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The Detroit Pistons are a rare home dog as they get ready to host the defending champion Boston Celtics tonight. NBA betting on the Pistons was available at Sportsbook.com.
Detroit is six-point underdogs the opener for Friday's ESPN doubleheader which starts at 7 pm ET. The Pistons have only gotten points two other times this year, and each was 3.5 points or less.
Detroit is 25-19 (19-25 ATS) and has won just three times in their last 10 games, but they are always get up to play their archrival Boston, especially in Motown.
However, NBA sports bettors have doubts when looking at Detroit's home record, which shows a pedestrian 13-9 mark and just 7-15 against the spread. The Pistons have outscored their opponents by less than a point (0.8) at The Palace at Auburn Hills and are 1-5 ATS in their last six home tilts.
Boston (38-9, 27-20 ATS) is back on track, seeking a 10th straight victory. Since losing seven of nine after an unprecedented great start, the Celtics have won nine in a row (8-1 ATS) by an average of 16.5 points per game. They are 45-26 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last two seasons.
The Celtics are brimming with confidence, having beaten Dallas by 24 points and Sacramento by 19, shooting over 54% and scoring a total of 243 points. They are 20-11 ATS after two or more consecutive wins this season and 30-11 ATS after a game where they made 12 or more three-point shots.
Note that since Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce in Boston, the Celtics are 8-3 straight-up and ATS over Detroit, including beating them in six games in the playoffs last spring.
Detroit doesn't have the firepower to play in a high scoring affair. With the Total set at 180 by the oddsmakers, this would suggest Detroit should at least have a chance to cover the spread since they are 9-1 Under revenging a loss versus an opponent.
Of course, Boston has no problem playing this style and is 10-2 Under in road games after playing a home game this season.
StatFox Power Line - Boston by 11
Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
