Time to make some money fading Detroit w/an opponent ATS chase, based upon one specific angle that they've consistently held to all season long & that perfectly coalesces with their coming schedule...
Detroit has gone 5 straight games without suffering a 7+ pt loss
- Their previous longest completed streaks this season without suffering such a loss come in at 7 games (once) then 5 games (2 times) then 3 games (4 times).
- Prior to this current streak, they averaged 1 x 7+ pt loss every 2.91 games played.
Now, Detroit's next 3 opponents are Charlotte, Atlanta & OKC. So, for Detroit to establish a new season high streak of 8 straight games without suffering a 7+ pt loss, it's going to have to manage it against 3 teams who have generally had their way with the Pistons' butt this season. What is Detroit's SU & ATS record against those teams this season? 1-5 SU & ATS (losses by 4, 7, 15, 16 & 20 pts). The one win? against Atlanta on opening night (thus the extenuating circumstance to that result becomes clear).
Then we add in the fact that Detroit's now won 4 consecutive games SU: Not since the 08-09 season (the last time they made the playoffs) has Detroit beaten an Eastern Conf. opponent in Detroit when playing off 4 SU wins in their previous 4 games (0-4 ATS, 3-1 to Over). Now they're expected to do so not only twice in 2 games, but in a b2b situation? To me, they'll be primed to be plucked by OKC in their following game if they pull off said feat.
Given the above stats & general common sense look at things, logic dictates Detroit is not sweeping their next 3 games SU: I'd say it's quite possible they lose all 3, but I think it more likely they lose one by the 7+ pt margin that the stat trend above is calling for as "due"; they win one; & the 3rd result comes down to a bucket or two either way. Cue this next stat: Detroit is 1-33 ATS in SU losses this season. They lose SU...they lose ATS.
Scheduling wise, I like how this chase pans out. Their "weakest" opponent is first, their strongest last. While Atlanta plays b2b, so does Detroit. And while OKC plays b2b, their previous night's game was @Toronto, so that travel perspective is about as relevant as playing the Lakers & Clippers b2b. All 3 coming opponents are currently in decent form (Cha & Atl both 9-2 SU L11, Okc 7-2 SU L9), so in my book their previous efforts against Detroit this season can be referenced with confidence.