Pistons Stumble into Tough Weekend

The only good thing going for the Pistons right now is that February is the shortest month of the year. Detroit has slumped through the month, having gone 2-9, which includes losing their last eight games. Things don’t get much better for Detroit on the NBA betting schedule this weekend as they prepare to face powerhouses Orlando and Boston.

Detroit dropped their eighth straight on Wednesday after losing to New Orleans 90-87 as an 8.5-point underdog on the NBA odds. Richard Hamilton led Detroit with 24 points and Rasheed Wallace netted 16 points before getting tossed in the fourth quarter for a pair of technicals. Allen Iverson also exited early after re-aggravating a back strain. Wallace’s ejection was supposed to earn him a one-game suspension, but after having a few of his technicals from earlier in the season rescinded he will play Friday night against Orlando. However, Iverson could be out if his back doesn’t improve.

The Magic got past the Knicks on Wednesday night in a 114-109 win as 3-point favorites. Hedo Turkoglu scored a game-high 33 points, while Dwight Howard delivered another 20-20 with 24 points and 21 rebounds.

In their lone matchup this season the Pistons upset the Magic 88-82 as a 3.5-point home underdog in late December. Rodney Stuckey led Detroit in that win with 19 points, but don’t expect that to happen again on Friday as he’s only averaging 8.5 points per game in February.

From Orlando the Pistons head to Boston on Sunday for their fourth game this season against the Celtics. Boston hasn’t been the same with Kevin Garnett sidelined, and they showed it on Wednesday night after being upset by the Clippers 93-91 as 10-point favorites. Paul Pierce led Boston with 20 points, while Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo each had 17 points. By Sunday the Celtics roster is expected to look different with recent signee Mikki Moore ready to go and Stephon Marbury possibly set to play his first game as a member of the team.

In their three previous matchups this season Boston has won all three games. Their last matchup was on January 30 when Boston got past Detroit 86-78 as a 5.5-point road favorite. Garnett led Boston with 22 points, while Iverson had 19 points for Detroit.

Boston also knocked off Detroit 98-80 as a 6.5-point home favorite in November, and picked up an 88-76 win as a pick’em earlier in the season.