Detroit playoff odds

For the first time in a long time, hope exists when it comes to Detroit Pistons basketball. I was already hip to the culture in Detroit. They kind of have an underdog, go-get-what-you-want feel to them, and I like that about the city. Is a million too low? Rookie of the year odds? And Garza is no slouch, as evidenced by his back-to-back Sporting News Player of the Year honors, the first player to win the award twice in a row since some guy in the s named Michael Jordan.

Bertuzzi and Mantha come into this season on new contracts. Larkin continues to make steps toward earning the captain role for the team, which would be the first since Jonathan Bernier showed promise with a 2.

The year NHL veteran saw the most action in net since with Toronto. On defense, Filip Hronek was thrown into the fire last season at just 22 due to a back injury to Danny DeKeyser. That should bode well for Hronek this season while DeKeyser also returns.

Oddsmakers have given Detroit the longest odds to win the Central, while Tampa is the clear favorite. Things get underway for the Red Wings on Jan. Detroit holds its first four games at home against the Hurricanes and Blue Jackets. That is followed by a four-game road trip against Chicago and Dallas. The longest odds and the biggest longshot. But stranger things have happened. The team has a few veterans such as Kelly Olynyk on the roster, but this is a full on youth movement in the Motor City.

Cunningham has star potential, but I do envision him playing the role of facilitator early and defer to Grant. Despite being head and shoulders above his teammates at Oklahoma State, Cunningham did make sure to distribute the ball, especially early in the season. With Cunningham running the offense as well as a healthy Hayes, I do expect Detroit to take a step forward with capable shooters around the No. There will be high points of the season, but I see the Pistons falling late in games, which will keep them under their win total.