Neither the Indiana Pacers nor the Detroit Pistons will be going to the playoffs this season. However, this doesn't mean that the two Central Division rivals are heading in the same direction, at least at the betting window. Indiana has covered each of its last five games, while winning three of four games straight up. Detroit is in the midst of a terrible 0-5 SU/ATS tailspin that has them in last place of the division, one game behind the Pacers. Still the Pistons are somehow favored in this game, just because they are at home, and despite an 0-5 SU/ATS run in the head to head series.

The number has opened with the Motor City Madmen laying 3.5 points at most books. Laying points with the Pistons these days is tantamount to disaster. In their five straight ATS losses, they were double digit dogs three times and four of the losses came by 12 or more points. The worst defeat of them all came Sunday night in Cleveland where the team was blown out start to finish by the Cavs, losing 104-79 as 12.5 point dogs. It marked the first time in 30 years that Cleveland swept a season series from the Pistons, who were badly outrebounded in the contest. The Cavs had as many offensive rebounds as Detroit did total rebounds (11).

Interestingly, the one game the Pistons did not lose by double-digits over the course of the five-game losing streak was against tonight's opponent Indiana, to whom they lost 106-102 as 2.5-point underdogs. Still it was the Pacers fifth straight win in the head to head series with Detroit and seventh straight cover. The Pistons have been an unmitigated disaster in division play the last two seasons, covering just eight of 33 games.

They are also just 6-17 ATS when playing with triple revenge, which makes things more difficult. So too does a 2-13 ATS mark after scoring 80 points or less in their previous game. Overall, they are just 2-12 SU over the last four weeks of play.

Indiana, meanwhile, has managed to cover all of its five previous games and is coming off one of their most impressive showings of the year, a 121-101 win over Oklahoma City as five-point home underdogs. The 121 points scored was the most allowed by the Thunder all season. Danny Granger, who was thought to be out indefinitely with a cheek injury, returned to the starting lineup and led the way with 32 points.

Offense has not been a problem for this team all season long as they average 99.9 PPG, which is actually sixth best in the conference. However, only the Knicks and Raptors are allowing more on the defensive end than the Pacers (104.4 PPG). On the road, that number jumps to a whopping 107.6 PPG. One bright spot for the Pistons is that Indiana has lost nine straight away from home.

These teams are separated by just a single game in the Central Division with the Pacers currently ahead of the Pistons. Indiana is all but assured of its worst season in over 20 years while Detroit will be missing the playoffs for the first time in many years.

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