NBA Pick #3: 805 Washington Wizards @ 806 Detroit Pistons
Rating: 4 units - Regular Play
Pick: Under 208.5 (Play up to 207)
Odds: -105 / 1.95 on Pinnacle Sports OR -110 / 1.91 on 5Dimes
Washington has been lately using the strange approach of wanting to play super fast in order to try to outscore their opponents. They are averaging 111.3 points per game on their last 10 games, but they have been turnover prone and they've been lacking energy on defense. In the same span of games, they've been allowing 110.2 points per game, including 133 points at Charlotte on their last game, which made their coach explode.
“It’s unacceptable the way we competed,” Scott Brooks said after the loss. “We’re going to have change some things and make sure we’re all going to compete. If not, we’re going to have to find guys who are going to compete.
"They were making every shot. We didn’t make them feel us. We didn’t put pressure on guys,” John Wall said after the game. “They were basically running dummy offense and getting whatever they wanted and being the more aggressive team, so that’s why they scored so high.”
Washington’s lack of aggression was most evident in the paint. Dwight Howard posted 18 points and 15 rebounds in just 29 minutes for the Hornets. On the other side, Markieff Morrisand Marcin Gortat combined for two points and six fouls. To add insult to injury, Dwight Howard clowned the team after making a pair of technical free throws in the fourth quarter.
For today, I expect Washington to come focused on defense. Detroit, on the other hand, had a great game plan at Toronto in trapping the ball in their ball handlers DeRozan and Lowry, forcing the Raptors to commit 21 turnovers. Having in account the Wizards have Beal and Wall, I expect the same gameplan for tonight, which will put Washington's offense in trouble. Given all of these factors, I'll be taking the Under in here.