Perry Perspective: Feb 15 From BetWWTS

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High-flying Phoenix hosts Houston before break

So far, so good.

Amar? Stoudemire?s rehabilitation from offseason knee surgery continues. This week, the Phoenix Suns? star power forward took part in sprints, and last week he began five-on-zero drills in practice. Next week, he is expected to engage in one-on-one and two-on-two sessions en route to a possible return in about a month.

In the meantime, point guard Steve Nash continues to carry the team. If Nash continues to perform like he has, the 32-year-old Canadian could be taking home the NBA?s MVP trophy for the second straight year. Nash is putting up even bigger numbers this year than he did last year when he helped the Suns improve from a 29-53 record, second worst in the West, to a 62-20 record, the best in the league.

Last season, Nash led the league in assists averaging 11.5 per game, and chipped in 15.5 points. This year, Nash still leads the league in assists with 11.1 per game, and is now scoring 19.3 ppg. The 10-year NBA veteran, who will be playing in his fourth All-Star game this weekend, is also averaging about 37 minutes per game this year compared to 34.3 last season.

Somewhat lost in all the hype about the reigning MVP has been the play of teammate Shawn Marion, who has been selected as a reserve for the Western Conference All-Star team. The Suns? seven-year veteran is leading the team in scoring 21.1 ppg (19th overall) and has been a beast on the boards averaging 11.9 rpg, tied for third overall (as of Tuesday).

With Nash dishing off the ball and Marion grabbing the rebounds, the Suns have the highest-scoring offense in the NBA averaging 106.8 ppg. The team has seven players scoring more than 10 points per game ? only Sacramento has as many.

The Suns currently lead the Pacific division with a 33-17 record straight up (as of Tuesday). But the surging LA Clippers are nipping at their heels and are just 2.5 games back. Regardless, once Stoudemire returns, the Suns could become the favorite to win the Western Conference (the Spurs are currently favored at -160; the Suns are +200).

On Thursday, Phoenix will host T-Mac and the Houston Rockets in the last game before the All-Star break (10 p.m. ET, TNT).

The Suns have one of the better records against the spread this year at 27-23. However, they?ve lost seven of their last 11 ATS heading into Wednesday?s game in Denver. They?ve also been a mediocre pick at home where they are 13-14 ATS.

The Rockets, on the other hand, have a crummy 21-30 SU record and sit in the basement of the Southwest. Their record against the number is below average at 24-26-1 ATS.

Nevertheless, Houston does tend to play better on the road where they are 13-14 SU and an impressive 18-8-1 ATS.

Although the Suns have been putting up big numbers, oddsmakers have adjusted their totals accordingly - only 26 of Phoenix?s 50 games have topped the total. But recently, the Suns have seen some higher scoring games, which is partially a reflection of their weaker defense - 10 of their 13 games have gone OVER.

The Rockets, meanwhile, are scoring the second-fewest points in the NBA (89.8 pg) and at the same time are allowing the fifth fewest (91 ppg). Not surprisingly, they?ve seen more games fall below the total. Through 51 games, 29 have gone UNDER, including nine of their last 12.

All-Star props

BetWWTS has posted some props for this weekend?s All-Star festivities in Houston.

Currently, Steve Nash is a +125 favorite to defend his title in the Skills Challenge. This event consists of a timed obstacle course involving dribbling, passing and shooting. Following Nash is Miami?s Dwayne Wade at +250, the Hornets? Chris Paul at +300, and LeBron James at +350.

In the three-point shootout, Seattle?s Ray Allen is the favorite at +200 followed by the Suns? Raja Bell and the Pistons? Chauncey Billups, both at +300. Phoenix's Quentin Richardson won last year?s event.

And finally, in the slam dunk contest, Atlanta?s Josh Smith is favored at +120 to retain the title he captured last year. Smith is followed by the Knicks? 5-foot-9 guard Nate Robinson at +240, the Sixers? Andre Iguodala at +250, and the Grizzlies? Hakim Warrick at +400.

---Perry

Lines Dept of

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