Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks
Two of the league’s bottom-feeders will battle it out Wednesday night when the Pistons visit the Knicks at MSG.
The Pistons have been reeling since the All-Star break, winning only three times in the nine games they have played. Detroit looked in control against the Celtics Tuesday leading 75-72 at the end of the third quarter, but couldn’t seal the deal in the fourth quarter losing 105-100.
“We had a great chance, but you can’t miss opportunities against a team like the Celtics,” Pistons guard Ben Gordon told reporters after the game. “We knew they were going to have a strong finish, especially after what happened in their last game.”
Fortunately for the Pistons, they face a Knicks team that just can’t get anything right especially on defence. New York has allowed more than 110 points nine times in its last 10 games, most recently getting routed 124-93 by the Cavaliers Monday.
Pick: Pistons
Cleveland Cavaliers at New Jersey Nets
The Cavs are winning but they aren’t winning the way head coach Mike Brown would like to see. Brown comes from San Antonio’s coaching family and loves to win ugly games.
But that’s not the way the Cavaliers are playing these days. Cleveland is 8-2 to the over in its last 10 games and is averaging 109.2 points over the last 13 games. The Cavs have eclipsed 100 points in 11 of those 13 games.
“We have athletic guys that can get out and run on the break and finish,” LeBron James told the Cleveland Plain Dealer following a blowout win over the Knicks. “It is not something we practice a lot but if we get stops we can get out and run.”
Expect the Cavs to take advantage of any fast-break opportunity against the woeful Nets.
Pick: Over