Detroit never dreamed it would have to travel to Philadelphia for a Game 6 before this best-of-seven battle started. Turns out, the Pistons have to be thrilled to arrive in the City of Brotherly Love with a 3-2 advantage.

You see, Flip Saunders’ team was staring at a 3-1 deficit when it went to intermission of Game 4 trailing the 76ers by a 46-36 count. The Pistons had been hammered by Mo Cheeks’ club in Game 3, and Game 4 wasn’t looking any different.

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Alas, Detroit (62-25 straight up, 48-38 against the spread) flipped the switch ‘on’ and it’s been all Pistons ever since. They erased the double-digit deficit within a few minutes of starting the third quarter, eventually capturing a 93-84 win as 5 ½-point road favorites.

Gamblers backing Detroit in the second half of Game 4 were loving life, as it easily took the cash as a 5 ½-point favorite. In that scenario, the Pistons were actually the 4 ½-point underdogs (for the game) since they already trailed by 10 at halftime.

Next, Detroit returned to the Palace of Auburn Hills and dealt out woodshed treatment. The Pistons won a 98-81 decision as 9 ½-point home ‘chalk.’ The 179 combined points barely slipped ‘over’ the 178 ½-point total.

Rasheed Wallace set the tone in Game 5, draining 8-of-12 shot attempts en route to a 19-point effort. In addition, Wallace pulled down six rebounds, swatted away six shots and dished out three assists. Chauncey Billups scored 21 points and handed out 12 assists.

Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened the Pistons as five-point road favorites for Game 6. The total started at 179. As of this afternoon, most spots had Detroit at 5 1/2 with the total shifted to 178 1/2. Bettors can take the 76ers to win outright for a plus 200 return (risk $100 to win $200).

Philadelphia (42-45 SU, 45-39 ATS) owns a 23-20 SU record to go with a 21-20-2 ATS mark at home. The ‘under’ is 25-18 for the 76ers in their home outings.

Meanwhile, Detroit is 26-17 SU on the road but just 20-22 versus the number. The ‘under’ is 48-38 overall for the Pistons, 23-20 in their road games.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. Eastern tonight on TNT.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

--I thought it was a great no-call on LeBron James’ miss at the buzzer last night. I have to give props to the Wizards for going on the road and winning an elimination game. On the other hand, thumbs down to the Cavs for blowing a five-point lead at home in the last two minutes. They had a great chance to get some rest while Boston slugs it out with Atlanta.

--When Joe Johnson picked up his second foul at the 4:28 mark of the first quarter, you knew it was going to be a long night for the Hawks. Atlanta trailed 15-12 when Johnson went to the bench, but it trailed 41-28 upon his return with 7:03 remaining in the second quarter. Boston eventually won a 110-85 decision as a 14 ½-point favorite.

--Mike Bibby had one assist and three turnovers in Game 5. In the three games at Boston, he has three total assists.

--I say Utah and Boston are going to get all they want in their respective Game 6’s.

--New Orleans is a 3 ½-point home favorite for Saturday’s Game 1 against San Antonio. The Spurs are an attractive plus 145 on the money line.

Brian Edwards can be reached at briane@vegasinsider.com.