Gasol doubtful, Odom questionable for Tuesday's game

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Gasol doubtful, Odom questionable for Tuesday's game

Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol has a moderate hamstring strain and is doubtful for Tuesday's game vs. Houston, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

Gasol suffered the injury in the first quarter of Sunday's win over Dallas and underwent an MRI on Monday, according to the report. It is not the same hamstring that forced him to miss the first 11 games of the season.

Gasol is averaging 16.8 points and 11.7 rebounds this season. During his first absence, he was replaced in the starting lineup by Lamar Odom, who sat out Monday's practice with the stomach flu and is questionable for Tuesday's game, the report said.

 

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Pick 'n' roll: Tuesday's best NBA bets

Detroit Pistons at Dallas Mavericks (-8.5, 187)

The last time the Detroit Pistons tasted victory was Dec. 12, 2009. The Pistons were only one game under .500 at 11-12 and some thought new head coach John Kuester was an early candidate for coach of the year.

The overhauled Pistons now take a nine-game losing streak into Dallas, which marks the longest losing streak for the Pistons since the 1993-94 season, and they have lost those nine games by an average of 13 points.

"You go through spurts, and this is a bad spurt for us right now," Kuester said. "We're not doing a number of things well, and when it rains it pours. We've got to get back on the right track."

Last time these two teams met in November, Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots in a 95-90 win at The Palace.

Detroit backers hope extra practice time between games will give the Pistons an edge, but it's unlikely the visitors will be able to keep up with the Mavs.

Pick: Mavericks

Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets (N/A)

The Denver Nuggets may be without their 1-2 scoring punch of Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups in Tuesday night's home game against the Golden State Warriors.

Anthony, who has missed the last two games with a knee bruise, told reporters the injury is worse than what he originally thought, while Billups also is listed as questionable with a groin injury after having missed seven of the last eight games.

Although both probably could play if pressed into action, a report from the Colorado Sports Desk said ''it is likely they will both get rest again before the high-key match up this Friday against Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.''

Denver also is without Chris ''Birdman'' Anderson, who went down with a severe ankle sprain and is listed as doubtful.

That's good news for Golden State, which is far from being Road Warriors this season. They are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 road games but have covered four of their last five games overall.

The Nuggets have lost four of their last five ATS and may be ripe for the picking as a shorthanded squad looking forward to a date with King James & Co.

Pick: Warriors

 

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DUNKEL INDEX 05 JAN 10

DUNKEL INDEX 05 JAN 10

Today's NBA Picks
Chicago at Charlotte
The Bobcats look to take advantage of a Chicago team that is 0-5 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the two teams. Charlotte is the pick (-6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Bobcats favored by 9. Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (-6 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5
Time Posted: 7:00 a.m. EST
Game 701-702: Orlando at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 120.844; Indiana 115.612
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 5; 199
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 703-704: Washington at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 113.622; Philadelphia 118.163
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 4 1/2; 202
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia by 4; 207
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-4); Under
Game 705-706: Chicago at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 115.239; Charlotte 124.197
Dunkel Line & Total: Charlotte by 9; 181
Vegas Line & Total: Charlotte by 6 1/2; 187 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (-6 1/2); Under
Game 707-708: Milwaukee at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 110.958; New Jersey 113.553
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 2 1/2; 189
Vegas Line & Total: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 191 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+1 1/2); Under
Game 709-710: Detroit at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 109.309; Dallas 121.182
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 12; 183
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 8 1/2; 187
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-8 1/2); Under
Game 711-712: Golden State at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 113.641; Denver 121.744
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 8; 229
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 713-714: Phoenix at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 122.491; Sacramento 117.624
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 5; 226
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 2 1/2; 227
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-2 1/2); Under
Game 715-716: Memphis at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 124.024; Portland 121.870
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 2; 206
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 717-718: Houston at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 116.767; LA Lakers 126.147
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 9 1/2; 207
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A