PREMIUM
3-Game NBA SWEEPER PASS
(NBA) Charlotte vs. Detroit,
Total: 203.00 | -105.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 203.00 | -105.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Eastern Conference has been dominated by the Cavs since LBJ returned but the Celtics had hoped that they had closed the gap significantly by signing FA Gordon Hayward and then trading for Kyrie. However, Hayward could now be lost for the season with a fractured ankle in last night's opener at Cleveland. Toronto and Washington seem to be the "next in line" but after that, it seems wide open. Tonight, in the Pistons' brand-new Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit, the Pistons will host the Charlotte Hornets, as both non-postseason teams last spring look to 'join the party' here in the 2017-18 season.
Charlotte: The Hornets' major move in the off-season was to bring in former All-NBA center Dwight Howard to man the middle. Howard is expected to anchor a defense-focused front line that also includes forwards Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marvin Williams. Charlotte's team leader is All-Star PG Kemba Walker, who is coming off a 2016-17 campaign in which he averaged career highs of 23.2 PPG, 44.4 percent shooting from the floor and 39.9 percent shooting from three-point range. Walker will have to get used to a new starting backcourt mate with Nicolas Batum expected to miss six-to-eight weeks with an elbow injury. Jeremy Lamb will get first crack at the job while rookie Malik Monk comes off the bench. "[I'm] just trying to get ready," Lamb told the team's website. "An opportunity has come that I'm ready to take advantage of. Hopefully, Nic has a speedy recovery and we can get him back out there as soon as possible."
Detroit: The Pistons looked like playoff contenders at times in 2016-17 but were done in by injuries to PG Reggie Jackson and some growing pains from star center Andre Drummond. Jackson's season was a dud from the start, as he missed the first 21 games with left knee issues and ended up playing just 52 games and averaging 14.5 PPG on 41.9 percent shooting. He is owed $51.1 million over the next three seasons but did make it through training camp healthy and will not have any restrictions on his playing time.
The Pistons brought in SG Avery Bradley in a trade from Boston over the summer (he's a terrific perimeter defender) and will start him in the backcourt. Also, Drummond is being asked to be a bigger part of the offense. That's a role (coach) Stan (Van Gundy) kind of gave me a couple of weeks ago," Drummond told reporters. "He wanted to start running the offense through me because I'm able to move the ball and able to find an open guy and get them open shots. It takes their bigger guy away from the rim, too, when I do dribble hand-offs and gives me a chance to offensive rebound and attack."
The pick: The Pistons were 37-45 last season and the Hornets, 36-46. However, the Pistons won three of the four meetings, including both played in Detroit. This marks the Pistons' first regular-season game at Little Caesars Arena, as the Pistons had called The Palace of Auburn Hills home since 1988. Look for Detroit to open with a bang at the team's new home. The Pistons scored 112, 115 and 114 points in last year's three wins over the Hornets and this over/under is too low. Make the Over an 8* play.
Charlotte: The Hornets' major move in the off-season was to bring in former All-NBA center Dwight Howard to man the middle. Howard is expected to anchor a defense-focused front line that also includes forwards Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marvin Williams. Charlotte's team leader is All-Star PG Kemba Walker, who is coming off a 2016-17 campaign in which he averaged career highs of 23.2 PPG, 44.4 percent shooting from the floor and 39.9 percent shooting from three-point range. Walker will have to get used to a new starting backcourt mate with Nicolas Batum expected to miss six-to-eight weeks with an elbow injury. Jeremy Lamb will get first crack at the job while rookie Malik Monk comes off the bench. "[I'm] just trying to get ready," Lamb told the team's website. "An opportunity has come that I'm ready to take advantage of. Hopefully, Nic has a speedy recovery and we can get him back out there as soon as possible."
Detroit: The Pistons looked like playoff contenders at times in 2016-17 but were done in by injuries to PG Reggie Jackson and some growing pains from star center Andre Drummond. Jackson's season was a dud from the start, as he missed the first 21 games with left knee issues and ended up playing just 52 games and averaging 14.5 PPG on 41.9 percent shooting. He is owed $51.1 million over the next three seasons but did make it through training camp healthy and will not have any restrictions on his playing time.
The Pistons brought in SG Avery Bradley in a trade from Boston over the summer (he's a terrific perimeter defender) and will start him in the backcourt. Also, Drummond is being asked to be a bigger part of the offense. That's a role (coach) Stan (Van Gundy) kind of gave me a couple of weeks ago," Drummond told reporters. "He wanted to start running the offense through me because I'm able to move the ball and able to find an open guy and get them open shots. It takes their bigger guy away from the rim, too, when I do dribble hand-offs and gives me a chance to offensive rebound and attack."
The pick: The Pistons were 37-45 last season and the Hornets, 36-46. However, the Pistons won three of the four meetings, including both played in Detroit. This marks the Pistons' first regular-season game at Little Caesars Arena, as the Pistons had called The Palace of Auburn Hills home since 1988. Look for Detroit to open with a bang at the team's new home. The Pistons scored 112, 115 and 114 points in last year's three wins over the Hornets and this over/under is too low. Make the Over an 8* play.
