New Orleans Hornets AT Detroit Pistons
Sunday, December 19th, 2010 at 6:00 PM EST
Current Line: New Orleans -4.5
Current Total: 184
Moneyline: New Orleans -200 / Detroit 170
New Orleans enters tonights game having won their past two, against Utah and Sacramento. The last time out against Utah, they punished the Jazz, winning by 29 at home where they are an impressive 11-3.
Detroit got blown out by the horrible Clippers last game, losing by 21. Charlie Villanueva said following the game, “This one hits home. We knew what was at stake and we laid an egg. We embarassed ourselves out there.” What he was referring to, of course, was the fact that the game marked the first Clipper road win of the year. They are truly in a tailspin and have lost 8 of their past 10 games, dropping them to 8-19, well out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Detroit has a -5.9 point differential, scoring only 94.4 points a game and giving up 100.4. They are the worst rebounding team in the league and have the third lowest field goal percentage, so the numbers do tell the story.
Some betting trends: The total has gone UNDER in all five of New Orleans’ last 5 games. They are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 and the total has gone UNDER in their last five road games, as well. The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Orleans’ last 5 games in Detroit.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Detroit’s last 8 home games, and Detroit has won just 2 of their past 6 home games. They have won 5 of their past 7 games at home against New Orleans, though.
Some key matchups for tonight’s game:
Chris Paul vs. Rodney Stuckey
Rodney Stuckey is one of the few Piston players having a decent year. He is averaging 16.5 points per game and 5.5 assists per game and has the body frame to body up Chris Paul and outmuscle him. Stuckey is 6’5″ 205 while Chris Paul is a mere 6’0″ 175. Historically, Paul has faired well in his career against Detroit, though, averaging 17.4 points per game and 11.6 assists a night, so he does have success offensively against Stuckey. The challenge will be on the defensive end if Detroit chooses to post Chris Paul up. While Chris Paul is relatively strong, giving up 5″ to Stuckey could result in the Piston point guard getting some good and easy shots down low.
David West vs. Greg Monroe & Charlie Villanueva
David West could be in for a big game tonight. Monroe is a rookie and Villanueva is a horrible defender. West should be able to have his way with both of them, scoring on both jumpshots and post up opportunities. While Villanueva will challenge West on the offensive end, he isn’t particuarly dominant per say, and West should be able to contain him. This matchup will be a determining one for the game, as West going off for a big night will spell trouble for the Pistons.
Despite NBA oddsmakers setting the line relatively close on this one, all the matchups are in New Orleans’ favor and Detroit isn’t particuarly great at home (6-7). With mostly pride on the line, the Pistons will attempt to redeem themselves from the embarassing loss to the Clippers last game.
