Build Some Momentum
The Detroit Pistons are back in the playoffs, but with plenty of time left until the postseason begins, they’re hoping to build some momentum during a demanding stretch of games.
The Pistons will be trying to continue their recent dominance of the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday when the teams meet at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Oddsmakers from Sportsbook.com have made Detroit -9 point spread favorites (NBA Odds) for today’s game, the over/under has been set at 191 total points (Matchup). Our public betting information shows that 74% of bets for this game have been placed on Detroit -9 (View NBA Bet Percentages).
Detroit (46-17) clinched its seventh straight trip to the playoffs with Sunday’s 116-109 victory over Chicago. The win was the seventh in nine games for the Central Division-leading Pistons, who opened a five-game homestand.
Following this matchup with the surging 76ers (30-34), Detroit hosts San Antonio, New Orleans and Denver. The Spurs lead the Southwest Division and are 1 1/2 games ahead of the Hornets, while the Nuggets are in ninth place in the competitive Western Conference.
"It’s good to be home, especially for a stretch," said Chauncey Billups, who matched his season-high with 34 points Sunday. "We can start getting some games under our belt at home and have some good teams coming in where we know we’ve got to be on guard. We can’t have letdowns. I look forward to this stretch."
If recent history is any indication, the Pistons – 24-5 at home – have a good shot at their fourth straight win on their own court. Detroit has won 13 of its last 15 games against the 76ers and six of seven at home in the series.
However, the Sixers, who are in seventh place in the East, have won 12 of their last 16 games as they battle for their first playoff berth since 2004-05.
Richard Hamilton chipped in 23 points on Sunday for the Pistons and Tayshaun Prince added 21, including 15 in the final 17 minutes after a third quarter foul left him laying on the floor grabbing his right elbow.
"Tay has had some big games for us in the last week," coach Flip Saunders said. "I like to see him putting the ball on the floor, because he cannot only get to the basket, he can become a playmaker. Look at the six assists he had tonight."
All-Star Rasheed Wallace, who averages 13.2 points and 7.0 rebounds, missed his second straight game with an ankle injury.
Philadelphia had a four-game winning streak end Monday, falling 100-86 to the East-leading Boston Celtics. Andre Miller scored 22 points and Andre Iguodala had 17 for the Sixers, who allowed Boston to score the first 15 points but rebounded to tie the game at 44 in the second quarter.
However, the Sixers were held below 100 points for the first time in five games and shot a season-worst 31.6 percent. Philadelphia fell to 2-15 when scoring fewer than 90 points and 2-21 when yielding at least 100.
"They make you realize we have a ways to go," Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said of the Celtics, who won their 50th game. "We’ve been playing well, but we’ve got to play better. They have seasoned guys, we understand that."
Miller appeared to hurt his back when he crashed to the court in the third quarter but stayed in the game. Starting shooting guard Willie Green, however, left the game with a strained lower back.
By: Marc Young – theSpread.com – Email Us
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