NBA Parlay – Resting Heat host Hungry Pistons

They were so close. An NBA Championship. Multiple appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals. One of the fiercest team defenses in NBA history. Some of the best team players in the game. Detroit had it all…until this year. The Pistons are hanging on to a first-round meeting with the Cavs in the NBA Playoffs, so gaining momentum tonight will be absolutely key.

As glamorous as their run at a dynasty was, the Pistons have been marred by turbulence. The Malice at the Palace brawl was hilariously tragic. Getting blown up in Game 5 by LeBron James completely changed the landscape of Tayshaun Prince’s career. Amongst other things, the boneheaded decision to trade away Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson destroyed any last change the Pistons had at being the best. It was a desperation move inspired by panic, and it backfired in the worst way.

That doesn’t mean that the Pistons are done.

NBA Betting Trends

-Detroit is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games

-Detroit is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road

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

-Detroit is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Miami

-Miami is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home

-Miami is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home

-The total has gone OVER in 9 of Miami’s last 12 games at home

-Miami is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Detroit

-The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Miami’s last 9 games when playing at home against Detroit

The Heat are resting virtually all their starters tonight, and though they’re a plucky bunch coming off the bench, the backups for Miami are nothing to scream about. Hell, resting Dwyane Wade alone makes me back away from the Heat overall. They may be 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games, but they had The Flash for those games. No Flash? No dice.

Detroit Pistons (39-42) vs. Miami Heat (42-39)

Wednesday, April 15th — AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami — 8:00pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Miami -1 (180.5)

The Pistons were once a great team. Like any great team, they begin to fade like the Roman Empire. But a flash of brilliance is on the horizon, and that is point-man Rodney Stuckey who has been borderline remarkable this season in assuming the responsibilities of running a team caught in a tailspin.

This Pistons team still has Rasheed Wallace, and his grit and tenacity is unrivaled in the NBA. His leadership, as well, is one of the unsung stories of the NBA. Without Sheed, the Pistons wouldn’t be fading from a potential dynasty. Instead, they’d be mulling in mediocrity. Look for Sheed to bolster the Pistons and pound on the Heat tonight in a smack down that will prove Detroit still has some pride left.

NBA Free Pick: Detroit (OVER)