[tinfw17]

OVER 191.5,MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES -vs-Detroit Pistons

4* #711 DETROIT/MEMPHIS Over

The best value early in any sports season comes from teams that have had major changes that throw past data-bases completely out of play. That is what we are going to have on both sides of this equation, and the low Total set for this matchup shows how far behind we believe the oddsmakers are. The Pistons had a great chemistry for a lot of seasons, grinding down opponents with a patient half-court offense and that tenacious defense. Not anymore. It is a completely different mix now with the likes of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva on board, and in leading the team in scoring in the pre-season we also see the potential of Rodney Stuckey beginning to show. This is a team that can attack offensively from every position except at C, and we expect a loose and aggressive approach under John Kuester. At the same time, the defensive chemistry is going to be a work in progress for most of the season, and the pieces simply may not fit together in that aspect of the game even when they have had the time to play together. Kuester already knows that it is difficult to have Gordon and Villanueva on the court at the same time because of their liabilities on that end, but it will also means plenty of scoring punch off of the bench. While Memphis lacks the history of Detroit, there are similarities in terms of how many new pieces are trying to come together going forward. Four of the five starters are in their first or second season in a Grizzly uniform, and while the individual talent is there to be able to attack and score in uptempo settings, the defense will have holes galore. They were 21st on our best set of defensive ratings LY, and we do not see any signs of improvement, particularly with Zach Randolph now ticketed for so many minutes. But with Mike Conley pushing the ball (5.7 assists per game after Lionel Hollins took over as coach, after just 3.0 previously), and having wing scorers in Randolph, Rudy Gay and O. J. Mayo, they can get out into the open court and make things happen. That will particularly be the case in the home opener against a vulnerable Detroit defense, and it creates an entirely different flow than what the oddsmakers are calling for.

[joey]

OVER 191.5,MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES -vs-Detroit Pistons

4* #711 DETROIT/MEMPHIS Over

The best value early in any sports season comes from teams that have had major changes that throw past data-bases completely out of play. That is what we are going to have on both sides of this equation, and the low Total set for this matchup shows how far behind we believe the oddsmakers are. The Pistons had a great chemistry for a lot of seasons, grinding down opponents with a patient half-court offense and that tenacious defense. Not anymore. It is a completely different mix now with the likes of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva on board, and in leading the team in scoring in the pre-season we also see the potential of Rodney Stuckey beginning to show. This is a team that can attack offensively from every position except at C, and we expect a loose and aggressive approach under John Kuester. At the same time, the defensive chemistry is going to be a work in progress for most of the season, and the pieces simply may not fit together in that aspect of the game even when they have had the time to play together. Kuester already knows that it is difficult to have Gordon and Villanueva on the court at the same time because of their liabilities on that end, but it will also means plenty of scoring punch off of the bench. While Memphis lacks the history of Detroit, there are similarities in terms of how many new pieces are trying to come together going forward. Four of the five starters are in their first or second season in a Grizzly uniform, and while the individual talent is there to be able to attack and score in uptempo settings, the defense will have holes galore. They were 21st on our best set of defensive ratings LY, and we do not see any signs of improvement, particularly with Zach Randolph now ticketed for so many minutes. But with Mike Conley pushing the ball (5.7 assists per game after Lionel Hollins took over as coach, after just 3.0 previously), and having wing scorers in Randolph, Rudy Gay and O. J. Mayo, they can get out into the open court and make things happen. That will particularly be the case in the home opener against a vulnerable Detroit defense, and it creates an entirely different flow than what the oddsmakers are calling for.

4- Toronto +6 now +7.5 pays to wait sometimes

[joey]

4- Toronto +6 now +7.5 pays to wait sometimes

4-Charlotte +10.5