Can't Wait To See It!

I find myself truly excited to watch the Detroit Pistons play the Boston Celtics tonight.

I am not excited because the game might be a close one or because I think the Celtics are going to win.  I am excited because this game could go a long way toward indicating what to expect the rest of the season.

If the Celtics can’t get fired up for this game; if they play uninspired basketball tonight like they have at times in this early season, it could indicate that they don’t have what it takes to repeat.

The Pistons have just beaten the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the past week and they are getting a lot of attention for it. 

If the Pistons were to beat the Celtics tonight, the media would be sure to start talking about crowning the Pistons as champs.  The Celtics, if they are motivated competitors, really playing spirited basketball, will not want that to happen.

It is rare that such a game exists early in a basketball season. 

Perhaps it is the lack of challengers in the Eastern Conference that gives this game more meaning. 

We all know the East is going to come down to the Celtics, Pistons and Cavs, so maybe this game takes on a championship feel as a result. 

Whatever it is, this game between the Pistons and Celtics overshadows the NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals by a long shot. 

So, what can we expect to see in this game tonight?

The Celtics are favored to win this game by seven points. 

There are no significant injuries to either team for tonight’s game, so I would expect the majority of the money to go down on the Pistons.  They are the obvious pick, as well as they have been playing lately.

If I were a bettin’ man, however, I would probably take the Celtics in this one.  The Celtics haven’t been in top form lately.  They are winning games, but not playing their best.  They know this is chance to send a message to their prime competitor in the Eastern Conference. 

There is also the back-to-back factor to consider.  The Pistons just played last night and will be a little more tired than normal.  If they are trailing down the stretch, it will be tougher for them to muster the energy for a comeback. 

Of course, that is all just speculation.  Nobody knows what is going to happen in tonight’s game.  I guess that is why I am so excited to see it.