NBA Betting Preview: Pistons can grind Mavericks into submission

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 23 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

With two impressive wins in two days, the Celtics are back on their feet. Meanwhile, Nick Shiambouros believes that a trip to 'Dirty D' might be a little beyond the Mavs and the NBA mourns a Miami lionheart.

The Celtics are officially out of their slump after another solid display saw them beat the Miami Heat 98-83 in South Florida on Wednesday night.

The win was followed up on Thursday with a victory against red hot Orlando 90-80. The Magic fell behind early in the game and could never claw the deficit back in this low scoring affair but they played well and this defeat was not disastrous by any stretch of the imagination.


Way back in November, I recommended backing the Magic at [38.0] and they are now trading at [11.5]. I am holding on to my bet for now as this team just keeps winning. Orlando have won seven out of eight and Dwight Howard is on fire, putting up solid numbers regularly.

In fact this Orlando Magic team is beginning to remind me a little of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team who made it to the World Series against the odds.

On Friday night the Dallas Mavericks travel to Detroit in a very interesting match-up. I just prefer the Pistons with the handicap. They are underachieving this season but they have a good record at home and the Mavericks appear to have lost their way a little. The Pistons with their half court game could grind Dallas in to submission and a lot will rest on the shoulders of Dirk Nowitski . Allan Iverson has settled in nicely in his new surroundings, putting up 18 points per game. Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace all can score and they are a team with a balanced rotation.

I do find it puzzling as to why they are only in fifth place in the Eastern Conference but rest assured this team always comes alive play-off time.

On Saturday night my money will be on the Portland Trailblazers who host the very disappointing Washington Wizzards. Washington are last in the Eastern Conference and are in a complete mess. Antwan Jamison and Caron Butler are the producers for this team but the real issue here is that they simply can't or won't defend. When a team is in this kind of shape getting back to defend in transition is laborious. Washington have made some very poor trades and now they are paying the price.

I expect Portland to run up the score against Washington and I will be backing them with the handicap. Portland are a team to follow now that they are healthy but rookie Rudy Fernandez will be competing in the Slam Dunk contest on February 14th. I would rather he did risk of injury but he will be the first international player to take part which is great for him and the game.

On a final note, Alonzo Mourning held a tearful press conference today announcing his retirement in Miami. Mourning has been to hell and back and had a life saving kidney transplant four years ago. He fought like a lion both on and off the court and he will be greatly missed. Good luck in your retirement Zo, we will miss you.

Recommendations:

Friday, Detroit, back with advertised handicap
Saturday, Portland, back with advertised handicap