Blazers-Bobcats: The Gambler Weighs In

Opponent: Charlotte
Line: -1.5

Gambler's Record: 16-18-1

"She falls down a well, her eyes go cross. She gets kicked by a mule. They go back. I don't know..."
- Cousin Eddie, Vegas Vacation

Does anybody know what's happening with this team? They continue to surprise (both good and bad) in every game.

Playing Houston close was impressive in its own right, and Sheed already covered how improbable the win in Dallas was.

If you saw that coming your last name must be Donaghy.

I thought I'd nailed the weeks leading up to the All-Star break with my "Perfect Storm" theory, but maybe that was trumped by the idea that people forgot about 'Dre? Is it that simple? Does having a veteran point guard give us a realistic chance to win every night? Are we really this deep?

Could the answer to all of these questions be "yes"? Yes.

The Bobcats come to town tonight. They have some athletic swingmen who can score. They've been playing well, but they're still an abysmal 5-17 on the road. That's a pretty telling stat and one I'm hesitant to go against. The Rose Garden will be on a high after the Dallas win and the crowd will be jacked. I think that—and a dose of 'Dre—carries the day.

Am I right? At this point Cousin Eddie's guess is as good as mine...

Take the Blazers.