NBA - Detroit Pistons v NJ Nets

6 February 2010

Preview By Tipster Jumbo (New Zealand)

Neither side is going well here with the Pistons winning one from their last 5 while the Nets remain win less in their last 5 matches….Someones got to win and these two sides played only a couple of days ago back in New Jersey in what was a very close game…

The Pistons haven’t won at the Palace for almost 3 weeks but they could get a win tonight because the Pistons beat the Nets only 2 games ago, the win itself was good as they allowed a lot in the beginning and then ran then down taking the lead towards the end and then never giving it back, But then they backed that up by losing to the Pacers and had a terrible shooting night hitting from the field at an abysmal 39% from the field, they were really never in that game last night and will probably be looking forward to returning home to the palace to face a team they have just beaten, Detroit have the best that they can muster back in action now and with that game yesterday they have all now been back as a team and so their scoring should improve, it hasn’t been that bad anyway just not good or accurate enough but with Rip, Gordon, Stucky and Villuenuea back on the floor for them it can only get better now can’t it?

The Nets are still losing and since that loss to this Pistons side have gone onto lose their next two, but both games they were in and both games they played well, the Nets have lost since playing the Pistons to the Raptors99-108 and Celtics 96-87 but they have held leads in all of their last 3 games including the one against the Pistons right up until early in the 4th quarter of each of those games, Having Harris back in for the Nets is helping and since the Pistons game Harris is averaging 18 points and 10 assists, as well as having 24 and 14 assists in Tuesday’s loss to Detroit. He had 17 points and eight assists yesterday against the Celtics and the Nets last night as a team shot 63.3 percent in the first half but finished shooting 46%, however the Nets have remained consistent at least averaging in the mid 40% range for the past 5 games, There are not to many other bright spots for the Nets but again as mentioned before Lopez is making a real difference on the court for the Nets he had 27 points and seven rebounds Tuesday against the Pistons, and is averaging 21ppg and 8. boards respectively, in his last four games in this match up.

The Pistons are 8-2 in their last 10 against the Nets and are 6-4 ATS in those most recent matches, In Detroit and these sides have played 5 of those 10 matches there with the Pistons winning all 5 and are 3-2 ATS in those matches, Total wise and 8 of the last 10 have been over the set total with the 5 matches in Detroit also being 4-1 on the overs.

The Pistons have scored 83 or more in 4 of their last 5 matches and have scored 93 or more in 2 of their last 5, they have allowed 91 or more in their last 5 games also, The Nets on the other hand have scored 93 or more in 2 of their last 3 matches but have allowed 96 or more in those games.

I like the Pistons and I hope that they can win this match but even with a great record against the Nets I really think the Total is better than the actual win even though I think that will happen, that game these sides played a coupe of days ago was one that the Nets really let slip as they held a great first quarter lead and watched it evaporate losing by the 4th quarter, again they did that against the Raptors gaining a lead and losing the match and they did that last night against the Celtics as well, it has got to be getting to them and I think they could easily turn the tables on this Pistons side based on what either side has shown since their last match.

The Nets can play but cannot hold a lead while last night the Pistons were down by as many as 31 in the 4th Quarter against the Pacers, Either way I fancy the Nets to be right in this game and drive it from the outset and in doing so the Pistons will have to come with them, either way I like the chances of this match going over…..Good Luck. It wouldn't surprise me if these numbers dropped by Tip off either...