NBA Betting Preview: Scoring machine Iverson the perfect fit for Pistons

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 07 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

Vinny Del Negro will be urging his side to contain LeBron James in Saturday's windy city encounter, says Nick Shiambouros. Meanwhile, what will the biggest trade of the year mean the Nuggets and Pistons?

It was another long night for the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday when the Cleveland Cavaliers spanked them 109-93 in a very entertaining affair.

LeBron James had a huge night scoring 41 points but in truth the Bulls only wilted in the last few minutes. Head coach Vinny Del Negro was frustrated watching James take over late in the game and everyone could read his lips as he blew a gasket from the bench. Nothing is going right for the Bulls but they play Cleveland again on Saturday at home so they have a chance to make amends.

The Miami Heat put up a very good effort beating the Philadelphia 76ers 106-83 with Wade and Beasley leading the scoring. Miami never lost the lead in this one and I think they could have a fair season if this effort is anything to go by.

On Tuesday, the Boston Celtics beat the Houston Rockets 103-99 in a very exiting encounter in Texas and once again the Celtics showed the greater resilience. It goes without saying that Boston will be tough this year but the Detroit Pistons have Alan Iverson now and are unbeaten this year.

Iverson was traded from the Denver Nuggets earlier this week to the Detroit Pistons and as previously reported Chauncey Billups leaves Detroit to join Denver in the biggest trade of the year.

The Pistons play the New Jersey Nets on Friday night in Jersey and I like the Pistons for the win with the handicap. Alan Iverson will start for Detroit and I think he is the perfect fit for this team with his gifted scoring ability. Players like Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton will feed of this guard and from what I have heard so far, Iverson believes he is with a team that can win the Eastern Conference.

Every time a trade of this magnitude takes place I always keep a close eye on the players traded as it can be very profitable following the teams involved. Iverson is a natural scoring machine and I will be following the Pistons very carefully as there could be value punting them until the market adjusts.

The Nets have struggled so far this season and come in to the game with a losing record and have lost the first two home games so I think it will be a long night for Vince Carter and friends.

On the other side of this trade Chauncey Billups will make his debut for the Denver Nuggets against Dallas and this great point guard will receive a hero's welcome when he steps on to the court Friday night in Colorado. Billups grew up in Denver and I am sure he will slot in to this team without a hitch. Carmello Anthony is delighted to have him on board and I really feel that with Billups in the line up the Nuggets won't give up as many points. Head coach George Carl has needed a point guard who can defend and now he has his wish.

I really like Denver for the win on Friday night and are currently trading at [1.88] in the outright market. I think Dallas centre Dirk Nowitzki will not be able to have as much time to shoot the ball with Billups in his face and I am looking for a much improved defensive effort from this team.

Recommended wagers:
Friday Detroit back -7.5 points
Denver back around [1.88]