SAN ANTONIO SPURS @ DETROIT PISTONS
Basketball : North America : NBA
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012, 7:30PM US
(12:30AM GMT)

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TEAM STATS

SAN ANTONIO - Total 19-9 :: Home 13-1 :: Road 6-8 :: Streak - W7
DETROIT ------- Total 8-21 :: Home 6-9 :: Road 2-12 :: Streak L1

PREVIEW

Just looking at those overall win-loss records shown above, you would think the Spurs are the play, especially since they have now reeled off 7 wins on the trot.

But look further, for as bad as Detroit have been, the Piston are now winners of 4 of their last 5 matches. We're going to bet on the ATS, and there too, Detroit have been reliable recently, covering 5 of their last 6 games on the spread.

San Antonio are facing Detroit at home as massive favourites, and the number looks to big for me. The Spurs are on a 9 game road trip and they will likely just be happy to get the win and move on.

Keeping their streak is important to the Spurs, not exhausting themselves trying to cover a betting spread that means nothing to the players and staff.

A big reason for my line of thinking about this game is the fact that the Spurs have to travel and play Toronto tomorrow. Even if San Antonio are ahead by bucket-loads, we will likely see them bench starters to prepare for tomorrow by giving them rest.

It just makes no sense for the Spurs to go for a blowout when you have a tough game on the next night.

One of the best teams in the NBA are the Heat, whom I have opposed the last 2 nights and lost. That very Miami Heat side came here and managed just a 3 point win against Detroit.

Portland, another tough side came here and lost. San Antonio are getting way too many points here as Detroit are not getting much respect for their efforts.

BETTING VERDICT

I'll take the home team to fight hard trying for the scalp of a surging side, only to come up short by a tiny bit. Detroit and the points.

The Pick :

Detroit Pistons +9

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take the Detroit Pistons +9 @ 1.95 (Pinnacle)