Early thoughts for Friday

[Stewy]

Pistons +3, like Detroit to dominate defensively and on the boards against an undersized Knicks team that seems lost at times.

Pacers +3, looking for a good response out of the Pacers after a tongue lashing from Isiah Thomas, He called his team a bunch of pretty boys, said he needs some dogs on his team. Pacers are in a lull right now but have owned the Hornets this season.

Jazz -1.5 1h, Everyone thought fading the Jazz was a good idea on this super long roadtrip, I say wait till the last couple games, these veterans have faced adversity before and smile in it's face. Toronto has struggled to find offense without their main man in the lineup.

(4 unit play, 8-2 record)Phoenix -3.5 1h, Michael and the boys appear to be running on fumes during this tough West Coast trip, look for a fresh Phoenix team to come out early and put the hammer down.

Portland -3.5 1h, Boston hasn't beaten a quality team in their last ten games and couldn't put together any offense against the Warriors who rank near the bottom in defense.

 

[nighthorse]

Nice call on the 2nd half last night.....agree with you strongly on Jazz/raps.

I recall a couple of extended road trips in the past where teams did suprisingly well. (They were in baseball) Montreal played over their heads when Olympic Stadium crumbled and the Astros played well when one of the political conventions was in the Astrodome. Something about knowing you're going to be gone a long time. Maybe guys pace themselves better. Maybe they realize things are bad enough if they play well, but if they compound it with losing, life will be miserable. Get those wins now before they really run out of gas.

Anyway, beyond Clark, Toronto has trouble scoring. Utah should get it done....the under at 180 looks good also.

Boston is in the middle of a real grinding West coast trip. First half, whole game... i dunno. Boston is very good at beating the mediocre ( golden st. excluded). Like Portland a lot.
gl stewy