NBA: Detroit Bettors need Chauncey Billups

Chauncey Billups has been the face of the Detroit Pistons’ playoff runs for the past six years.


2008-05-22

Chauncey Billups has been the face of the Detroit Pistons’ playoff runs for the past six years. His disappearing act in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals has bettors weary, as over 80% of them are backing host Boston as a 4-1/2 point favorite in Game 2.

If Billups’ hamstring is 100 percent, with 13 days of rest since last game, then those who bet Detroit to win the series, better start betting Boston in game by game side bets, to recoup the money they will eventually lose. In Game 1, Billups showed the explosiveness of former teammate Darko Milicic (not good) and was decidedly outplayed by Boston second-year Celtics floor leader Rajon Rondo (also not good).

Billups averaged 21.2 points and 7.4 assists in the previous five playoff games against Philadelphia and Orlando, before going down against the Magic. Richard Hamilton was able to step his game against the Magic, but the league’s best defensive team did not allow that to happen on its home court. "I feel good," Billups said after 88-79 loss. "I feel good." If feeling good leads to nine points and two assists in 31 minutes, Pistons backers better run and hide.

Detroit fans can turn to the fact; the Pistons are 13-5 ATS off a road loss this season, winning by an average of 10.1 points per game. Another positive is this Motor City bunch is 12-3 ATS after allowing 90 points or less three straight games, proving they can step up it up a notch when called to. However, Billups lack of playing, especially as these heighten awareness times is worrisome, even to teammates. "He'd better get it back quick because the game isn't waiting on us to get well," said Pistons veteran guard Lindsey Hunter. "I saw he was hesitant, but it had better take one game for him to get back."

In viewing the action of series opener, it appeared Detroit, not Boston had gone thru a seven game series and had to play just over two days later. As ESPN announcers were talking about the Pistons window of championship opportunity closing, having won one NBA title despite five prior trips to East Finals, they played like most presumed the Celtics would. Rasheed Wallace looked like he was playing defense in quicksand, his feet were so slow. Richard Hamilton had no “Rip” to his game, compiling 15 points against an aging Ray Allen. Detroit looked every bit the team that is 5-16 ATS in Conference Finals.

This leads to something that surfaces annually now in Detroit, how good a game and playoff coach is Flip Saunders? How good was the timing to pull the upset against a run down Boston team after two mentally grueling series? Instead the Pistons played like a 1994 Ford Taurus in need of a tune-up.

Sportsbook.com opened Boston up obligatory 3.5-point favorite, down a point from series opener, figuring Detroit has a greater need to win after losing Game One. This might seem foolish since the Celtics have won nine straight playoff home games and have reeled off 15 wins in a row at TD Banknorth Garden (12-3 ATS).

When you think about the Detroit, if they aren’t good enough to beat Boston, their legacy will be that of a very good team that either lacked the right players or coaching to take them to the top of the hill. If you eliminate Miami, since they torn apart as quickly as they were built, the Pistons would be the only team since the 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers, with Julius Erving, Moses Malone and Maurice Cheeks, that assembled a squad that was among the best in basketball for a period of time and one only one NBA championship.

The East Finals resume on ESPN starting at 8:35 Eastern, with Detroit 1-7 ATS in last eight underdog roles.

StatFox Power Line- Boston by 3

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