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Detroit Pistons column: Lining up to take the over

ByAaron Ferguson|
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 10: The Detroit Pistons stand for the National Anthem before the game against the Washington Wizards during a pre-season game on October 10, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 10: The Detroit Pistons stand for the National Anthem before the game against the Washington Wizards during a pre-season game on October 10, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)

Caesars released it’s NBA over/under for win totals and the Detroit Pistons were set at 37.5. It seems obvious that the over should hit.

Las Vegas must know something that others don’t regarding the Detroit Pistons. Or it’s the latest edition of ‘Detroit versus everybody,’ where the Motor City is slighted in respect.

I won’t pretend to be a betting man. I stick to fantasy sports and watching for the enjoyment of games.

But reading that the Pistons over/under is at 37.5, according to Caesars, was like a double-take moment when you see someone at a bar.

The same Pistons that went 41-41 and reached the playoffs for the second time in four years. The core of Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson remains intact.

There are several moving pieces that could impact the Pistons but, on paper, the team seems to be improved.

Trading for Tony Snell brings a nice 3-and-D wing. Snell was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks in a trade that sent oft-injured Jon Leuer that way. It seems like an immediate upgrade to the starting lineup.

Detroit added depth to the point guard position, signing Derrick Rose and Tim Frazier. Bruce Brown showed flashes of improvement at the point guard spot during the NBA Summer League.

Additionally, the Pistons signed Markieff Morris adding a solid rotational big man.

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Detroit was on pace for 48 wins last season before a few injuries caused the Pistons to fight for their playoff lives. Mind you, the Pistons swept the eventual-NBA champion Toronto Raptors and split the season series with the Golden State Warriors, going 5-1 against the two NBA Finals teams.

Then there’s the fact that there is more balance in the NBA, thanks to Kawhi Leonard‘s decision to join the Los Angeles Clippers over the Lakers. The Western Conference isn’t as top-heavy but adds depth instead. Leonard’s decision to leave Toronto leaves one less contender in the Eastern Conference.

Milwaukee and the Philadelphia 76ers appear to be in a tier of their own, for now, in the East. The balance may be the biggest factor in the over/under.

Of course, one key injury for a long duration of time could flip the entire season and Las Vegas would pocket my money.

That’s why I don’t bet on sports and I don’t encourage sports betting. But the reported over/under had a lot of Pistons fans scratching their heads. With my luck, Griffin or Drummond would get injured early on and I’d eat my money.

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