Steve Merril
NBA
(3% play) DETROIT +11 (at San Antonio) - 8:05 pm ET (time-change) (ESPN) #717
Detroit lost their first two games after the All-Star break, but since then, the Pistons have gone a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS. Detroit won at Cleveland, and they also beat Toronto at home, so they’ve played good competition as well. The Pistons acquired Tobias Harris at the trade deadline, and since being inserted into the starting lineup, Detroit’s offense has come alive. “We’ve been much better sharing the ball,” Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said. “What it does, is that when the ball is moving, you create good feelings, energy and guys want to play.” The players feel the same way: “It just shows the team chemistry is coming along,” said Tobias Harris. “Everybody’s looking for each other and playing off each other. I think the biggest thing is what we say when we’re gathering is ‘Family on three,’ and guys are praying like a family.” Detroit has scored 327 points in their last three games, so they are in excellent current form.
San Antonio’s incredible season has continued since the All-Star break; the Spurs are 5-1 SU with all of those games coming on the road. But tonight presents a poor situational and scheduling spot for San Antonio. The Spurs will play their first home game since February 6th, and it will be just their second home game in a month. San Antonio goes on their annual ‘Rodeo Trip’ each season, but the first game back is often difficult and challenging. The Spurs have been off for the last three days as well, and extra rest has not been good for this veteran team this season. San Antonio is just 1-2 SU and ATS with 3 days of rest or more this season. Detroit is playing San Antonio at the perfect time, so we’ll take the Pistons plus the big points in this game on Wednesday night.
Play PISTONS (+) as a 3% play.
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NCAA Basketball
(3% play) MISSISSIPPI -4.5 (vs. Mississippi State) - 7:00 pm ET (SECN) #740
Mississippi State comes into tonight’s game at in-state rival Mississippi with a losing 13-15 SU record; 9 of their wins have come on their home court. Mississippi State is 2-8 SU in true road games with those eight losses coming by an average of -9.4 points per game. Four of their eight losses have come by double digits, so the Bulldogs have not been too competitive in their away games. Mississippi State is in a terrible situational spot for this game. The Bulldogs went into their last game off three consecutive close games; they beat Vanderbilt by 1 point, they won at Alabama by 6 points, and they lost at Texas A&M by 2 points. They finally put everything together in their last game when they beat South Carolina 68-58 at home. Now they must hit the road where their defense is giving up 76.8 points per game on 46.7% shooting from the field and 36% shooting from the field.
Mississippi returns home off a blowout road loss at Georgia on Saturday. We won a Best Bet selection against the Rebels in that game, so their loss was expected, and it can be easily dismissed. Mississippi has played three of their last four games on the road, and with tonight being the last home game for three starting seniors, we expect a peak performance. The Rebels are 11-2 SU at home on the season. Mississippi’s offense has been outstanding at home where they are averaging 79.9 points per game. The Rebels lost at Mississippi State earlier this season, but they only lost that game by 6 points despite the Bulldogs shooting 51.9% from the field, 50% from three-point land, and 88.2% from the free throw line. Mississippi is in a terrific spot for a big bounce-back win, so we’ll lay the points with the Rebels in this home game on Wednesday night.
Play MISSISSIPPI (-) as a 3% play.
