Pistons enjoying time off

Basketball Betting Lines

02/27/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Pistons are the best team in the Eastern Conference, and currently are enjoying quality time off to rest and regroup.

Detroit is riding a four-game winning streak and hasn't played since a 95-93 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Flip Saunders' bunch owns an 11-1 mark over the previous 12 contests, and the coach became the fastest in team history to win 100 games with the victory over the Bulls.

The usual suspects are getting it done for Saunders, as Richard Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince and Chris Webber continue to keep their club perched atop the Central Division. Detroit currently has a 4 1/2-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the standings.

Hamilton, who is averaging a career-high 21.5 ppg this season, is averaging 5.0 apg over the previous five contests. Hamilton, who has scored 20-plus points 34 times this season, helped the Pistons to the best February mark (10-1) since the 1989-90 squad finished the month with the same record. The best February mark was a 13-1 record during the 1985-86 campaign.

C-Webb, meanwhile, has helped his new club to a 15-4 record since he left Philadelphia. His demeanor in the Motor City compared to the days in Philly best resembles Lionel Kiddie City's "Turn that Frown upside Down ad." Webber appeared as if someone had died in his family before he left the Sixers, and now he couldn't be more happy. It also helped that Webber was able to pick who he gets to score points for next.

But with all the speculation aside, Webber is averaging 13.8 points and 7.1 rebounds in 18 games as a starter for Detroit. The former University of Michigan standout also has been a positive influence on teammate Rasheed Wallace.

Instead of getting caught smoking weed or causing problems with teammates, Wallace has benefited greatly since Webber inked a free-agent contract in mid January. Before Webber was named a Piston, Wallace was averaging 11.9 points per game with a 41.2 shooting percentage. Now Wallace is posting 13.2 ppg with a 42.0 shooting percentage. Even though the difference is minimal it still adds up in the final box score.

Speaking of Wallace, former Pistons center Ben Wallace made his return to The Palace in Sunday's loss for Chicago. After signing a huge contract with the division-rival Bulls in the offseason, Big Ben was back in Motown over the weekend and was greeted with a healthy mix of cheers and boos.

"Oh yeah, that's what I expected," said Wallace, who spent six seasons in Detroit. "There ain't nothing like a good cheer or a good boo, either way, it's all good."

Wallace finished with six points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks against his former employer. Wallace and the Bulls will return to The Palace of Auburn Hills on April 4 this season.

Detroit will return to the hardwood on Friday, March 2 against the Miami Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena. It will then close out its brief two-game road trip at Memphis on Saturday. The Pistons have the best road record in the Eastern Conference at 17-9.

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Terrell Owens could return for Cowboys next game
A bye week will allow Terrell Owens broken hand to recover just in time for the next game the Dallas Cowboys are slated to play, according to reports. MySportsbook.com, an football sportsbook, has posted football betting lines on TO playing.

Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger Sunday night and had a plate surgically attached to it Monday. Although Owens' hand was swollen and aching Wednesday, Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said he's optimistic the receiver will be back at work next week and catching passes a week from Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

MySportsbook.com online sportsbook listed Terrell Owens with odds of 7-2 (or $7 paid out for every $2 bet) to return back for the game against Tennessee.

"I certainly wouldn't rule it out now," Parcells said, referring to Terrell Owens immediate return. "Maybe five days from now I might, but I wouldn't rule it out now. ... I know we're looking to try to get him moving around pretty good in the next day or so. So we'll see where we are."

Owens did not speak with reporters Wednesday, but said Sunday he'd be out two to four weeks. A return against the Titans would be 13 days after the surgery. The Cowboys were listed as an early -7 1/2 favorite vs. the Tennessee Titans for Week 4 at MySportsbook.com

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