I'm reluctant to go against the "computer man" on this play, but I think we have a good shot tonight taking the Blazers:
PORTLAND -1 vs, UTAH
Comments: Bettors are soured on this team after last year's playoff disaster and a rough 1-3 SU start. Blazors will be getting extra value the next few games (and tonight), and I look to go against the public perceptions which are ready to throw Portland on the ash heap.Talent wise -- this is still a pretty good team. Head coach Cheeks is now runnng the show and is certainly a "players' coach." I think he gets more effort from his players (than Dunleavy) as the season progresses. Anderson is listed day-to-day, but his replacement, Wells had 30+ points against Golden State in the last game. Pippen has played inconsistently, but sems to bounce back after bad games (openner in LAL), as he came back the following night scoring 28, including 5 for 5 3-pointers. R. Wallace has also played poorly but at least is now under control (only one technical thus far). I expect Wallace to come up with a big game tonight. Last game, Wallace was covered by the Warriors center -- which resulted in Wallace scoring only two baskets. I don't expect Ostertag to do that tonight for the Jazz, as Wallace will find the basket more often and (hopefully) crack into the 25-30 range. For the Jazz, John Stockton is starting off with another solid season -- but does have the cut on his hand (7 stitches). He played last game, but that cut could come open at any time. Karl Malone is having a slow start, with only 36 percent shooting, and the Jazz are terrible at shooting guard. Add the fact the Jazz are just 1-3 SU this season AND ARE COMING OFF A LOSS TO LAL (a game they should have won) and this appears to be a classic letdown game for the Jazz against a hungrier home team that will be eager to put togehter a win at home. Certaily, the value is there laying only a point. PLAY PORTLAND -1
-- Nolan Dalla
Look for the home Blazers to give a solid effort tonight
PORTLAND -1 vs, UTAH
Comments: Bettors are soured on this team after last year's playoff disaster and a rough 1-3 SU start. Blazors will be getting extra value the next few games (and tonight), and I look to go against the public perceptions which are ready to throw Portland on the ash heap.Talent wise -- this is still a pretty good team. Head coach Cheeks is now runnng the show and is certainly a "players' coach." I think he gets more effort from his players (than Dunleavy) as the season progresses. Anderson is listed day-to-day, but his replacement, Wells had 30+ points against Golden State in the last game. Pippen has played inconsistently, but sems to bounce back after bad games (openner in LAL), as he came back the following night scoring 28, including 5 for 5 3-pointers. R. Wallace has also played poorly but at least is now under control (only one technical thus far). I expect Wallace to come up with a big game tonight. Last game, Wallace was covered by the Warriors center -- which resulted in Wallace scoring only two baskets. I don't expect Ostertag to do that tonight for the Jazz, as Wallace will find the basket more often and (hopefully) crack into the 25-30 range. For the Jazz, John Stockton is starting off with another solid season -- but does have the cut on his hand (7 stitches). He played last game, but that cut could come open at any time. Karl Malone is having a slow start, with only 36 percent shooting, and the Jazz are terrible at shooting guard. Add the fact the Jazz are just 1-3 SU this season AND ARE COMING OFF A LOSS TO LAL (a game they should have won) and this appears to be a classic letdown game for the Jazz against a hungrier home team that will be eager to put togehter a win at home. Certaily, the value is there laying only a point. PLAY PORTLAND -1
-- Nolan Dalla
Look for the home Blazers to give a solid effort tonight
