**Cavaliers at Pistons**

--After appearing to be clearly overmatched in the first two games in Motown, Cleveland (56-36 straight up, 49-40 against the spread) found itself at home with back-to-back wins to even this Eastern Conference semifinals series at 2-2. The Cavaliers captured a 74-72 win Monday night as six-point underdogs, hooking up their backers with plus-200 payouts for money-line bets.

--Although LeBron James had an off shooting night (8-23 FGs) and was turnover prone (eight of 'em) in Game 4, the third-year superstar still finished with 22 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in 48 workmanlike minutes. Eric Snow added 12 points while committing only one turnover and playing solid at both ends of the floor.

--Detroit (70-21 SU, 42-46 ATS) had its chances down the stretch, but couldn't produce buckets in the waning moments. Richard Hamilton scored a game-high 30 points in the losing effort.

--Flip Saunders' team owns an amazing 42-4 SU record at home, but the Pistons are barely over .500 for our purposes with a 23-22 spread record.

--The Cavs are 21-25 SU and 23-21 ATS on the road. They are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 spots as underdogs.

--Cleveland guard Larry Hughes is "questionable" after missing Games 3 and 4 while mourning the death of his younger brother. The entire Cavs team attented the funeral Tuesday in St. Louis.

--Rasheed Wallace is "probable" after twisting his ankle and missing minutes at crunch time in Game 4.

--The 'under' is 16-5 in the last 21 head-to-head meetings between these teams. The 'under' has cashed tickets in three of the four games in this series with Game 1 serving as the lone exception.

--Detroit has seen the 'over' go 25-20 in its home games, but the Cavs have watched the 'under' cash at a 25-21 clip in their road outings.

--Most sports books are listing the Pistons as 11-point favorites with a total of 179. Bettors can back the Cavs to win outright for a plus 700 payoff.



**Mavericks at Spurs**

--Most spots have installed San Antonio (68-24 SU, 43-47 ATS) as a five-point 'chalk' with a total of 192. The Mavericks are plus 180 on the money line.

--Dallas (67-23 SU, ATS) took a 3-1 lead in the series by capturing a 123-118 win Monday in overtime. The Mavs covered the two-point spread, while the 241 combined points easily went 'over' the 190-point total. Jason Terry was sensational with 32 points, five assists, two steals and just one turnover. Dirk Nowitzki added 28 points and drained a pair of clutch free throws to force the extra session.

--The Spurs were unhappy with the foul call on Bruce Bowen against Nowitzki, but those things sometimes happen on the road. Still, they could've won in regulation when Tim Duncan got a decent look but at the buzzer, but his shot from about 18 feet misfired. Duncan was brilliant all night with 31 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Tony Parker paced the defending champs with 33 points, while Manu Ginobli added 26 points before fouling out.

--Gregg Popovich's team is 38-8 SU at home, but the Spurs haven't been money makers with a shaky 21-24 ATS record.

--The 'under' cashed in Game 1, but the 'over' has hit in each of the last three games between these squads.

--The Mavs are 8-2 ATS in the last 10 head-to-head meetings.

--The 'under' is 27-18 for the Spurs at home, while the 'over' is 22-21 for the Mavs on the road.