**No. 1 Boston vs. No. 2 Detroit**
Series Price: Boston -135, Detroit +115
Series Format: 2-2-1-1-1
| Head to Head Comparisons |
| Team |
SU |
ATS |
Home |
Away |
O/U |
PPG |
DPPG |
 |
74-22 |
56-37 |
43-6 |
31-16 |
43-51 |
100.6 |
90.3 |
 |
67-26 |
53-39 |
39-8 |
28-18 |
41-50 |
97.5 |
90.1 | |
| 2007-08 Head to Head Meetings |
| Dec. 19, 2007 |
Detroit (+6) 87 at Boston 85 |
UNDER 182.5 |
| Jan. 5, 2008 |
Boston (+2.5) 92 at Detroit 85 |
UNDER 181.5 |
| Mar. 5, 2008 |
Boston (-4.5) 90 vs. Detroit 78 |
UNDER 183 | |
How they got here: These teams took distinctly different routes to the East finals. Detroit, which is in the NBA’s version of the Final Four for the sixth consecutive season, took out the 76ers in six games before disposing of the Magic in five.
As for the Celtics, they are still in search of their first road win in the post-season. Boston is 8-0 at home and 0-6 on the road, needing seven games to get past both Atlanta and Cleveland.
Paul Pierce scored 41 points to spark the Celtics to a 97-92 win over the Cavs in Game 7. However, the C’s failed to cover the number as eight-point home favorites.
With Game 1 set for Tuesday, Boston will have only one day to prep for the Pistons. On the other hand, Detroit hasn’t played since polishing off Orlando on May 13.
Gambling Notes: Both teams have demonstrated a propensity for producing ‘unders.’ The ‘under’ is 52-40 overall for Detroit, 52-43 for Boston. The ‘under’ has been especially prevalent for the two teams at home, cashing at a 28-20 clip for the Celtics and a 27-19 rate for the Pistons.
Detroit owns a 30-17 spread record at home, while Boston is 30-18 ATS at home. Although the Celtics are an abysmal 0-6 both SU and ATS on the road in the playoffs, they are 27-19 ATS on the road.
Outlook: Before the playoffs started, my pick to win it all was Boston. With that said, I can’t overlook the Celtics’ recent futility on the road.
By the same token, we’ve seen an extremely focused Detroit squad since intermission of Game 4 at Philadelphia in the first round. The Pistons have been money since then, taking the cash in every game with the exception of Game 3 at Orlando. They even overcame the absence of Chauncey Billups (hamstring; probable for Game 1) in Games 3-5 against the Magic.
Therefore, I like the Pistons to take this series in six games.
Future Advice: Obviously, as I just stated, Detroit is the play here, catching “plus” money. Even if the odds shift to make it an even-money selection, I’m still high on the Pistons. If you can find a book with odds on a specific game, take the Pistons to win in six, as I believe they’ll steal one of the first two games in Boston and hold serve at home.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
--The ‘under’ is 7-1 in the last eight head-to-head meetings between the Celtics and Pistons.
--The ‘under’ is on a 10-2 run for Detroit in its last 12 road games.
--Boston is 11-3 ATS in its last 14 home games.
--In the second round, favorites won 22 of 25 games and cashed tickets at a 16-8-1 clip.
--I like the Spurs to take out the Lakers in six games. Yes, another Spurs-Pistons finals awaits.
--I can’t wait to see these matchups:
1-KG vs. ‘Sheed
2-Bowen/Ginobili vs. Kobe Bryant
3-Paul Pierce vs. Tayshaun Prince
4-Pau Gasol vs. Tim Duncan
5-Chauncey BIllups vs. Rajon Rondo
Brian Edwards can be reached at briane@vegasinsider.com.
