In the eyes of many NBA pundits this game could be a preview of the NBA Finals (Sorry Celtics fans, but we must remember the Pistons did just beat you guys at home.).  As of this writing, the Detroit Pistons have won ten games in a row.  The Spurs have also generated one of the best records in the stacked western division.  The television ratings are down in the NBA, but it’s my guess that they will see at least a one night spike as two of the best teams from their respective division over the last half decade square off in a meaningful game that will answer a lot of questions about both teams.

When you think of the Spurs you automatically think of Tim Duncan, but it is Tony Parker that is leading the team in points this year, with 20.3 a contest.  Parker also leads him team with 6.7 assists a contest.  That isn’t to say Duncan is losing a step, he does still lead his team with over ten rebounds a game, but he has other options this year.  The “rest” he is getting now could spell trouble for opposing forwards and centers in the playoffs.

As noted, the Pistons are playing well, but it’s always tough to play the Spurs at home, where they have only lost twice this year.  Because Detroit is on a roll I think they will hang in to the final buzzer, only to lose by a point or two. 

The Utah Jazz are a very decent basketball team.  The problem with Utah is that they play in the tough western conference where just about every game is against a very solid opponent.  That plight won’t change for the Jazz as they take on Steve Nash and the Suns.

Nash leads the league in assists with over twelve a game, and is playing comparable to his MVP seasons.  Amare Stoudemire leads the team with just over 21 points a game, and Shawn Marion leads the team with exactly 10 rebounds a contest.  Just the fact that each category has a different leader shows that the team is highly balanced.  However, over the last ten games of this writing the Suns are 6-4, and have requested a more solid effort from their reserves.  If the Suns expect to make it far into the playoffs then they will need to rely on these bench players to give their starters a rest during the regular season so they won’t be wiped out by the postseason. 

Carlos Boozer is having an All-Star type season, but he can’t do it alone.  Boozer is leading his team in scoring and rebounding with 24 and 11, respectively.  The one saving grace for this game is that the Jazz get to play at home, but even with that I think the Suns are too much for them.  I expect the Suns to go into town and take care of business in a tough game, but never too worrisome.

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