SIGN UP: Get the best player prop and game betting projections at BetAlytics. Use code "JUICE" for a special promo rate.
Don’t worry, folks: My NBA first-quarter bets are only a couple of weeks away. Until then, here’s an NBA win total wager to hold you over until the regular season starts.
The pick — Detroit Pistons OVER 25.5 wins (-110, FanDuel)
Oh yeah baby, we’re buying a ticket on the Pistons train this season. While it may be frustrating and excruciating at times and you may curse my name after a bad game in the middle of January, this Detroit team is poised for improvement.
First, the Pistons have a new head coach in J.B. Bickerstaff, whose arrival marks a transition to becoming a stronger defensive squad. Bickerstaff was able to coach the Cavaliers to a top-10 defensive rating, and I think he will eventually achieve the same transformation in Detroit.
The Pistons were no strangers to the injury bug in 2023-24, losing star Cade Cunningham for 20 games including the last seven to a left-knee injury. With a full offseason to recover, the 2021 No. 1 overall pick is poised to have a breakout campaign.
Detroit also added some much-needed veterans, bringing in Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley and Paul Reed. Together, their experience and leadership should help guide the young Pistons and prevent another 28-game losing streak.
Sadly for Detroit, the record-tying 28 straight defeats were the only reason the franchise was in the news last season. It’s hard to say the 14-68 record wasn’t rock bottom, but a new coach and a fully healthy star give me confidence that the Pistons can reach 26 wins in 2024-25.