eastern Conference playoff race stunning many of the pundits had them out of the playoff chase this season.
Wade is the league’s leading scorer and has been virtually a one-man show for the Heat. He's averaging 36.4 points and 10.8 assists in his last eight games, with four 40-point efforts over that span. Miami is 3-2 in it’s last five games but two of those losses have come against Cleveland.
Miami is 2-0 SU and 1-1 ATS vs. Chicago but both of those games were before the trade deadline.
These teams have played them close but the Heat have the Bulls number.
D-Wade will be the headliner tonight but a nice undercard will feature Derek Rose against Michael Beasley in a battle of the top picks from the 2008 draft.
LT Profits
Minnesota Timberwolves -3
Now make no mistake, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards are two lousy basketball teams.
However, the Wizards have been so awful on the road that even the lowly Timberwolves should be able to cover a small spot like this at home. After all, Washington is 4-27 straight up on the road, and they have not even been competitive for the most part, losing all their road games by an average of -10.5 points! They have lost their last four roadies by an average of -14.8 points.
Yes, the Timberwolves have lost nine straight, but they really did not have much of a chance in many of those games vs. the better teams in the Western Conference. They are now playing a team in their own league in a rare winnable game in front of their own fans, and they are also playing with revenge after losing the first meeting with the Wizards this season 111-103 in Washington.
Look for Minnesota to take advantage of this opportunity to put a win on the board.
Pick: Timberwolves -3
Marc Lawrence
Play On: VCU
The Rams take on the Patriots in the Colonial Athletic Conference title game tonight in a series that's seen VCU dominate George Mason as a favorite, going 15-5 ATS. When Rams are laying points in this series and they beat the Patriots in their most recent meeting they improve to 12-2 ATS, including 7-0 ATS when favored by 8 or less points. Look for VCU to earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament here tonight.
Jimmy The Moose
New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes
Prediction: Over
The Rangers have played under the total more times than the over this season but lately they have found their scoring touch. New York played to a 4-3 win yesterday easily going over the total and it was their third straight over. Carolina has played over the total in 4 straight games and in 8 of their last 10 overall. The over is 8-1 in their last 9 games played with 1 day rest between action. Look for both team's to score goals tonight as this one goes over the total.
Stephen Nover
Houston Rockets @ Denver Nuggets
PICK: Houston Rockets
Denver is sure to be fired-up returning home after suffering a 114-106 road loss on Sunday to the lowly Sacramento Kings.
But are the Nuggets worthy of laying this many points to such a quality opponent?
Denver is not playing well, having lost seven of its past 10 games. The Nuggets have failed to cover in four of the past five times they've been favored.
Houston is 10-2 in its last 12 games. The Rockets are battling for a high playoff seeding. They also played on Sunday, but had no trouble dispatching a bad Memphis Grizzlies team. No Houston player went more than 33 minutes.
By contrast, Denver had four players who logged more than 36 minutes on Sunday. Veteran Chauncey Billups played 43:36. Carmelo Anthony and Nene each played close to 39 minutes. Streak shooter J.R. Smith went more than 36 minutes.
This marks Denver's fourth game in five days. The Nuggets just got into town following two consecutive road games. So it's not a good situational spot for them.
This is a one-unit play for me.
Frank Jordan
Washington Wizards vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Play: Washington Wizards +3.5
Washington is 14-49 on the year, have lost 5 in a row and the loss of Gilbert Arenas all year has really hurt them. Minnesota is 18-44 on the year and have lost 9 in a row. In the battle of lottery teams look for the Wizards to whip up some magic as they end their losing streak on the road in Minnesota and send the Wolves to their 10th straight defeat. Play Washington
Karl Garrett
New Orleans -1 at ATLANTA
Tonight in the NBA go with New Orleans to extend their winning streak at the expense of Atlanta.
The Hornets come to town riding a 7-game winning streak, and they have also gotten hot against the spread, covering their last 3.
Atlanta is fresh off a home win over Detroit, but the Hawks have been very inconsistent of late, dropping 6 of their last 9 overall.
The Hawks did win this year's first meeting, 87-79 at New Orleans, but that win is Atlanta's lone win and cover in the last 5 meetings against the Hornets.
G-Man calling for a close one, but in the end I see the Hornets running their win streak to 8 straight.
Take New Orleans as the small road chalk.
3♦ NEW ORLEANS
Bobby Maxwell
Houston at DENVER -3'
Denver has been a tough team to read lately, losing seven of its last 10, but in this series, it seems the home team dominates and we'll go with the Nuggets in this one in front of the home fans.
The host has won seven in a row in this rivalry (5-2 ATS), including all three this season. Denver got a 104-94 home win over the Rockets in November, covering as a 3 1/2-point favorite.
And the Nuggets have got to be pissed after Sunday's ugly 114-106 loss at Sacramento as they failed to cover as nine-point road chalk. This team needs Chauncey Billups to step up like he did when he got there and lead this team. Carmelo Anthony is the scorer, but Chauncey is the leader.
Denver is on ATS streaks of 6-1 at home against teams with a losing road record and 8-4 against Western Conference foes. Houston is just 2-6 ATS in its last six roadies.
Look for the Nuggets to come out strong. Both teams played Sunday night and have to go on the second night of a back-to-back, so we'll take the home team in this situation. Play Denver.
4♦ DENVER
Sports Gambling Hotline
George Mason vs. VCU -5 - at Richmond, Va.
Sunday comp play winner on Michigan State minus the points to put our comp play run at 21-11-2 the last 35 days.
Colonial Championship tonight, and we have a rematch of the final from 2 season's ago between George Mason and VCU.
The Rams did win the '07 title game, 65-59 as the 5-point favorite, and I think we have deja vu all over again tonight.
Virginia Commonwealth has had George Mason's number of late, winning 4 of the last 5, while covering in 3 of the 5.
The Patriots were lucky to get by Towson State on Sunday, as they needed a 14-5 run to close out Sunday's win.
Expect that effort to have the Pats a little gassed come the closing minutes to this Championship tilt.
VCU is on a 9-4 spread run in neutral site games, and the favorite in the series is a profitable 6-2 against the spread.
Play on the Rams to punch their Big Dance ticket with the win, and cover.
3♦ VCU
Jrtips
BULLS vs. HEAT
Derrik Rose and the (29-34) Chicago Bulls, are looking for their first head-to-head victory of the season over the Miami Heat and Michael Beasley, who was chosen one pick after Rose last summer. Tonight in Miami, Chicago will try to maintain its hold on eighth place in the Eastern Conference and snap a four-game road losing streak. The Bulls rookie Derrik Rose ranks second among rookies with 16.6 points per game and first with 6.3 assists a contest. He matched a season high with 27 points Friday night against Milwaukee, helping the Bulls to a 117-102 win that put them into sole possession of eight in the East. Ben Gordon led Chicago with 34 points against the Bucks, helping to shoulder the scoring load as forward Luol Deng missed his third straight game with what could be a stress fracture in his right leg. John Salmons, who was requried in a trade from the Sacramento Kings has been his replacement averaging 22.0 points in his last two games. Miami also made a deal before the deadline, adding Jermaine O'Neal and Jamario Moon from Toronto for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. In the last game, Miami won in the closing seconds 95-93 at Chicago on Feb. 12th. Beasley had 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting off the bench in that game. Rose was 3-of-14 from the field and totaled 10 points, three assists and five turnovers in the Bulls' 90-77 loss at Miami on Dec. 26th. Chicago is 10-23 away from home, and its current four-game road skid includes lopsided losses at Washington and Charlotte. Dwyane Wade, the NBA scoring leader, and the Heat (33-29) are fifth in the East.They're 3-2 in their last five games, with both losses coming against East-leading Cleveland. Saturday night's 99-89 road defeat to the Cavaliers came despite 25 points, 12 assists, eight rebounds and four steals from Wade. Beasley added 19 points off the bench.Wade is averaging 36.4 points and 10.8 assists in his last eight games, with four 40-point efforts over that span. The Bulls just don"t play well on the road as they don have enough consistent scoring and they face a Miami team that is playing their best basketball on losing to Cleveland in two close ball games over their last five games. Wade is on a tear right probaly playing better than any player in the league right now and the bulls have no answer for him on the road tonight.
TAKE MIAMI-5
JIM FEIST
ORLANDO MAGIC / DETROIT PISTONS
Take DETROIT PISTONS
A tough situational spot for the visitors, playing their third game in four nights. It's also the second of a back to back road spot, after a huge win at Boston Sunday. Meanwhile, the rejuvenated Pistons are rested and ready, on a 4-2 SU, 5-1 ATS run. Their scoring has been balanced: The last game Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 20 points, Rodney Stuckey added 19 and Rasheed Wallace had 14. They have been clicking offensively with Hamilton starting and back as the focal point of the offense. Play the Pistons.