Utah at Detroit

Detroit has a fine coach in Stan Van Gundy who knows how to teach defense and motivate players. The Pistons are improved with Ersan Ilyasova, who gives Detroit several angles on offense because of his size and range. Ilyasova averaged 11.5 points per game, 4.8 rebounds and hit 74 three-pointers in 58 games for Milwaukee last season. They also add forward Reggie Bullock, who averaged 10.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists during the exhibition season, but impressed the coaches with his effort on defense. Ilyasova teams with 22-year-old Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (9.3 ppg) as long range threats, the latter who led the team in three-pointers (153) and minutes per game (31.5). The new-look Pistons already have a game under their belt, whipping Atlanta on the road last night as a dog, 106-94, winning the battle of the boards 59-40. You need frontcourt muscle against Utah and the Pistons have it with seven-foot Andre Drummond (13.8 ppg last year), an inside force as a scorer and shot blocker who had 19 boards last night. Detroit is on an 11-4 ATS run and faces a Utah team a long way from home. Detroit F Anthony Tolliver missed the opener due to the birth of a daughter but is available against the Jazz. Utah forward Trevor Booker is serving a one-game suspension for hitting Lakers center Roy Hibbert in a recent preseason game. The hungry young Pistons match up well and will be fired up for their home opener, with this team on a 7-1 ATS run at home. Take Detroit.