For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this game is on the Pistons:
The stumbling Pistons try to avoid losing 14 straight games in a single season for the first time in nearly 30 years tonight.
With a 104-95 victory over Golden State on Dec. 12, Detroit (11-25) won its fifth in a row to move within one game of the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons appeared to be getting their season on track, but they’ve lost all 13 games since with injuries playing a major role.
After coach John Kuester criticized his team’s intensity following Saturday’s 104-94 loss to Philadelphia, Detroit allowed its most points of the season in Monday’s 120-87 defeat in Chicago; expect a more concerted effort on both sides of the ball after that embarrassment.
Detroit has been playing horribly lately, no doubt, but it can take solace in the fact that it always plays Washington tough; 6-1 SU its last seven vs. the Wizards regardless of location.
On the other side of the court: Washington (12-23) lost 121-98 at Cleveland on Wednesday - the day Arenas was suspended indefinitely by the NBA for bringing guns to the Verizon Center and related incidents - but has since defeated Southeast Division-leading Orlando (104-97 on Friday) and nearly upset New Orleans two days later.
In Sunday’s 115-110 loss to the Hornets, there were four ties and eight lead changes in the fourth quarter before New Orleans went up for good with 2:49 remaining.
Remember, Washington is also struggling mightily in many ATS categories; 2-4 ATS its last six overall, just 2-6 SU its last eight and 4-11 ATS its last 15 at the Verizon Center.
Bottom line: The Pistons are desperate and in this case I believe it will work in their favor; expect Washington to continue to digress without their "all-star" in the lineup.
Look for DETROIT to move to an awesome 7-1 ATS its last eight vs. Southeast division opponents and for Washington to fall to 2-8 ATS vs. Central division opponents and 3-9 ATS its last 12 after scoring 105 points or more!
Nick Parsons 1/12
Reply With Quote