Los Angeles at Detroit

Detroit again is playing great defense. They haven't allowed triple digits yet in four games. Their offense has been, outside of one game, not so hot. They shot 59% and scored 116 at Orlando in their second game, but outside of that game, they are averaging just 42.9% from the field and 92 points per game. The Clippers come into town with a high-powered offense. Overall their numbers look outstanding. But, while they are scoring 117.5 per game at home, they are averaging just over 100 on the road. The Bulls held them to 97 points. And you know Detroit will look at this as a challenge to which to rise. Explosive teams like LA (scorign 102+ ppg coming off a big blowout win by 15+ points are 23-4 UNDER in the first half in their next game to a line of 95.5 to 100.5 over the past five seasons. This is their third game in four days - all on the road - so we don't expect, early in the season, for their legs to be all there. Detroit will bring their defense here as they usually do vs. good opponents. The Pistons are 58-36 UNDER in the first half vs. winning teams the past couple of seasons.