I blew the NY Knicks play last night. Congratulations to those who had the foresight to bet the Hawks. Getting to tonight's games:
WASHINGTON +2.5 vs. CLEVELAND
Wizards are the play. Win against Celtics ended the long losing streak and now they go on the road against the perfect opponent. CAVS have played well recently (relatively speaking) but I think many CAVS may be starstruck by the Jordan factor tonight. Jordan has been having quite a few shots blocked recently, and he says he'll be working to move the ball inside more. I like to hear Jordan is working on new facets. Wizards enjoy nice edge inside with J. White who is playing better at Center. Unless Wizards go cold shooting (which is always possible), they should pick up a rare road win. Bottom line is -- Cavs don't have the talent to be favored over anybody, except Memphis and Chicago perhaps. I look for Wizards OT win versus Boston to carry over here against a weaker team.
CHICAGO +12 vs. NEW JERSEY
This is more of a GO AGAINST NJN play than anything else, and the price is certainly a gift. Nets win by 8 or 9 with a better inside game -- but we get the cover with the Bulls here.
SACRAMENTO -4. vs. HOUSTON
I woudn't normally play this except for the fact SACRAMENTO lost last night in humiliating fashion. That was a huge letdown by the Kings because of a 13-2 run to end the game. Kings did not make a single shot from the floor in the final 5 minutes! However, Kings defense is playing well, as they have held eight straight opponents under 100 points. HOUSTON returns home after a 1-3 road trip -- they've lost six of eight games after opening the season 6-1. Steve Francis is definitely OUT tonight (good news). MRI revealed damage to the bottom of his foot. Francis is averaging 21 points and 5.8 assists to lead the Rockets. Also -- HOUSTON opened its four-game road trip with a 113-77 loss to the Kings. Kings have won five straight games against Rockets and three of the last four games in Houston. ONE MORE THING: It bothers me that EVERYONE will probably be on Sacrmento tonight -- but I think the reasons are compelling enough to go with the crowd. Kings are one of the few NBA teams that actually has pride in itself and bounces back well after shocking defeats.
DALLAS -10 vs. GOLDEN STATE
Mavs have won consistently against lesser talent at home -- 18 pt win over Charlotte, 15 points over Phoenix, and 14 points over Denver. They should repeat that tonight, as they are 9-5 and begining to geon a roll. However, Warriors are playing very BALANCED ball right now -- All five starters reached double figures in the last game versus NJN. But keep in mind -- Sunday's win was Golden State's first over a winning team since Jaunuary, 2001. Warriors are not a team that goes on the road and beats good teams. So, that brings up the question of covering 10 points. Mavs have won the last nine over the Warriors. Golden State also plays a game in SANT tomorrow night, which means if they fall behind, they may mail in the rest of the game and try to salvage some energy for the game against Spurs (this happens often when teams play back-to-backs against good teams). I'll give up -10 here and take the explosive Mavs.
MINNESOTA -1.5 vs. SEATTLE
I have made a nice score with the Sonics this season. I've watched many of their games and am very impressed with this team when they put things together. But here, I think they have an off night. Seattle takes advantage of slower paced teams, but won't enjoy that advantage tonight. I also believe Minnesota is turning into one of the stronger teams in the leage and will strart proving it by winning tough road games like this one. This is more of a "feeling" bet against the Sonics who I think will struggle against a very talented team.
LATE UPDATE: NO PLAY -- MILWAUKEE +7.5 vs. LA LAKERS
I'm to the point where I hate betting Laker games. Sort of like betting Rams games... you don't know if they'll win by 30, or lose by 7. Just no predicatbility factor that I can see. Ray Allen for the Bucks is coming off the bout with the flu -- usually weak in next game. Bucks may also start 7-1 Joel Pryzbilla against O'Neal. This guy is a total stiff. He's played in only 3 games this season. His ass is going to get fried.
Here's to a great night.
-- Nolan Dalla
WASHINGTON +2.5 vs. CLEVELAND
Wizards are the play. Win against Celtics ended the long losing streak and now they go on the road against the perfect opponent. CAVS have played well recently (relatively speaking) but I think many CAVS may be starstruck by the Jordan factor tonight. Jordan has been having quite a few shots blocked recently, and he says he'll be working to move the ball inside more. I like to hear Jordan is working on new facets. Wizards enjoy nice edge inside with J. White who is playing better at Center. Unless Wizards go cold shooting (which is always possible), they should pick up a rare road win. Bottom line is -- Cavs don't have the talent to be favored over anybody, except Memphis and Chicago perhaps. I look for Wizards OT win versus Boston to carry over here against a weaker team.
CHICAGO +12 vs. NEW JERSEY
This is more of a GO AGAINST NJN play than anything else, and the price is certainly a gift. Nets win by 8 or 9 with a better inside game -- but we get the cover with the Bulls here.
SACRAMENTO -4. vs. HOUSTON
I woudn't normally play this except for the fact SACRAMENTO lost last night in humiliating fashion. That was a huge letdown by the Kings because of a 13-2 run to end the game. Kings did not make a single shot from the floor in the final 5 minutes! However, Kings defense is playing well, as they have held eight straight opponents under 100 points. HOUSTON returns home after a 1-3 road trip -- they've lost six of eight games after opening the season 6-1. Steve Francis is definitely OUT tonight (good news). MRI revealed damage to the bottom of his foot. Francis is averaging 21 points and 5.8 assists to lead the Rockets. Also -- HOUSTON opened its four-game road trip with a 113-77 loss to the Kings. Kings have won five straight games against Rockets and three of the last four games in Houston. ONE MORE THING: It bothers me that EVERYONE will probably be on Sacrmento tonight -- but I think the reasons are compelling enough to go with the crowd. Kings are one of the few NBA teams that actually has pride in itself and bounces back well after shocking defeats.
DALLAS -10 vs. GOLDEN STATE
Mavs have won consistently against lesser talent at home -- 18 pt win over Charlotte, 15 points over Phoenix, and 14 points over Denver. They should repeat that tonight, as they are 9-5 and begining to geon a roll. However, Warriors are playing very BALANCED ball right now -- All five starters reached double figures in the last game versus NJN. But keep in mind -- Sunday's win was Golden State's first over a winning team since Jaunuary, 2001. Warriors are not a team that goes on the road and beats good teams. So, that brings up the question of covering 10 points. Mavs have won the last nine over the Warriors. Golden State also plays a game in SANT tomorrow night, which means if they fall behind, they may mail in the rest of the game and try to salvage some energy for the game against Spurs (this happens often when teams play back-to-backs against good teams). I'll give up -10 here and take the explosive Mavs.
MINNESOTA -1.5 vs. SEATTLE
I have made a nice score with the Sonics this season. I've watched many of their games and am very impressed with this team when they put things together. But here, I think they have an off night. Seattle takes advantage of slower paced teams, but won't enjoy that advantage tonight. I also believe Minnesota is turning into one of the stronger teams in the leage and will strart proving it by winning tough road games like this one. This is more of a "feeling" bet against the Sonics who I think will struggle against a very talented team.
LATE UPDATE: NO PLAY -- MILWAUKEE +7.5 vs. LA LAKERS
I'm to the point where I hate betting Laker games. Sort of like betting Rams games... you don't know if they'll win by 30, or lose by 7. Just no predicatbility factor that I can see. Ray Allen for the Bucks is coming off the bout with the flu -- usually weak in next game. Bucks may also start 7-1 Joel Pryzbilla against O'Neal. This guy is a total stiff. He's played in only 3 games this season. His ass is going to get fried.
Here's to a great night.
-- Nolan Dalla
