Nick Parsons Available Picks

May, 30 2008 8:30pm EST
TOTAL: Over 175.5 (-110)
LOSS for -2 unit(s)

Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons

Play OVER the total in Detroit vs Boston @ 8:35 PM ET – Considering that two of the last four games played in this series have not only gone over, they’ve both reached the 200 point mark, there is great line value with the low O/U number that continues to get posted on these games. Granted, three of the five games in this series have stayed under but they’ve just missed. As for the two overs, those weren’t even close to missing as they flew over the total. After the Celtics won Game Five in Boston by a 106-102 count we’re looking for more of the same from both teams tonight. The amazing thing about what the Celtics did in Game Five is that they managed to score 106 points even though the bench produced just three points. That was partially because Ray Allen finally rejoined the Big Three and he produced 29 points on Wednesday. Kevin Garnett scored 33 points and continues to be very tough on the Pistons defense. Even though the Celtics Paul Pierce had a bit of an off night (16 points) the game still easily went over the total. This is also due to the emergence of Kendrick Perkins. The 6’10 center has now scored double digits in three straight games with his 18 points in Game Five being his most so far this postseason. Perkins is also averaging 9.6 boards per game in this series and this is helping the Celtics jump start their transition game. Perkins has shot an amazing 60% (51 of 85) from the field in this postseason. With him playing his best basketball of the postseason right now, the Celtics have yet another big weapon to turn to for offense in Detroit tonight. It’s also quite likely that the bench will produce much more than just three points in this game. The problem for the Celtics will undoubtedly be on the defensive end. They’ll be trying to stop a Pistons team that is absolutely determined to return this series to Boston for a Game Seven. Detroit has the veteran talent necessary to accomplish the task at hand but we’re not comfortable with projecting the Pistons to be able to stop the Celtics Big Three (or should we say Four with Perkins?). The Pistons have scored at least 94 points in three of the last four games in this series and Chauncey Billups erupted for 26 points on Wednesday. It certainly looks as if Billups hamstring is getting better and that’s good news for the Pistons offense. Also, the reports we’ve received on Richard Hamilton have been good ones and we do expect him to play and we expect him to enjoy success again tonight as his right elbow injury is not serious. Hamilton was second in scoring for the Pistons with 25 points in Game Five and he’s averaged just under 25 points per game in his last eight postseason games. Being at home will help the Pistons scorers to stay hot and they do have a solid bench that can be called upon…just like it was for 21 points in Game Five. Look for another high scoring match-up here as it should end up being very similar to Wednesday’s game!