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Here are my plays for the night. I am going to the Jazz-Lakers game so I might throw some scrilla on the Jazz near gametime.
Cleveland Cavaliers -3
Cleveland was 6-2 in the preseason and are healthy, as opposed to the Indiana Pacers that come into this game missing Jermaine O'Neal, Jeff Foster, Reggie Miller and Anthony Johnson. That's three fifths of their starting five. It leaves them with a big hole in the low post. Scott Polard will start at center with either rookie David Harrison or Austin Croshere playing Power Forward. None of them are used to playing starter's minutes and because of injuries Indiana will have a short bench and I am guessing they will tire in the second half of the game.
The problem is they are up against Zydraunas Ilgauskas, who apart from Shaq, is probably the top offensive center in the league. Nobody Indiana is throwing out there tonight will be able to stop the big man from scoring. He averaged 14 points in preseason with limited minutes and should control the glass and the paint all night at will.
Carlos Boozer was one of my favorite players last year and he will be missed. He's been replaced with Drew Gooden. Gooden's been a lazy ass but see's this as a fresh start and Silas has him motivated to have a good season. He averaged 12 points and 10 boards in preseason and I expect him to have a decent season, at least for the first couple of months.
Big advantage for the Cavs with Ilgauskas, Gooden, and Traylor coming off the bench. They should dominate the boards and score some points against this makeshift front court.
I think Artest will make it difficult for James as he is a solid defender. But Lebron is unselfish and doesnt mind dishing it off. And this is the home opener and he has improved his jump shot so despite Artests defence I do expect him to contribute. Stephan Jackson is lined up with Lucious Harris and neither one can defend. Offensively I think they are pretty much even, both jump shooters, but I give the edge to Jackson as his team is relying on him for offense with the injuries.
McGinnis is a huge part of this team and before he got injured the Cavs were hot. He really opens up the offense and with him healthy, and Indiana not, I expect the Cavs to come away a winner in their home opener. Pacers keep it close early, but Cavs pull away late.
Memphis Grizzlies -13
I know it's early in the season, and this line is big, but the Wizards are gonna be in trouble. They are missing their starting backcourt Larry Hughes and Gilbert Arenas. They're missing their starting center Brendan Haywood, Kwame Brown, Steve Blake and Etan Thomas. Everybody who was supposed to give them a chance this season is sitting tonight. They're playing with a short bench and that's trouble when you're playing against a team that probably has the best bench and most depth in the league. The starting lineup the Wizards are putting on the floor tonight have combined for 122 starts last season.
Now the Grizzlies. They were solid last season and kept their team the same except for the addition of a tough rebounder in Brian Cardinal. They were 6-2 in the preseason and Wells, Swift and Watson all performed well in the preseason. Grizzlies have the advantage at every position. Their second unit is better than the Wizards starting 5. Wizards will have trouble setting up, and running the floor with all these bench players, while the Grizzlies have so much chemistry with eachother that they will make Washington look silly.
These guys were passing the ball beautifully in the preseason and last year, and should have no trouble scoring all night. They will give the home crowd a show tonight. Jason Williams, Posey, Gasol, Wright, Miller, Bonzi, Swift, Earl Watson, Battier, and Cardinal against Dixon, Jefferies, Hayes, and Jamison. Jamison is in a tough position tonight as he will have no support, and the Wizards have nothing coming off the bench.
13 points seems like alot but this early in the season, but there is such a huge discrepancy here that you have to take it.
Portland Trailblazers +1
The Blazers had a strong finish to last season after making some trades and I expect that to carry over to this season. They've never been a good road team but what better way to change that than by starting a new season. They are very strong underneath the basket and added Van Exel to help the backcourt. I don't expect much from Golden State this year, but I do like this Portland team.
As far as defence goes, Ratliff is the best defender/shot blocker in the league. Combine him with Randolph and Abdur Rahim and you have two big men who can grab rebounds and score points. Portlands very inconsistent, and seemed lazy at times last year, but I think a fresh start will have them motivated. The big men should control the rebounds tonight and score down low. Im expecting Van Exel to come on off the bench. Combined with Darius Miles they got some good energy and scoring coming off the bench.
As for the Warriors, I see them having to settle for jump shots because of the size Portland brings. Jason Richardson should have a decent game, but the presence of Ratliff underneath may prevent him from driving. Im banking on the fact that his long range jumpers and 3's wont connect as much this early in the season. And apart from him, the Warriors dont have much in terms of offense. They've added Najera and Dale Davis, but those guys aren't gonna get you any points. Foyle and Murphy were injured most of last season and should still be a bit rusty as they havent played much basketball.
I think Ratliff, Randolph, and Rahim can take care of Foyle, Murphy, and Dunleavy. I give Portland the advantage on the glass, on the bench and an even matchup at the guard position. Golden State has home court but I think Portland makes it their goal to do better on the road this season.
Hawks/Suns over 192
Don't like taking overs this early in the season but this number is too low. Phoenix scored over 100 points in all their preseason games except for 1 where they scored 99. The starting 5 have gelled beautifully for the Suns and they can all score points. You know what they can't do, play defence. There is probably no one on either team that can play defence.
Antoine Walker led the league in scoring in the preseason and is being guarded by Shaun Marion, who is probably one of the laziest defenders in the league. Al Harrington was a nice pickup and he should get some points too. Jon Barry, can move the ball up quickly and I expect both teams to run and gun.
Lets take a look at Phoenix. Nash bringing the ball up floor, with Joe Johnson, Quentin Richardson, Marion and Amare. These guys are all young and all fast. The thing with playing run and gun, is even if your shooting is off, you are not using much clock, and even if you miss shots, your taking a ton of attempts that the game sails over the total. This was evident with Orlando last year.
Off the bench the Suns have Barbosa and Jacobsen, two more guys that can score points and push the ball. Throw away the defence and score some points. Im taking the over so....SCORE YOU BASTARDS.
Cleveland Cavaliers -3
Cleveland was 6-2 in the preseason and are healthy, as opposed to the Indiana Pacers that come into this game missing Jermaine O'Neal, Jeff Foster, Reggie Miller and Anthony Johnson. That's three fifths of their starting five. It leaves them with a big hole in the low post. Scott Polard will start at center with either rookie David Harrison or Austin Croshere playing Power Forward. None of them are used to playing starter's minutes and because of injuries Indiana will have a short bench and I am guessing they will tire in the second half of the game.
The problem is they are up against Zydraunas Ilgauskas, who apart from Shaq, is probably the top offensive center in the league. Nobody Indiana is throwing out there tonight will be able to stop the big man from scoring. He averaged 14 points in preseason with limited minutes and should control the glass and the paint all night at will.
Carlos Boozer was one of my favorite players last year and he will be missed. He's been replaced with Drew Gooden. Gooden's been a lazy ass but see's this as a fresh start and Silas has him motivated to have a good season. He averaged 12 points and 10 boards in preseason and I expect him to have a decent season, at least for the first couple of months.
Big advantage for the Cavs with Ilgauskas, Gooden, and Traylor coming off the bench. They should dominate the boards and score some points against this makeshift front court.
I think Artest will make it difficult for James as he is a solid defender. But Lebron is unselfish and doesnt mind dishing it off. And this is the home opener and he has improved his jump shot so despite Artests defence I do expect him to contribute. Stephan Jackson is lined up with Lucious Harris and neither one can defend. Offensively I think they are pretty much even, both jump shooters, but I give the edge to Jackson as his team is relying on him for offense with the injuries.
McGinnis is a huge part of this team and before he got injured the Cavs were hot. He really opens up the offense and with him healthy, and Indiana not, I expect the Cavs to come away a winner in their home opener. Pacers keep it close early, but Cavs pull away late.
Memphis Grizzlies -13
I know it's early in the season, and this line is big, but the Wizards are gonna be in trouble. They are missing their starting backcourt Larry Hughes and Gilbert Arenas. They're missing their starting center Brendan Haywood, Kwame Brown, Steve Blake and Etan Thomas. Everybody who was supposed to give them a chance this season is sitting tonight. They're playing with a short bench and that's trouble when you're playing against a team that probably has the best bench and most depth in the league. The starting lineup the Wizards are putting on the floor tonight have combined for 122 starts last season.
Now the Grizzlies. They were solid last season and kept their team the same except for the addition of a tough rebounder in Brian Cardinal. They were 6-2 in the preseason and Wells, Swift and Watson all performed well in the preseason. Grizzlies have the advantage at every position. Their second unit is better than the Wizards starting 5. Wizards will have trouble setting up, and running the floor with all these bench players, while the Grizzlies have so much chemistry with eachother that they will make Washington look silly.
These guys were passing the ball beautifully in the preseason and last year, and should have no trouble scoring all night. They will give the home crowd a show tonight. Jason Williams, Posey, Gasol, Wright, Miller, Bonzi, Swift, Earl Watson, Battier, and Cardinal against Dixon, Jefferies, Hayes, and Jamison. Jamison is in a tough position tonight as he will have no support, and the Wizards have nothing coming off the bench.
13 points seems like alot but this early in the season, but there is such a huge discrepancy here that you have to take it.
Portland Trailblazers +1
The Blazers had a strong finish to last season after making some trades and I expect that to carry over to this season. They've never been a good road team but what better way to change that than by starting a new season. They are very strong underneath the basket and added Van Exel to help the backcourt. I don't expect much from Golden State this year, but I do like this Portland team.
As far as defence goes, Ratliff is the best defender/shot blocker in the league. Combine him with Randolph and Abdur Rahim and you have two big men who can grab rebounds and score points. Portlands very inconsistent, and seemed lazy at times last year, but I think a fresh start will have them motivated. The big men should control the rebounds tonight and score down low. Im expecting Van Exel to come on off the bench. Combined with Darius Miles they got some good energy and scoring coming off the bench.
As for the Warriors, I see them having to settle for jump shots because of the size Portland brings. Jason Richardson should have a decent game, but the presence of Ratliff underneath may prevent him from driving. Im banking on the fact that his long range jumpers and 3's wont connect as much this early in the season. And apart from him, the Warriors dont have much in terms of offense. They've added Najera and Dale Davis, but those guys aren't gonna get you any points. Foyle and Murphy were injured most of last season and should still be a bit rusty as they havent played much basketball.
I think Ratliff, Randolph, and Rahim can take care of Foyle, Murphy, and Dunleavy. I give Portland the advantage on the glass, on the bench and an even matchup at the guard position. Golden State has home court but I think Portland makes it their goal to do better on the road this season.
Hawks/Suns over 192
Don't like taking overs this early in the season but this number is too low. Phoenix scored over 100 points in all their preseason games except for 1 where they scored 99. The starting 5 have gelled beautifully for the Suns and they can all score points. You know what they can't do, play defence. There is probably no one on either team that can play defence.
Antoine Walker led the league in scoring in the preseason and is being guarded by Shaun Marion, who is probably one of the laziest defenders in the league. Al Harrington was a nice pickup and he should get some points too. Jon Barry, can move the ball up quickly and I expect both teams to run and gun.
Lets take a look at Phoenix. Nash bringing the ball up floor, with Joe Johnson, Quentin Richardson, Marion and Amare. These guys are all young and all fast. The thing with playing run and gun, is even if your shooting is off, you are not using much clock, and even if you miss shots, your taking a ton of attempts that the game sails over the total. This was evident with Orlando last year.
Off the bench the Suns have Barbosa and Jacobsen, two more guys that can score points and push the ball. Throw away the defence and score some points. Im taking the over so....SCORE YOU BASTARDS.
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