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Detroit +4 over MINNESOTA
The Minnesota Timberwolves can set a club record with their 13th straight home when they host the Detroit Pistons tonight, but it won't come easy. Minnesota has not lost a home game since a 107-95 setback to Utah on January 4, and has won 17 of their last 23 overall since. Minnesota has won six of its last seven games, including Wednesday's 85-77 victory at Denver. Meanwhile, Detroit leads the league in scoring defense at 85.4 points per game and is on track to lead the league in that category for the first time since 1991-92. The Pistons have now won nine of 10 games and have taken a one-game lead over Indiana in the Central Division and a one-game edge over New Jersey for first place in the Eastern Conference.
Coming of an 89-84 win at Toronto on Wednesday the Pistons should be in great shape here. Former Timberwolve guard Chauncey Billups finished with 18 points and hit a jumper and a 3-pointer in the final 98 seconds. He is certainly looking forward to this re-match with his former team. He scored 21 points in the Pistons' 106-82 rout of Minnesota back on December 28. Detroit is a terrific road team as demonstrated by their various road marks. They are 12-3 ATS on the road with the "totals" line less than 190 points, 13-3 ATS as a road underdog vs. opponents playing with revenge for a road loss, and an amazing 8-0 SU/ATS on the road with a home game the following day, smashing the spread by an average of 13 points a game!
The Timberwolves are due for less-than-stellar outing here, as we have watched their FG% drop in each of their last 4 games. After such a run, they are 0-4 ATS, losing to the spread by 8 points a game on average. This should be a rugged battle that is decided in the final moments.
PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: MINNESOTA 92 DETROIT 91
The Minnesota Timberwolves can set a club record with their 13th straight home when they host the Detroit Pistons tonight, but it won't come easy. Minnesota has not lost a home game since a 107-95 setback to Utah on January 4, and has won 17 of their last 23 overall since. Minnesota has won six of its last seven games, including Wednesday's 85-77 victory at Denver. Meanwhile, Detroit leads the league in scoring defense at 85.4 points per game and is on track to lead the league in that category for the first time since 1991-92. The Pistons have now won nine of 10 games and have taken a one-game lead over Indiana in the Central Division and a one-game edge over New Jersey for first place in the Eastern Conference.
Coming of an 89-84 win at Toronto on Wednesday the Pistons should be in great shape here. Former Timberwolve guard Chauncey Billups finished with 18 points and hit a jumper and a 3-pointer in the final 98 seconds. He is certainly looking forward to this re-match with his former team. He scored 21 points in the Pistons' 106-82 rout of Minnesota back on December 28. Detroit is a terrific road team as demonstrated by their various road marks. They are 12-3 ATS on the road with the "totals" line less than 190 points, 13-3 ATS as a road underdog vs. opponents playing with revenge for a road loss, and an amazing 8-0 SU/ATS on the road with a home game the following day, smashing the spread by an average of 13 points a game!
The Timberwolves are due for less-than-stellar outing here, as we have watched their FG% drop in each of their last 4 games. After such a run, they are 0-4 ATS, losing to the spread by 8 points a game on average. This should be a rugged battle that is decided in the final moments.
PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: MINNESOTA 92 DETROIT 91