The Nets won the first two meetings so they know they can beat Detroit. Brooklyn is playing hard down the stretch while the Pistons are flailing, having lost eight of nine. While I liked Detroit as a home dog to Miami on Tuesday, this is too many points for the Pistons to lay. Back Brooklyn to cover for the sixth time in its last seven road games.

The Nets are 16-58, but three of those wins came in the past five games. They look competitive and it starts with the defensive end. On the season they've allowed opponents to shoot 47 percent, but in the last five its been just 41.6 percent. They've also beaten Detroit twice, including nine days ago, which started the Pistons' current five-game losing streak. The play is on Brooklyn taking the points.

The reeling Pistons have lost five straight and eight of their last nine to fall out of the playoff race. They are in desperate need of a win, and good news comes Thursday with the Nets coming to Detroit. Brooklyn's recent improvement has led to a market adjustment, making this a light spread to lay for the favorite. My simulations have the Pistons winning by double figures, so take advantage of the discount and play the chalk.