Detroit at Boston

The NBA Eastern Conference Finals begin tonight in Boston. We have watched the Celtics struggle offensively throughout the playoffs on the road but also in their last two home games vs. Cleveland. What hasn't waivered for them however is their defense. At home especially they have clamped down on the defensive end. In eight home playoff games, they ahve allowed just 79 ppg. The defensive signature of both of these teams is extremely high. The Pistons have been a playoff team for quite some time, and they are certainly no strangers to the defensive commitment required to stay in these games. Detroit has played 30-13 to the UNDER on the road in the playoffs since the 03-04 season. How important is it to make a defensive commitment in game one? The Pistons have played 11-2-1 UNDER in all game ones the last five years! These teams met three times during the season and in the three games, no team was able to score more than 92 points in any game. The Pistons are also an amazing 66-29-1 to the UNDER when slated as a dog and the last five times these teams have met in Boston the games have all gone UNDER.