NBA: 11-14 (-16.6 units)
Sides: 9-13 (-20.7 units)
Totals: 4-3 (+4.1 units)
**5 units**
Jazz +1.5
Nuggets +7.5
**3 units**
Suns -9.5
Spurs -7
Knicks +7
Jazz- Both teams off to a poor start, but Utah clearly playing better basketball. Only win was an impressive 17pt victory at Seattle..two losses were to the Lakers by 4pts, and an OT home loss to Milwaukee, two of the NBA's best teams. Stockton still in top from, avg 11 assists..Marshall providing the second scorer they need to compliment Malone, and the addition of Kirilenko has given Utah an offensive punch off the bench. Blazers are still in the same funk as they were to end last season. Anderson questionable, Patterson still serving five game suspension, loss of Sabonis has left a hole in the middle...rotation is limited and not very cohesive at this point. Blazers usually a strong rebounding team, not the case yet this season, -10 reb margin thus far while Utah is at +11. Lone win was at home over Golden St, three losses to the Lakers, Warriors, and Spurs have all been by double-digits. Jazz the better team regardless of homecourt, should win relatively easy.
Nuggets- Loss of McDyess for the first half of the season was a major blow to Denver's season, but they have responded well thus far. Win at Phoenix to start the season, then a heartbreaking loss to the Bucks, followed by a loss at home to Sactown. Van Exel has been red-hot..avg 34ppg..and basically carrying the team. The LaFrentz situation is a bit worrisome, as him and Issel are at each others throat..Denver needs him to produce. I like the Nuggets wing defenders tonight, Posey and Abdul-Wahad..both are excellent defensive players and are what is needed to combat Houston's backcourt of Francis and Mobley. Rockets are 3-1, but have been involved in close games each time. Two OT wins at home, a 2pt home loss to Minny, and a 3pt win at the buzzer in Phoenix. Nuggets should hang around and stay within the generous number.
Suns- Phoenix coming off a heartbreaking loss at the buzzer to Houston. Had a 15pt lead in the 4th, and loss on a Norris three-pter to end the game. 0-2 at home, look for an inspired effort here to get their first home win against a poor Memphis team. Grizz are 0-3...losers by 10 at home to Detroit and Dallas (without Nowitzki), and 9 at Minny. Poor shooting team, under 38%..and not many options offensively. Their main scorer, Dickerson is struggling terribly, and as a team, only have two players shootingn over 42% (Gasol and Swift). Will have problems defending Suns backcourt, as Marbury and Hardaway are becoming acclimated with one another, and Hardaway has looked great since his poor opening night performance. No answer for Marion either..as great of a college defender Battier was, he is having matchup problems against quicker small forwards such as Marion. As mentioned, Suns need a home win to get on track, won't be looking past Memphis..should get a double-digit win.
Spurs- Coming off a 1-2 west coast road-trip, back home to face Orlando who has to travel after a double OT loss to Seattle last night. Bad spot for the Magic. Obvious advantage in the paint for the Spurs..and with teams having to double Duncan and/or Robinson, Spurs three-pt shooters have been connecting..averaging 9 per game. Most notably Steve Smith, who is an incredible 13-18 from downtown. Acquistion of Bowen gives the Spurs a defensive stopper for situations like tonight...he can lock on Hill or McGrady and give them problems. Magic should be flat after last night..Spurs had the day-off and should get a comfortable win.
Knicks- Van Gundy generally has NY ready to play after a bad loss..and the loss at Chicago the other night certainly counts fits the 'bad' description. Knicks have problems upfront without Camby..luckily Minny center posistion isn't a strong suit..but definitely a matchup problem against Garnett. Then again, most teams have a matchup problem with him. T-Wolves have home wins over Memphis and a depleted Philly team, along with a 2pt win at Houston. Decent start, and coupled with the Knicks poor showing at Chicago, you get an inflated line. No reason NY can't keep this game close.
Good Luck!
[This message has been edited by Hoops (edited 11-06-2001).]
Sides: 9-13 (-20.7 units)
Totals: 4-3 (+4.1 units)
**5 units**
Jazz +1.5
Nuggets +7.5
**3 units**
Suns -9.5
Spurs -7
Knicks +7
Jazz- Both teams off to a poor start, but Utah clearly playing better basketball. Only win was an impressive 17pt victory at Seattle..two losses were to the Lakers by 4pts, and an OT home loss to Milwaukee, two of the NBA's best teams. Stockton still in top from, avg 11 assists..Marshall providing the second scorer they need to compliment Malone, and the addition of Kirilenko has given Utah an offensive punch off the bench. Blazers are still in the same funk as they were to end last season. Anderson questionable, Patterson still serving five game suspension, loss of Sabonis has left a hole in the middle...rotation is limited and not very cohesive at this point. Blazers usually a strong rebounding team, not the case yet this season, -10 reb margin thus far while Utah is at +11. Lone win was at home over Golden St, three losses to the Lakers, Warriors, and Spurs have all been by double-digits. Jazz the better team regardless of homecourt, should win relatively easy.
Nuggets- Loss of McDyess for the first half of the season was a major blow to Denver's season, but they have responded well thus far. Win at Phoenix to start the season, then a heartbreaking loss to the Bucks, followed by a loss at home to Sactown. Van Exel has been red-hot..avg 34ppg..and basically carrying the team. The LaFrentz situation is a bit worrisome, as him and Issel are at each others throat..Denver needs him to produce. I like the Nuggets wing defenders tonight, Posey and Abdul-Wahad..both are excellent defensive players and are what is needed to combat Houston's backcourt of Francis and Mobley. Rockets are 3-1, but have been involved in close games each time. Two OT wins at home, a 2pt home loss to Minny, and a 3pt win at the buzzer in Phoenix. Nuggets should hang around and stay within the generous number.
Suns- Phoenix coming off a heartbreaking loss at the buzzer to Houston. Had a 15pt lead in the 4th, and loss on a Norris three-pter to end the game. 0-2 at home, look for an inspired effort here to get their first home win against a poor Memphis team. Grizz are 0-3...losers by 10 at home to Detroit and Dallas (without Nowitzki), and 9 at Minny. Poor shooting team, under 38%..and not many options offensively. Their main scorer, Dickerson is struggling terribly, and as a team, only have two players shootingn over 42% (Gasol and Swift). Will have problems defending Suns backcourt, as Marbury and Hardaway are becoming acclimated with one another, and Hardaway has looked great since his poor opening night performance. No answer for Marion either..as great of a college defender Battier was, he is having matchup problems against quicker small forwards such as Marion. As mentioned, Suns need a home win to get on track, won't be looking past Memphis..should get a double-digit win.
Spurs- Coming off a 1-2 west coast road-trip, back home to face Orlando who has to travel after a double OT loss to Seattle last night. Bad spot for the Magic. Obvious advantage in the paint for the Spurs..and with teams having to double Duncan and/or Robinson, Spurs three-pt shooters have been connecting..averaging 9 per game. Most notably Steve Smith, who is an incredible 13-18 from downtown. Acquistion of Bowen gives the Spurs a defensive stopper for situations like tonight...he can lock on Hill or McGrady and give them problems. Magic should be flat after last night..Spurs had the day-off and should get a comfortable win.
Knicks- Van Gundy generally has NY ready to play after a bad loss..and the loss at Chicago the other night certainly counts fits the 'bad' description. Knicks have problems upfront without Camby..luckily Minny center posistion isn't a strong suit..but definitely a matchup problem against Garnett. Then again, most teams have a matchup problem with him. T-Wolves have home wins over Memphis and a depleted Philly team, along with a 2pt win at Houston. Decent start, and coupled with the Knicks poor showing at Chicago, you get an inflated line. No reason NY can't keep this game close.
Good Luck!
[This message has been edited by Hoops (edited 11-06-2001).]
