I like the Pacers +5 over the Spurs. I think the Pacers will respect the Spurs and play hard against them, especially since they lost their last meeting 100-99. The Spurs on the other hand never seem to lose to the Pacers, so they might relax against them. They also closed the first half with a big win in Denver, so they may not feel the urgency. The Spurs' margin of victory gets smaller every time they play the Pacers. The Spurs talent is too much to comfortably put money on Indiana straight up, but on the road I think it's safe to assume the game will at least come down to the wire.
Pacers +5.
I also like Detroit to cover against Orlando. Orlando is too good to lose to Detroit after all that time off, but I think the odds of Orlando winning by 11 are quite slim. If Orlando dominates the game, 11 is big enough that they could slowly squander that lead over the course of the game to win by only 9 or 10. However, I think Detroit will show up. Detroit is old, but there's got to be some scenario in which they win a road game without a day off. What better than right after the all-star break against a legitimate opponent? They lost to 2 straight crappy teams and then beat a 3rd crappy team. They will feel like they have more to prove. I think the only way this bet can be ruined is if somehow they end up exactly tied at the half. Then, Orlando will decide to murder the Pistons. Every other scenario favors Detroit.
Detroit +11.
Pacers +5.
I also like Detroit to cover against Orlando. Orlando is too good to lose to Detroit after all that time off, but I think the odds of Orlando winning by 11 are quite slim. If Orlando dominates the game, 11 is big enough that they could slowly squander that lead over the course of the game to win by only 9 or 10. However, I think Detroit will show up. Detroit is old, but there's got to be some scenario in which they win a road game without a day off. What better than right after the all-star break against a legitimate opponent? They lost to 2 straight crappy teams and then beat a 3rd crappy team. They will feel like they have more to prove. I think the only way this bet can be ruined is if somehow they end up exactly tied at the half. Then, Orlando will decide to murder the Pistons. Every other scenario favors Detroit.
Detroit +11.
