NewYork -6.5

[Nolan Dalla]

I'm going against the crowd here, who seems to like the Hawks in New York tonight. Knicks are a completely different team at home versus on the road, and I expect an uplifting game from the Knicks tonight. I'm not sure how much Camby will persoanlly factor into the game, as injured players coming back in the first game often have an off-night. But the team should play better and with more confidence with the big man back in the center of the court. Hawks have been feisty lately (two wins over Celtics) but I think that was overacheiving a bit and they will be primed for a letdown tonight. Considering that Kincks view this game as somewhat of a NEW season opener (healthy team), I expect them to cover a reasonable number against a team they have dominated recently. I'm on the Knicks at -6.5 and will lay up to -7 on this game.

-- Nolan Dalla

 

[Innavation]

Mr. Dalla---I too was feeling this way but not ready to make the final descision just yet!!! Games like this(especially NBA)---going against the genreal consensus can be profitable---Last night GOlden ST.--a great Example---

 

[mj]

Nice insight Nollan.. Maybe I?ll just skip that play, you?re making me have second thoughts. One thing though I still like the under on this game what do you think?

thanks

 

[Nolan Dalla]

MJ:

I have no opinion about the total. It's right about where it should be. I've noticed the Hawks have become a fast-break team the last few games (good OVER), but that may have due to the calibre of teams they were up against. I've tried to dissect games like this, trying to figure out if the team wil bring the ball to the halfcourt slowly and milk the clock or will throw full court passes and turn these games into a reincanation of 1989 Lloyola Marymount. It's very difficult to do when you have a defensive minded, slow paced team, playing a run and gun team (Hawks are in this category yet). Which tactic will prevail?

I had the UNDER in the Wash-Ind game three nights ago, thinking that Wizards woudol slow the pace down to try and stay in the game with Indiana. But, both teams turned it into a tennis match and went over 100 each. Point is -- I stay away from totals where the teams are a CLASH of styles (as in this case). It's too difficult to figure out what shape the game will take, in my view.

-- Nolan Dalla

 

[hoya]

This game reminds me a lot of the Portland-New York game a few weeks ago. Everyone on the visitor thinking the line is way off and then the Knicks show up as usual at home and win. The problem tonight however is that the Knicks still are banged up...Weatherspoon is out now just when they get Camby back. Spoon has been the only guy showing a consistent will to win on this team averaging nearly a double-double. This means either Felton Spencer or Travis Knight will see several minutes tonight...not a good sign for the Knicks. I also think the Hawks have been overacheiving but you have to respect a team with a guy that can put up 50 on any given night. Seems like to many unknowns too warrant a play on either side.

 

[mj]

Nollan: thanks for your experienced opinion. Hadn?t thought about it on that perspective.
Styles huh? Pretty neat.

I also got screwed the other day, I played wash/indiana under, but they scored 60 points in the third quarter alone, plus a big 4th quarter.

Good Luck today...

 

[gsp]

Nolan, just a thought or two on what you are saying. I agree on what you said about players returning after an injury. Usually it throws the team out of sync for a game or two. The rotation will be different and he will have to get his shots (for good or for bad). I've noticed that if the team has been playing bad (Phil) it can do nothing but help. Camby is not Iverson but I think they will be better tonight than they have been so far this year. But not much. My play will not involve Camby as much as how well Atl has been playing since Rahim has decided to be a star instead of another team member. Should have beat Ind and Mil both. Here's my best angle on this game.

At 176' you have only had 3 teams (4 games) where the line was lower. Chi, Mia, and Char, none can score points. I don't buy into the great NY d. They play so slow that other teams have a hard time getting their ave but still beat NY. Good d is when you hold the other team below their ave and win the game. Atl has been putting points up in their last few games and instead of being 3-2 in their last 5, could with a little luck be 5-0. Vegas has always been slow to give Atl any respect and always over values NY. Taking that into consideration this line should be about -2. Using Vegas' numbers it should be about -5. Will Camby make that much difference? I don't know. I look for the loser to have about 90 and everything I've got says to go over. Good luck tonight.

 

[Gatorbait]

with ya on NY

 

[tom b]

This is Atlanta's 5th game in 7 nights

 

[IK]

line has just dropped to -5.5 as of 6:30 eastern