While the Detroit Pistons are no longer one of the more popular teams in the NBA anymore, they still can provide us with some valuable betting options the rest of the season.
The Pistons have 20 games left to prove to the city of Detroit, their fans and potential owners that they are worth remaining as an NBA franchise. I know what you're asking yourself — "Wait, the Pistons might move?" Well, to answer that question we'll have to wait awhile, I'm told.
I don't believe there is a large portion of NBA owners and brass that want a team moved out of Detroit, but there are talks of the NBA wanting teams in other markets.
Obviously, the Pistons come into this equation because they currently are looking to be sold. If the right man (or woman, sorry Tara), comes along and wants to move this team, it will be an interesting story.
I'm being told by people close to the team that they won't be going anywhere. Yet, the WNBA moved the 3-time champion Detroit Shock to freaking Toledo, so who knows.
One thing I do know is that the Pistons will give us some BETTING VALUE moving forward this season. They're 3-2 ATS in their last five games but the remainder of their 20 games this season are against very good competition. The Pistons will be underdogs, presumably, in at least 14 of their last 20 games. They've got two more against Indiana, two against Cleveland and still have to play San Antonio, Denver, Oklahoma City and Chicago.
Richard Hamilton has returned to the lineup and these guys have to chance the perception of what has become the 2010-11 Detroit Pistons. You know, they guys that backed out on their coach (ALLEGEDLY) and missed practice last week. If what I'm hearing is correct, don't believe the reports that everyone was excused.
IF this team decides to get it together, they have the talent to win a good amount of games down the stretch and will give us some VALUE against the number. The thing that is certain is these guys are all playing for their jobs. In the middle of waiting to see if the team will be sold, the Piston players are going to be a different team the final 20 games. We're hoping we can bank on them beating the number down the stretch, even if they can't win games.
We'll start Sunday as the Pistons host the Washington Wizards. Detroit beat John Wall's team waaaaay back in November, 115-110, in OT. Based on the information provided to us, we'll be able to see which way the Pistons are headed from Sunday's game. Will they be packing it in for the rest of the season or giving us a team that we can look for in the value portion of betting?
Handicapping thoughts on other NBA Teams:
Indiana — team making serious push for higher seed in the East.
Phoenix — veteran guys on the squad that want to play in post season.
Houston — just something about this team that I like. Imagine if they had Yao.
New York Knicks — obviously going to be overvalued due to public, but they can make noise in East.
Related reading: Update on the Kings leaving Sacramento [Sacramento Bee]
Comment . . .
What teams are you looking to follow and fade in the NBA?