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Houston Rockets +6.5
The World is on the Detroit Pistons to cover this game and somehow I find myself on the other side of the fence. I like what the Pistons did last season but I just don't think people understand what this Houston team is capable of. Let's break it down by position. In the center of it all, you have two massive guys in Yao Ming and Ben Wallace. Each have their duties on their respective teams and I consider that matchup quite even for what each player provides. At the Power Forwards position, I think a lot of people underestimate Juwan Howard and the presence he brings. Sure Rasheed Wallace is a better overall player but I think Juwan can matchup nicely to Rasheed in this game. The biggest mismatch of the night will be the T-Mac versus Rip Hamilton. I mean T-Mac is in a league of his own and the more the Pistons focus on Yao, the more T-Mac will get some open looks. I think hands down, T-Mac controls this game and RIP is mediocre. You then have Jimmy Jackson who is superior to Tayshaun Prince in several different aspects of the game. In a one-on-one, i'll take Jackson. The Point Guard position is where the Pistons have the big advantage. Tyronne Lue should help out on the Rockets but I don't see him being as effective as Billups when it comes to running the floor. The road team has won 8 of the last 10 in this series. My numbers have the Rockets possibly winning this game by 1.
Sacramento Kings +4
Sacramento Kings-Dallas Mavericks 'Under' 205
The Kings are the kind of team that will shock you when you think they are down. They are coming off a 4-1 series win over the Mavs in the playoffs last season and you can bet they will be reminded of that several times. When you break things down by position...The Kings have the advantage at just about every position in this game apart from the Power Forward. Dirk Nowitzki is the key to the Mavs having any success in this game and I think he can outplay Chris Webber all night long. Eric Dampier is a very valuable player for the Mavs but cmon...Brad Miller is one step up from this guy and Miller will take Dampier to school. The Mavericks will most likely have to start an injured Marquis Daniels to matchup with Bobby Jackson. A lot of people say Jackson is only effective off the bench but how can we tell? I'm not impressed with Daniels at all. Michael Finley is also playing hurt and will share time with Josh Howards. Regardless, Peja is the man and I expect 30+ points from the long bomber. PG Jason Terry joins the Mavs this season and will run the floor against the likes of Mike Bibby. Give me Bibby any day. Sure the Kings have a short bench with Doug Christie and Greg Ostertag out but I think they can get the job done. The total on this game is ridiculous and I see this game staying in the 190's.
Denver Nuggets +3
Denver Nuggets-Los Angeles Lakers 'Under' 192.5
The Denver Nuggets have always played well when playing against the Lakers, covering the spread in three of the last four games (and that was with Shaq on the Lakers). This is a brand new Lakers team and it will be interesting to see how they come out and play. The Nuggest are practically the same as last season with the addition of Kenyon Martin. K-Mart will be matched up with Lamar Odom and both players bring the same amount of value to their respective teams. The duo of Koby Bryant and Odom should be fun to watch. At Center, Marcus Camby has come a long way for the Nuggets and could be one of the league's most improved players. I will call for him to outplay Brian Grant and possibly make Denver one of the most dangerous teams 1 to 5 in the league. Voshon Lenars will evidently get badly outplayed by Koby, so hand that one to the Lakers. Carmelo Anthony vs. Caron Butler. If this ain't a joke, I don't know what is. Anthony is so much better than Butler (who I think is overrated) and Melo will have a great game. At Point Guard, Andre Miller will run the floor a lot better than Chucky 'Choke' Atkins. I still have no clue why the Lakers are favorite in this game but I am going with the dogs. My numbers call for the Nuggest to win this game and keep the totals in the 160-175 range.
The World is on the Detroit Pistons to cover this game and somehow I find myself on the other side of the fence. I like what the Pistons did last season but I just don't think people understand what this Houston team is capable of. Let's break it down by position. In the center of it all, you have two massive guys in Yao Ming and Ben Wallace. Each have their duties on their respective teams and I consider that matchup quite even for what each player provides. At the Power Forwards position, I think a lot of people underestimate Juwan Howard and the presence he brings. Sure Rasheed Wallace is a better overall player but I think Juwan can matchup nicely to Rasheed in this game. The biggest mismatch of the night will be the T-Mac versus Rip Hamilton. I mean T-Mac is in a league of his own and the more the Pistons focus on Yao, the more T-Mac will get some open looks. I think hands down, T-Mac controls this game and RIP is mediocre. You then have Jimmy Jackson who is superior to Tayshaun Prince in several different aspects of the game. In a one-on-one, i'll take Jackson. The Point Guard position is where the Pistons have the big advantage. Tyronne Lue should help out on the Rockets but I don't see him being as effective as Billups when it comes to running the floor. The road team has won 8 of the last 10 in this series. My numbers have the Rockets possibly winning this game by 1.
Sacramento Kings +4
Sacramento Kings-Dallas Mavericks 'Under' 205
The Kings are the kind of team that will shock you when you think they are down. They are coming off a 4-1 series win over the Mavs in the playoffs last season and you can bet they will be reminded of that several times. When you break things down by position...The Kings have the advantage at just about every position in this game apart from the Power Forward. Dirk Nowitzki is the key to the Mavs having any success in this game and I think he can outplay Chris Webber all night long. Eric Dampier is a very valuable player for the Mavs but cmon...Brad Miller is one step up from this guy and Miller will take Dampier to school. The Mavericks will most likely have to start an injured Marquis Daniels to matchup with Bobby Jackson. A lot of people say Jackson is only effective off the bench but how can we tell? I'm not impressed with Daniels at all. Michael Finley is also playing hurt and will share time with Josh Howards. Regardless, Peja is the man and I expect 30+ points from the long bomber. PG Jason Terry joins the Mavs this season and will run the floor against the likes of Mike Bibby. Give me Bibby any day. Sure the Kings have a short bench with Doug Christie and Greg Ostertag out but I think they can get the job done. The total on this game is ridiculous and I see this game staying in the 190's.
Denver Nuggets +3
Denver Nuggets-Los Angeles Lakers 'Under' 192.5
The Denver Nuggets have always played well when playing against the Lakers, covering the spread in three of the last four games (and that was with Shaq on the Lakers). This is a brand new Lakers team and it will be interesting to see how they come out and play. The Nuggest are practically the same as last season with the addition of Kenyon Martin. K-Mart will be matched up with Lamar Odom and both players bring the same amount of value to their respective teams. The duo of Koby Bryant and Odom should be fun to watch. At Center, Marcus Camby has come a long way for the Nuggets and could be one of the league's most improved players. I will call for him to outplay Brian Grant and possibly make Denver one of the most dangerous teams 1 to 5 in the league. Voshon Lenars will evidently get badly outplayed by Koby, so hand that one to the Lakers. Carmelo Anthony vs. Caron Butler. If this ain't a joke, I don't know what is. Anthony is so much better than Butler (who I think is overrated) and Melo will have a great game. At Point Guard, Andre Miller will run the floor a lot better than Chucky 'Choke' Atkins. I still have no clue why the Lakers are favorite in this game but I am going with the dogs. My numbers call for the Nuggest to win this game and keep the totals in the 160-175 range.