Minnesota/Atlanta:
The 'Wolves are what they are - McHale is living out the version of youth-originated hell that he laid upon his friend Wittman before Glen Taylor decided that kismet was in order. I still don't think they're a selfish unit (Telfair excepted), but hard to rely on kids to carry your wager through.
Hawks - I'm pretty sure their recent hot run coincides w/ Joe Johnson's stats enjoying an upward incline; Bibby, despite fishing for a big contract for next year, hasn't been as reliable a complement to Johnson although he's gone through sporadic stretches where his 3 point jumper is $.
Side - NO PLAY.
Have already placed a 1/2 unit on the U, will buy the remainder very shortly - this is predicated on the 'Wolves' young, but tired legs: AN EDUCATED GUESS is all that claim is, folks.
Chicago/Washington:
Bulls are an enigma - obvious they can score - Gordon, Thomas, Salmons - BUT they can't defend - and quietly shoved a coach (Skiles) who stresses defensive principles out the door in favor of another (Del Negro - another yeoman like player at NC State that enjoyed a comfortable journeyman's career in the NBA - Nate McMillen being the other) who also prefers 'em. Saddle him w/ assistants in Del Harris and Bernie Bickerstaff, neither of whom enjoyed a credible run as a head coach.
Washington - season was LONG over months ago; they're playing their youngsters to get them some experience. McGee w/ girth is promising - and hopefully dislodges the malcontent and oft-injured Haywood. Gotta be wearisome to think about Arenas as a teammate - injured and his reports of his return proving to be continually anticlimactic - his blog contents have been the most exciting part of Gilbert Arenas since... forever, it seems. Crittendon is NOT a true point and struggles mightily. Honest effort from Jamison and Butler's lingering injuries, however minor or major, speak to an overall resignation about the optimism or lack thereof.
Side - NO PLAY.
Total: Undecided - Bulls can score - and against a POROUS Washington defense, hardly a challenge. Will the Wizards be anemic once more offensively and will the Bulls comply by even playing a modicum of defense?
Be back w/ some other musings on the remainder or subset of games - Orlando/New York GUARANTEED (NOT the game, just the writeup).