Playing this one early, in case the line will move.
Action Play:
Detroit Pistons -7
Despite being an above average defensive sqaud, the Bobcats are owners of the 2nd worst record in the East, and their inept offense is largely to blame. Gerald Wallace, is the only real threat the Bobcats possess on offense, and even he, in effect, becomes limited as a result of the attention he draws from opposing defenses. Bobcats come into tonight's game, the lowest scoring team in the NBA, at 91.4 ppg. Losing the rookie PG, D.J. Augustine, to injury over the weekend, can only worsen the situation on offense, as he provides them with a spark, both, with the points he provides, and with his ability to stretch a defense with his quick dribbling and speed. Considering their circumstances, the last thing the Bobcats need, is a travel to Detroit, to play a solid, well rested, defensive minded team, in the Pistons. The Pistons may not be the defensive team of yesteryears, but, they are still, one of the better defensive teams this league has to offer. Something, that does not bode well for a struggling Bobcat offense. With Rasheed Wallace back in the lineup, and with Rodney Stuckey playing at such a high level, the Piston's should have no problem scoring enough points to cover this number, even if Rip doesn't play. If he does play, it will only help the cause. In what should be a defensive game, turnovers might also come into play, a department where the Bobcats lead the Pistons by more than 3 turnovers per contest. I mention that only to highlight Charlotte's tendency to turn the ball over, more so than to suggest any real number difference per game. That's also just one of the many, departments the Piston's have an edge in. Others include rebounding, a better back-court, a better front-court, play better team defense, have a greater variety of options to go to on offense, and the list goes on. Even though, 7, is a difficult spread to cover, I think the Piston's manage, comfortably. Will most likely upgrade the play, to investment, if it passes a few more tests. Few things that worry me a bit are, the .500 ball Charlotte has played of late, and the Piston's tendency to play down to their level of competition. But, this being the Piston's 1st game at the Palace, since the beginning of a 4 game road trip that started early January, I think they come out strong, in front of their home crowd. Will also be looking to play the Pistons, in the 1st half, once a line becomes available to me.
GL as always!
Z
Action Play:
Detroit Pistons -7
Despite being an above average defensive sqaud, the Bobcats are owners of the 2nd worst record in the East, and their inept offense is largely to blame. Gerald Wallace, is the only real threat the Bobcats possess on offense, and even he, in effect, becomes limited as a result of the attention he draws from opposing defenses. Bobcats come into tonight's game, the lowest scoring team in the NBA, at 91.4 ppg. Losing the rookie PG, D.J. Augustine, to injury over the weekend, can only worsen the situation on offense, as he provides them with a spark, both, with the points he provides, and with his ability to stretch a defense with his quick dribbling and speed. Considering their circumstances, the last thing the Bobcats need, is a travel to Detroit, to play a solid, well rested, defensive minded team, in the Pistons. The Pistons may not be the defensive team of yesteryears, but, they are still, one of the better defensive teams this league has to offer. Something, that does not bode well for a struggling Bobcat offense. With Rasheed Wallace back in the lineup, and with Rodney Stuckey playing at such a high level, the Piston's should have no problem scoring enough points to cover this number, even if Rip doesn't play. If he does play, it will only help the cause. In what should be a defensive game, turnovers might also come into play, a department where the Bobcats lead the Pistons by more than 3 turnovers per contest. I mention that only to highlight Charlotte's tendency to turn the ball over, more so than to suggest any real number difference per game. That's also just one of the many, departments the Piston's have an edge in. Others include rebounding, a better back-court, a better front-court, play better team defense, have a greater variety of options to go to on offense, and the list goes on. Even though, 7, is a difficult spread to cover, I think the Piston's manage, comfortably. Will most likely upgrade the play, to investment, if it passes a few more tests. Few things that worry me a bit are, the .500 ball Charlotte has played of late, and the Piston's tendency to play down to their level of competition. But, this being the Piston's 1st game at the Palace, since the beginning of a 4 game road trip that started early January, I think they come out strong, in front of their home crowd. Will also be looking to play the Pistons, in the 1st half, once a line becomes available to me.
GL as always!
Z
