It feels so good to lean into a win when it was disaster on the other side. The Spurs were nipped by the hook in their two-point win in Toronto last week so I’m thankful we ended up going with the over that cashed relatively easily instead. We’ve got another chance to string together multiple wins and actually build a little bankroll tonight when the Pistons visit the Celtics on TNT.
Free Pick
The key info tonight is whether or not Al Horford will play. He’s missed the C’s last two games with a groin injury but the team’s decision not to fly him to Milwaukee for Saturday’s game was called cautious by more than one media outlet, which had me thinking he would play tonight with his team in Boston. The line movement kind of has me thinking otherwise though. The Celtics opened as seven-point favorites and are now either -5.5 or -6 depending on where you do your shopping.
If Horford plays, and plays effectively, I would lean Boston here because of how well the C’s have been playing and how the Pistons have been trending. Detroit’s last eight look pretty ugly, with just three wins: a close one at the Lakers, home to Atlanta and home to Washington (by a point). Four of the five losses came one the road but three were blowouts, including the last time out in Miami. Toss a home loss to the Kings in there and it doesn’t make for a pretty stretch. Reggie Jackson has been assured he won’t be traded for Ricky Rubio but trade rumors surrounding your big name point guard hardly ever help things.
The thing is, I’m not so sure Horford will play based on how the number has opened and moved since. And these two teams have played a bunch of close games over the last few seasons. If the Celtics are without their best rebounder, I have zero confidence in their ability to contain Andre Drummond on the glass. He had 20 rebounds on Saturday and hauled in 17 the last time these two teams got together (a Detroit win in Boston). If Horford does go, it will be nice to at least have the points.
Free Pick: Motown +6
boston celtics • Detroit Pistons