NBA Today is Crazy

[jtsneaks]

but I am taking the Knicks at +9, this line is too high here with the way the Knicks are playing. DOn't get me wrong the Cavs are a better team just not sure if they are nine points better as they always seem to play down to the team they are playing against.


JT

[brs14ku]

No usually big on totals but my big play today is Detroit/New Orleans OVER 181.

[Wizard]

You have got a point there JT, the Knicks are 9-5 on the road as dogs so far this year, but Cleveland is 11-5 as a home favorite. So that being said there is NO WAY I would touch this game but GLTU tonight anyway.

The Wizard has spoken

[maj69er]

A quick question brsk14u. What makes you think this will go over.? Wouldnt the Pistons play a slow tempo and not over exert themself as they are going to face the spurs next????

Your insight is greatly appreciated...


maj

[brs14ku]

First off they both average allowing more points than this total.
Detroit 91.7
NO 93.4

Second the last game they played against each other was under and only had 166 points scored and that was at Detroit. I think New Orleans will test them a lot more then they did last game and make it closer...thus being higher scoring I think.

Third, Detroit is coming off of a loss and I think they should be good for 100 tonight at least. Leaving New Orleans to pick up 81. New Orleans has scored at least 84 in 9 of the last 10.

Fourth....New Orleans last 4 at "home" 90,107,103,90.

To me that is enough, and i just have a feeling lol. Good Luck whichever end you decide to choose.

[jtsneaks]

I looked at this number too and I also liked the over but stayed off it with the absence of Paul. I do think the Pistons have the capability to top this number and the new style offense allows them to shoot up over this number on almost every given occasion against weaker teams. The Hornets are a good club but Billups should have plenty of room to get quality shots off tonight leaving the inside open for the rest of the boys…


JT

[Demster]

I think if anyone is looking for a solid play you may want to take a look at the Nets.

New Jersey puts its 10-game winning streak on the line against a San Antonio squad that has dominated it the last three seasons. The Spurs have won five straight versus the Nets by an average of 14.4 points. New Jersey has won eight of its last nine on the road and 'covered' five of six as underdogs. San Antonio has prevailed in its last 11 at the SBC Center, though it is just 5-9 in its last 14 as home favorites. The Spurs have slipped below the number in seven of their last nine games.

This is the time to ride the hot hand, even though I don't think NJ can pull off the win here I do believe the +9-1/2 is way to much in this situation. I'm gonna hit this one hard.

[jtsneaks]

Here is some NBA news for today it looks like my Celtics may be willing to shop pierce,


NBA Headlines Around The League
1. Kobe Catches Wilt, Goes For 45 In Victory
2. Rockets' McGrady Out Two Games, Likely More
3. Nowitzki's Game Is Well-Rounded For MVP
4. Trade Talk? Losses Getting To Celtics' Pierce
5. Shaq's Conditioning Not An Issue For Riley
6. McMillian, Blazers Ponder Youth Movement
7. Celtics' Green Preparing For D-League's Showcase

1. Kobe Catches Wilt, Goes For 45 In Victory
In the LOS ANGELES TIMES, Mike Bresnahan writes that "Elgin Baylor,
Wilt Chamberlain and, now, Kobe Bryant. Bryant had 45 points in a 96-90
victory over the Indiana Pacers, becoming the first player since
Chamberlain in November 1964 to score at least 45 points in four consecutive
games. Bryant, who had scored 45, 48 and 50 points in his previous three
games, made 14 of 32 shots and had 10 rebounds and five assists."
http://click.nba.com/index.cfm?n1500...5178686o141444

2. Rockets' McGrady Out Two Games, Likely More
In the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Jonathan Feigen writes that "an MRI on Tracy
McGrady's aching back Monday showed no structural damage. Still, the
severe back spasms that felled him as the first half ended Sunday will
keep him out of the Rockets' back-to-back tonight at Charlotte and
Wednesday at home against Sacramento. McGrady is scheduled to be examined
again Friday and is almost certain to miss time beyond that."
http://click.nba.com/index.cfm?n1500...5178686o141445

3. Nowitzki's Game Is Well-Rounded For MVP
In the USA TODAY, David DuPree writes that "Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas
Mavericks has quietly made himself the front-runner in the NBA's MVP
race. At 7-0 and with a deft outside shot, Nowitzki has long been one of
the league's most difficult matchups. His game is more rounded this
season, and as a result the Mavericks have been among the league's best
teams from the outset."
http://click.nba.com/index.cfm?n1500...5178686o141446

4. Trade Talk? Losses Getting To Celtics' Pierce
In the BOSTON HERALD, Lenny Megliola writes that if "the Celtics don't
turn their dismal season around, Paul Pierce can picture himself in
another uniform before the Feb. 23 trade deadline. And he wouldn't mind
winding up with a contender. Pierce said he might lobby for a trade
himself or it could be instigated by Celtics executive director of
basketball operations Danny Ainge. Some teams would consider Pierce just what
they needed in order to make a deep playoff run."
http://click.nba.com/index.cfm?n1500...5178686o141447

5. Shaq's Conditioning Not An Issue For Riley
In the SUN-SENTINEL, Ira Winderman writes that "Heat coach Pat Riley
said Monday that Shaquille O'Neal's absence from the offense is a product
of opposing defenses and not the center's conditioning. Riley said
O'Neal's 20 points on combined 6 of 15 shooting the past two games do no
signal a step back in the center's fitness. Riley has not addressed
O'Neal's weight since the center said two weeks ago he did not consider it
an issue."
http://click.nba.com/index.cfm?n1500...5178686o141448

6. McMillian, Blazers Ponder Youth Movement
In THE OREGONIAN, Jason Quick writes that if Portland's "season is
supposed to be about developing young players more than winning," when does
Blazers coach Nate McMillian "start extensively playing the likes of
rookies Martell Webster, Jarrett Jack, Sergei Monia and second-year
player Viktor Khryapa." McMillan "admitted there might come a time this
season when a full-blown youth movement will be made, similar to the final
27 games of last season after Maurice Cheeks was fired. But right now,
McMillan said he wants to engrain in his players that there is a right
way to earn playing time."
http://click.nba.com/index.cfm?n1500...5178686o141449

7. Celtics' Green Preparing For D-League's Showcase
In the BOSTON GLOBE, Peter May writes that "Celtics No. 1 pick Gerald
Green reported to the Fayetteville Patriots of the NBA's Development
League yesterday and was going through his first practice a few hours
before the Celtics played the Mavericks." Green "will remain in the North
Carolina city all week and then participate in games Sunday and Monday
in what the Development League is billing as the Martin Luther King
Showcase. The league expects as many as 50 NBA scouts to be in attendance."
http://click.nba.com/index.cfm?n1500...5178686o141450

JT