What's up gents, apologies for the late post. Became unexpectedly busy today and wasn't able to get at you guys earlier. At this time I am not really sure which way I am heading in terms of creating a card tonight. Not even sure if I will take part in any action today but thought I would come by and post some quick thoughts for tonight's games. Hope it helps some of you pull the trigger or back off if you are on the fence regarding specific games. Either way, as always I wish you the best of luck. Peace - - - MAKORLANDO MAGIC @ NEW JERSEY NETSI understand the reluctance of taking Orlando on the spread. It is always hard to place our trust in teams that are new (rotationally) and still finding their niche as a team. Despite their win over Boston it was the Celtics that controlled the game. Nevertheless, tonight I just do not see the Nets upsetting the balance of this Orlando team. The Magic are confident despite their narrow win. If Orlando continues to keep up their defensive intensity as a unit, this team as it is, is one of the most dangerous in the league. Ryan Anderson should not be underestimated as a big and can do some nice things for the Magic off the bench. Bass is striving in his starting role. This Orlando roster is offensively potent and even on a mediocre shooting night can beat teams like New Jersey by double digits with relative ease.
DETROIT PISTONS @ CHARLOTTE BOBCATSMichael Jordan is an idiot....yes I said it. MJ is a business man, all he wanted was more then 2 playoff games this year. He needed the revenue of 3 post season games for his franchise. He let go of Tyson and let go of Raymond....and decided, this team is still a playoff team. It was clearly evident it was not. This Charlotte roster 8 deep was very weak, yet Larry Brown still managed to get this team to play defense. Charlotte was still a very gritty defensive team under Larry Brown, although I am a fan of Paul Silas I don't know what mentality he will instill on this team. Usually it is quite safe to back a team playing for a new coach, especially against a ridiculously poor Pistons ball club.
ATLANTA HAWKS @ MILWAUKEE BUCKSMy second largest play of the season was on the Bucks at Atlanta earlier this season. The Bucks have basically a new revamped team since that meeting but once again, still a roster that is tailor-made at defeating the Atlanta Hawks. After GM's lose in the playoffs to a specific team, they tend to spend the off season forming a roster that won't allow that to happen again. This Bucks team is fit to beat the back to back Hawks tonight. Horford was owned by Okafor last night, I wonder what Andrew will do to him. Boykins, Larry and Mbah a Moute will provide more off the bench then Zaza, Jamal and Evans. It is up the the starting 5 of the Bucks to score enough to keep pace with an Atlanta teams that loves to move the ball. Hawks have better ball rotation then any team in the NBA, very subtle but true. If Dooling, CDR & Salmons can provide some offense tonight, Bucks can take this game at home.
DALLAS MAVERICKS @ OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDERLoves the way OKC plays the game. They push the tempo, feed their star and control the game against most teams in the NBA. Dallas is not "most-teams." At the beginning of the season I predicted them to be the best road team in the NBA. They are proving to be a legitimate title contender. Tyson has the KG effect in the post and his team works around his defensive effort. The zone defense may cause the Thunder some problems today. Not a very strong team behind the arc, it may be very difficult for OKC to break the Dallas zone tonight. This is a matchup of 2 of the top 4 teams in the Western Conference. I am calling for both these teams to have home court in the playoffs along with the Spurs and Lakers. This matchup is the game of the night and one I will most enjoy watching.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS @ MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVESWow, I guess the secret is out. I was hoping for a much larger dog spread for the Tims. They are my money making team this season. Despite what most think, this team is good. Not decent, but good. They have had the worst schedule in terms of difficult in the NBA and have still competed. Their rotation is solid and they tend to play exceptional ball at home. Both teams off tough back to back wins. The one thing that is continually underestimated about the Hornets is their defense. Their ability to stop penetration and defend the post is the reason they will make the playoffs this season. Tough game to predict here, but with this shallow spread the secret is out. Love and Beasley have arrived.
TORONTO RAPTORS @ MEMPHIS GRIZZLIESA lean I would be more than happy to be wrong about. Don't really understand all the love for the Raptors. They have only had 2 full practices in the past 3 weeks. That is not going to cut it. The face a deep, confident and dangerous Grizzlies team at home. Mike Conley will play, Bargnani will not along with a plethora of other Raps. I myself refuse to back my boys until Reggie Evans returns. I hope you are all right and the Raps take this straight up.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS @ HOUSTON ROCKETSI love the Rockets, I think they are a team that will not stop fighting until they are in the playoff picture. Nevertheless, this spread is ridiculous. Tonight the Wiz will have a full healthy roster and despite their dismal road record they have a chance to pull off a monster upset tonight. They fought hard in Texas last night and depending on what type of rotation Flip will implement, I think this Wiz team has enough talent and athleticism to still compete for a playoff spot in the East. This might not be the best spot to start backing the Rockets but you better start because Houston is ready to start making a move in the West.