With two games left in the season, the Detroit Pistons are more interested in development than notching victories, for very good reasons. However, there is a way for Pistons fans to bet on Detroit, and still make some money.
It was to most fans a meaningless basket in a game long decided. With 33.5 seconds remaining, Isaiah Stewart jacked up a 26-footer then went in for a three-pointer. The only thing Stewart’s basket accomplished was to make the final score, 131-113, instead of 131-110.
No big deal?
Well, to this (legal) bettor, it was a very big deal, If you had placed money at WynnBET on Detroit, the way I had, you also would have had a big sigh of relief.
I did bet on Detroit, but I did not go for the Moneyline (not dumb) or take the regular points spread (did not trust Dwane Casey to play all the good players at end). However, I did have faith that the Pistons players would try to avoid getting completely blown out.
Guys like Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey, Stewart and Killian Hayes have too much pride to simply roll over for a good Mavericks teams, that needed a win much more than Detroit.
So, I took Detroit, getting 19.5 points. If Stewart does not hit that ‘3’, the Pistons lose by 21 and I can’t make my next mortgage payment (Kidding, I place very small bets, just to make watching Pistons game a little more interesting).
But, thank you ‘Beef Stew’, I won the bet. How much did I make? Well, not a lot on my investment, about 25 cents on the dollar, getting 19.5 points kind of cut downs on the payout, after all.
But I was able to make some money betting on Detroit, and, if you’re a Pistons fan, at least it’s something. You don’t want to bet for the other team, as rooting for the Pistons to perform badly is not much fun.
The fact the Motor City Cruise are in the G-League playoffs takes away some players coach Casey might use in an NBA game at this point, so the tank is not so severe as last season.
Also, the kids, like Braxton Key and Jamorko Pickett, look pretty good. They both were a big reason Dallas only was up by seven at halftime, even though Bey and Stewart shot wretchedly in the first half.
Detroit ends the season with tough games against Milwaukee and Philadelphia. They could easily lose those games at full strength. However, the Bucks and 76ers also are looking to the playoffs, and do not want to overwork their stars if they do not have to. If they get a comfortable lead on Detroit, they could take their foot off the pedal.
Also, Detroit never quits. For these reasons, betting on the Pistons, getting at least 15 points (I am personally more comfortable with 18 or more) is a pretty good bet, No, you won’t make much money, but at least you can make a few bucks if the Pistons lose. If they win, all the better.