Duel of the Duds – Nets vs. Pistons

I don’t feel sorry for either of these teams. I’ve slammed both Joe Dumars, for his trade of Chauncey for A.I., and Vince Carter equally. Ok, maybe I’ve taken out some unfiltered aggression on Carter but Dumars is at tremendous fault for the collapsing Pistons right now. Detroit is looking at its lowest playoff seeding in years, sitting seventh in the cluttered East.

I don’t blame Rasheed or the brave Rodney Stuckey who was thrust in to an impossible position. Stuckey has had to replace the legendary Allen Iverson since going down with an injury who had stepped in to replace one of the great point-guards playing today, Chauncey Billups. Responding admirably, Stuckey has averaged 10.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He will be solid at the point, but his time is not now.

NBA Betting Trends

-Detroit is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games

-Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road

-Detroit is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey

-Detroit is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing New Jersey

-New Jersey is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games

-New Jersey is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

-The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Jersey’s last 7 games

-New Jersey is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home

-New Jersey is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games

-The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Jersey’s last 7 games

New Jersey is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home

My main problem with Jersey is that they have a guy who could be one of the best players in the game, riding saddle with a guy who will be a top-5 point guard for years to come. One thing to note about Carter is the lack of change in body shape. Why is that important? Compared to Kobe and LeBron, Vince looks kind of flat. This is a guy who is a premier athlete, and he can’t get his ass in to the gym? Give me a break. You get PAID to do this sort of thing.

The game opened up as a pick ‘em, but oddsmakers across the bed immediately gave New Jersey -1.5 points suggesting that New Jersey at home is better than Detroit, just not be much. Considering how bad both teams have been straight up and against the line, I’d say this is stay away game.

Detroit Pistons (36-38) vs. New Jersey Nets (30-44)

Wednesday, April 1st — Izod Center, New Jersey — 7:30pm EST

NBA Betting Line: New Jersey -1.5 (186.5)

Detroit is heading south, while New Jersey is coming off one of the worst performances I have witnessed in a long time. A 107-78 loss to Milwaukee at home is inexcusable, and I say the Nets pick up their dresses and get to work tonight to prove their mettle against Detroit. Not that it matters. Both of these teams stink.

Furious Free Pick: New Jersey -1.5 (UNDER)