Golden State Warriors vs. Detroit Pistons Betting Preview
Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills — Detroit, MI
When: Friday, December 23, 2016 – 7:30 PM ET
Line: Golden State Warriors (-6.5) at Detroit Pistons (+6.5); total: 212.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast:
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Betting on the Golden State Warriors (-6.5)
Even without emotional leader Draymond Green, the Warriors earned a lopsided win. Thursday night, they erased a 16-point deficit in the second half and recorded a 117-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. The Dubs are now 26-4.
Green will likely return in the upcoming game and will look to help power the team into their seventh straight W. The “super team” are bringing-in league-leading averages of 117.4 points and 31.3 assists per game, along with being second in offensive and defensive ratings.
The Warriors could have tough matchups inside and out. Down low, they will have to contain rebounding machine Andre Drummond (13.6 RPG – second in the league), while outside, they are going up against a Pistons defense that allows the second-fewest threes per game (8.1).
Still, there is zero doubt that Stephen Curry (24.7 PPG), Klay Thompson (21.7 PPG), and Kevin Durant (25.7 PPG), will have their own fair share of buckets.
In the current six-game winning streak, the Warriors are only 3-3 ATS.
Betting on the Detroit Pistons (+6.5)
The Pistons are one of the handful of Eastern Conference teams that are underachieving this season. They were projected to be good contenders coming in, but after 31 games, they only see themselves 11th in the conference with a 14-17 record, while also being in a four-game skid.
A lot of stat rankings have went down from last year, including points (19th to 28th), rebounds (second to 16th), and threes made (10th to 29th). Additionally, they also went from 13th to 21st in offensive ratings. The best trait of the Pistons is their third-ranked defense and that they have six guys averaging double digits.
Reggie Jackson’s return from a knee injury has not given much boost – some would even argue that it’s derailing them. His limited playing time, one that has him playing less than 26 minutes per game, could be affecting his rhythm, but his Per 36 numbers also list him averaging less numbers from last year. He’s also just shooting 39-percent from the field – the second-lowest in his career.
Jackson had some soreness in his knee in their previous game, and he’s listed as a game-time decision for Friday.
Should the PG be unavailable, the Pistons will again need guys like Tobias Harris (15.6 PPG) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (14.2 PPG) to provide scoring from the perimeter. Paint monster Andre Drummond (14.2 PPG, 13.6 RPG), meanwhile, may have a good matchup against the Warriors’ front court.
Keep in mind that this Pistons core was one of only nine teams to beat the Warriors in the regular season last year.
Detroit is 8-6 SU and ATS at home this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Dubs (-6.5) win, 115-100.
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