PREMIUM
Rogers' ESPN SHOWCASE (Part 2) >> Pistons/Jazz! 7-2 Past 2 Days!
(NBA) Detroit vs. Utah,
Point Spread: -10.00 | -105.00 Utah (Home)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -10.00 | -105.00 Utah (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 18-23 Detroit Pistons will continue their five-game road trip by playing tonight in Salt Lake City, up against the 24-16 Utah Jazz. The Pistons lost 127-107 last night in Oakland to the Warriors and limp into this contest having lost 10 of their last 14. Meanwhile, the Jazz come off a "statement win" Tuesday night, when they outplayed and outworked the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers in a 100-92 victory. The Jazz are tied with the Thunder atop the Northwest Division and with a win tonight, can move a season-best nine games over .500.
Detroit: The Pistons won their first game of the trip 125-124 in double-OT at Portland (the team's second straight one-point victory) but squandered an 18-point lead in a 100-94 setback at Sacramento on Tuesday. Last night, they were drubbed 127-107 by th Warriors. "We made too many defensive game-plan mistakes where we weren't doing what we were supposed to be doing and we didn't get back in transition and get matched up and we turned the ball over," Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. "When you don't do those three things against a team like that, you have no chance." A check of the league stats say Detroit ranks 5th in points allowed (100.9) but since the calendar has turned to 2017, the Pistons have allowed 117.2 PPG in starting January 3-3.
Utah: When playing Utah, one better hold down the Jazz, as Utah ranks first in both points allowed (94.9 PPG) and opponents' FG percentage (36.9%). Six players scored in double figures against teh Cavs, including all five starters. PG Hill was one of them with 13 points and seven assists. The Jazz are a much better offensive team when's he's in the lineup. He's been back for three straight games now and when healthy (he's played just 12 games), contributes 18.2 PPG and 4.4 APG. SF Gordon Hayward and center Rudy Gobert are both playing like All Stars. Hayward is averaging a career-best 22.2 PPG, while Gobert is also averaging career highs in points (12.3), rebounds (12.3) and blocks (2.5). He's grabbed 10-plus rebounds in 25 straight games and has notched 27 double-doubles this season!
The pick: I played against the Pistons last night with the Warriors and will go to the well against them tonight as well. Make Utah an 8* play.
Detroit: The Pistons won their first game of the trip 125-124 in double-OT at Portland (the team's second straight one-point victory) but squandered an 18-point lead in a 100-94 setback at Sacramento on Tuesday. Last night, they were drubbed 127-107 by th Warriors. "We made too many defensive game-plan mistakes where we weren't doing what we were supposed to be doing and we didn't get back in transition and get matched up and we turned the ball over," Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. "When you don't do those three things against a team like that, you have no chance." A check of the league stats say Detroit ranks 5th in points allowed (100.9) but since the calendar has turned to 2017, the Pistons have allowed 117.2 PPG in starting January 3-3.
Utah: When playing Utah, one better hold down the Jazz, as Utah ranks first in both points allowed (94.9 PPG) and opponents' FG percentage (36.9%). Six players scored in double figures against teh Cavs, including all five starters. PG Hill was one of them with 13 points and seven assists. The Jazz are a much better offensive team when's he's in the lineup. He's been back for three straight games now and when healthy (he's played just 12 games), contributes 18.2 PPG and 4.4 APG. SF Gordon Hayward and center Rudy Gobert are both playing like All Stars. Hayward is averaging a career-best 22.2 PPG, while Gobert is also averaging career highs in points (12.3), rebounds (12.3) and blocks (2.5). He's grabbed 10-plus rebounds in 25 straight games and has notched 27 double-doubles this season!
The pick: I played against the Pistons last night with the Warriors and will go to the well against them tonight as well. Make Utah an 8* play.
