After an 11-game absence, the Golden State Warriors will get a huge boost tonight when star point guard Stephen Curry returns to the lineup in the Motor City against the Detroit Pistons. Sportsbooks opened the Pistons as 5-point underdogs with a total of 227.5.
- The OVER is 5-1 in the Pistons' last six games.
- The home team is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings between the Warriors and Pistons.
- The underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last five matchups between the Warriors and Pistons.
Warriors vs Pistons Game Center.
Durant is on an epic tear right now
Curry, who’s been sidelined with a strained left groin, will look to help the Warriors end a five-game losing streak on the road. While the majority of the Warriors haven’t been performing up to expectations since Curry’s injury, the same can’t be said about Kevin Durant. Durant is on an incredible roll right now, topping 40 points in three straight while averaging 48 points per game during that stretch. Durant had 51 points and 11 rebounds in Thursday’s 131-128 overtime setback to the Toronto Raptors.
The Pistons are on an excellent run right now, as Friday’s 107-88 win over the Chicago Bulls marked their fourth straight win and eighth in the past 10 games. Guard Reggie Jackson collected 20 points and knocked down a career-high six 3-pointers in eight attempts vs the Bulls. Center Andre Drummond had 19 points and 20 rebounds vs Chicago and has seven outings of 20 or more boards this season.
Warriors have been fade material as a spread bet
Backing the Warriors on the spread has been a poor endeavor lately, evidenced by Golden State going 2-8 ATS in its past 10 games. The Warriors are also 1-4 ATS in their road losing streak and are 1-5 ATS in their previous six away from home against teams with winning records.
Covering the spread against the Western Conference hasn’t been an issue for the Pistons lately. Detroit is fantastic 8-1 ATS in its past nine contests vs the West. The Pistons are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games and 4-1 ATS in their past five following an ATS win.
My pick: take the OVER
My initial lean was to take the Warriors due to the return of Curry, but I’m going to wait it out and see how head coach Steve Kerr works him back into the lineup. Instead, I’m on the OVER due to Detroit’s solid recent home performances and the red-hot run Durant is on right now. I don’t see either side letting up in this one, so watch the fireworks show and take the OVER.
