Charlotte Hornets vs. Detroit Pistons Preview
Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills
When: Friday, January 5, 2017, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Charlotte Hornets (+4) vs. Detroit Pistons (-4); total: 205.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
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Betting on the Charlotte Hornets (+4)
After taking care of the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 123-112 home win Wednesday night, the Hornets kick off a five-game road trip later tonight in Auburn Hills. It is the third meeting this season between the two teams with Hornets tying the series with one win apiece thanks to an 87-77 victory over the Pistons back in December 7.
The Hornets are hoping Kemba Walker can continue his stellar play against Detroit. Walker has scored at least 20 points in seven of his previous eight contests, including 20 against the Thunder. In two meetings so far this season with Detroit, Walker has averaged 24.0 points on 47.4 percent shooting from the field.
Walker and Nicolas Batum should find lots of scoring opportunities against Detroit’s defense that has surrendered at least 119 points in four of its last 10 games. In the OKC game, Batum dropped a season-high 28 points while going 13-for-15 from the foul line.
Charlotte is 6-4 ATS in its last 10 games in Auburn Hills dating back to 2011.
Betting on the Detroit Pistons (-4)
If only the Pistons were playing sound defense, there would be no need for Stan Van Gundy sideline histrionics like this. As mentioned earlier, the Pistons have been punching bags on the defensive end of the floor lately, allowing opponents to score 109.0 points on 50.6% shooting from the floor in the last 10 games—the latter figure is the highest among all teams during the same stretch.
Charlotte, however, is also having issues on defense that Detroit could take advantage of. In fact, the Hornets have given up 117.0 points in their past three games.
Although Detroit is just averaging just 99.2 PPG this season, the Pistons still have lethal scorers who can surely light up the scoreboard when opposed by such a weak defense. Tobias Harris tops the Pistons in scoring with 19.0 PPG, while big man Andre Drummond is right behind Harris with 14.5 PPG.
Harris produced 24 points on 9-for-12 shooting in the Pistons’ 112-89 triumph over Charlotte on the road back in November 29. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, meanwhile, stuffed the stat sheet in that game with 18 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
The over is 3-1 in Detroit’s last four home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Detroit (-4) wins, 110-105.
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