Hi guys, Here are the writeups for tonight's games:
<b>4* Washington(+2)</b> Just not sold on this Toronto team as where will the offense come from? Obviously Carter is a scorer and Antonio Davis can get dd's, but past that they just don't have much punch. Morris Peterson is erratic, Alvin Williams is a serviceable guard but not a consistent enough shooter and then you are left with guys like Voshon Lenard, Lindsey Hunter, and Jerome Williams to try to fill in the gaps. Lamond Murray is out two months and until he returns, I think they will struggle to score consistently. Washington could surprise this season as the Stackhouse deal for Rip Hamilton gives them more attitude and another option on offense that will be tough to defend with Jordan on the floor. Larry Hughes is also a weapon that should thrive here and the Wizards are raving about the versatility of Jared Jeffries who has grown over the summer and is now pushing 7 feet tall. Kwame Brown also showed signs of coming along in the Pre-season and this is gift line in my eyes.
<b>4* Chicago(+10)</b> and <b>3* Chicago Under(195)</b> The Celtics have not had much success in the wallet against the Bulls recently losing 6 of the last 7 meetings ATS. The Celtics are just 38-50 the last 88 as a favorite and they made a HUGE mistake in my opinion trading Kenny Anderson for Vin Baker. The change of scenery was SUPPOSED to be just what he needed, but judging by his performance in the pre-season he is toast. The guy put up averages of just 4.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in pre-season shooting just 53% from the line which boggles the mind and he appeared to have even less interest in playing defense as he committed an average of 5 FOULS PER GAME in just 19.7 minutes of action and also had 10 turnovers. In addition to still lacking post presence as Baker does not appear to be a threat, they are left without a true point guard and Shammond Williams and Tony Delk will have to split the time there and neither is a true point. This will help Jay Williams early getting his feet wet as Delk and Williams aren't likely to be crafty enough to set him up. Chicago got tougher with the addition of Donyell Marshall and I think that they can silmply wear down the Celts inside with depth with Marshall, Chandler, Curry, Fizer, etc. The Bulls don't have any stars, but they do have good depth and are moving in the right direction with the talent pool that they have. Boston offense will likely take time off the clock setting up as they don't have the penetration of Anderson nor the ball handling skills to get into an up tempo game and this one should stay tight and play under the number as I don't see either team reaching 100 here.
<b>3* Dallas(-5)</b> Dallas has had their way on the road as a favorite of 3 to 6 points going 14-3 ATS the last two seasons in that role. They are 55-34 ATS the last two years on the road and are 10-1 SU and 8-2-1 ATS the last 11 at Vancouver/Memphis. Memphis is improved and I like their young talent, but Dallas is on a mission and has too much offense for the Grizz right now.
<b>3* Miami(+3)</b> Orlando has some nagging injuries and will likely be without Horace Grant here and I think that Grant Hill was extended a little longer than Rivers wanted to play him last night. Orlando has also not fared well recently in back end of back to backs going just 3-8 ATS the last 11 and 2-7 ATS the last 9 of those on the road including 2 straight vs Miami last season. Miami is 15-5 SU and 14-6 ATS in the last 20 meetings with the Magic at home and Orlando just 7-13 the last 20 ATS when a favorite of 4 points or less. Gonna make Grant Hill show me he can go back to back effectively and force Orlando to buck some recent tendencies before trusting them in this situation.
<b>3* Minnesota(-14)</b> and <b>3* Minnesota Under(186)</b> This one simply comes down to a game that looks a lot to me like the Sacramento/ Cleveland game from last night. This Denver team is going to struggle mightily to score the ball. They have no true post presence and will be starting two very young an inexperienced forwards in Bowen and Harvey who shot 16.7 and 40% respectively in the pre-season and it doesn't stop there. Some other fine shooting performances include Satterfield at 39% and a woeful time with a ton of turnovers which led to the trade for Chris Whitney, Tskivili(sp) at 31% and no shot discipline whatsoever, Hilario shot 44% and Posey shot well at 47%, but Rodney White also in at 36%. They don't rebound well either and 80% of guys who saw action in the pre-season for the Nuggets turned the ball over more than they had assists. Minnesota will dominate from start to finish here and they are a little banged up as well, so I see a slower paced game and the Wolves on top 95-74.
Good luck all........Bookie
