Michael Cannon
25 Dime
CELTICS
Take the Celtics minus the points tonight when they host the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Boston defeated Cleveland in Game 7 on Sunday, while Detroit has been off for a week.
I think that?s going to work to the Celtics benefit tonight.
Boston has a chance to come into this game in a rhythm, while it probably will take the Pistons this game to get back into the flow.
On top of that, Chauncey Billups has missed the last two games for the Pistons which puts him behind even further.
Boston is going to have its hands full, there?s no question about that. Detroit brings a balanced scoring attack that Boston has yet to see in these playoffs. But I think the Pistons will need to get a game under their belts before they?re back into the swing of things.
The Celtics haven?t been kind to their backers lately, but they are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 at the Garden and 6-0 ATS in their last six at home against teams with a winning road record.
Further evidence that the Pistons will need a game before they get going can be found in the 0-6 ATS mark they have after three or more days off.
Take the Celtics minus the points as they grab the win and cover.
10 Dime
INDIANS (With Sabathia as listed pitcher)
Take the Indians for the road win tonight over the White Sox.
C. C. Sabathia will get the start for the Tribe and he comes into this game finally having hit his stride after a slow start.
The left-hander is 3-2 with a 1.49 ERA in his last five starts. He has won back-to-back starts for the first time this season. During that span he has limited the opposition to one run and 11 hits over 16 innings.
What?s more, Sabathia has dominate the ChiSox in his career, going 14-3 with a 3.66 ERA in 24 games. Those numbers include a perfect 7-0 record and 2.69 ERA in 11 road starts.
Jose Contreras will start for the White Sox and you never know what you?re going to get from him from start to start. Sometimes he shows his real age, which is probably somewhere close to 50, other times he looks young and spry.
Take the Tribe as they grab the road win behind Sabathia.
5 Dime
PIRATES (With Maholm as listed pitcher)
Take the Pirates for the home win over the Brewers.
Milwaukee has struggled this year, especially on the road, where they?ve been swept in three consecutive series. Overall the Brewers have lost five in a row and are just 5-12 in May.
The Pirates have showed some signs of improvement this year. The Bucs are 12-8 at PNC Park and have won seven of their last eight there.
The Brewers are just 5-12 over the last two seasons combined at PNC.
Take the Pirates as they grab the home win.
