NBA Friday: Take Your Pick
As the midway point of the NBA season fast approaches, let's take a look at what's on the docket for Friday 1-14-11.
Detroit at Toronto: The Pistons come into this game struggling mightily, and guard Richard Hamilton received his first DNP Coach's Decision of his career. Toronto isn't much better, but Bargnani and DeRozan should be the one-two punch to pace the Raptors to victory.
Milwaukee at Philadelphia: The Bucks have been one of the disappointments of the NBA season thus far, and the injury to second year phenom point guard Brandon Jennings hasn't helped. The 76ers are a young and exciting squad to watch. The core of Jrue Holiday, Thaddeus Young and Lou Williams should be enough to get the W at home for Philly.
Chicago at Indiana: The Bulls are a team to be reckoned with when at full strength. However, losing Joakim Noah hurt this team more than you can imagine. The do it all glue guy of the Bulls makes this team complete; until his return we won't see the best of the Bulls. The Pacers have always been a much better team at home, and they have one of the most under the radar players in the NBA in Danny Granger. Bulls are the better team, but for this night I'll roll with the Pacers.
Sacramento at New York: The Kings are the worst team in the West record wise, but they have two young threats in Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins. Coming off a tough loss at Boston had to serve as a lesson as to what it takes to be one of the best teams in the league. The Knicks are coming off a 2-2 road trip out West, and it's their first game back at home coming off the cross country trip. The Knicks had a day of rest to shake off the jet lag, but this has dangerous game written all over it. I see the Kings keeping this close to the wire, but Amare Stoudemire will be too much to handle in the end giving the Garden crowd a win to start their weekend.
Charlotte at Boston: I still wonder if the Bobcats are going to ever get over the hump with Michael Jordan calling the shots in the player personnel department. Didn't we already see that flop in Washington? However, I like how the Bobcats are quietly riding a four game win streak coming into this game. I do have major concerns, as I don't like their 4-12 record on the road. The Celtics are the beast of the East when healthy, but the loss of Kevin Garnett has made this team slightly mortal. They sport a 17-3 home record, but last Monday they fell at home to the Rockets. I'm going out on a limb and taking the Bobcats to pull the upset. Yeah I said it, I can't even believe it myself!
Dallas at San Antonio: The Mavericks were the hottest team in the league a couple of weeks ago, as they sat at 24-5 and were on a 17 out of 18 games win streak. Then Dirk Nowitzki went down, followed by Caron Butler's out for the year injury and then came a six losses in their next eight games. Their division rival, the Spurs, have been the major benefactor of these injuries as they have seemingly pulled away from the Mavs. The Spurs have been on a torrid pace this year, as their 33-6 record is the best record in the league. P.S. they are also 20-2 at home this year. Nuff said, give me the Spurs.
New Orleans at Houston: The Hornets just ended Orlando's 10-game winning streak in the Bayou South, but they hit the road for this contest. Chris Paul and David West is a solid combo, but the Hornets have struggled to find consistent help from the supporting cast. The Rockets have lost six of seven but that lone win came on the road against the Celtics, go figure?! I tend to think that win will boost the Rockets confidence at home, and will be just enough to propel Houston to the home victory.
Cleveland at Utah: The Cavs come limping in to Utah losers of 21 of their last 22 games. If it wasn't bad enough that LeBron is gone, but this team is also ravaged by injuries. Anderson Varejao is out for the year, and Daniel Gibson along with Anthony Parker are also out. It's basically the Cavs summer league team out there. Utah is right on the heels of the Thunder for first place in the Northwest Division, and I can't see a Jerry Sloan coached team slipping up in this one at home.
Portland at Phoenix: These two teams were probably considered playoff teams at the start of the year. Injuries and overhauled rosters have both teams heading in the wrong direction at this point in the season. All-star guard Brandon Roy appears to be done for the year, as he is having surgery on both knees. The Blazers will have to ride young star LaMarcus Aldridge the rest of the way if they are to secure a spot in the playoffs. The Suns have fan favorite Steve Nash left but this is a team sinking fast. Give me the Blazers on the road for the victory.
L.A. Clippers at Golden State: Record wise these teams aren't in the thick of things, but I'm calling this the game of the night. If you like dunks, scoring and highlight plays this is the game for you. The Clippers believe it or not are actually playing good ball right now behind the consistent play of the human highlight film Blake Griffin and the budding superstar Eric Gordon. Fresh off their home upset of the Miami Heat, the Clips look to take their three-game win streak on the road. The Warriors always play exciting, run and gun style at home and their crowd is second to none energy wise. They just missed catching the Lakers at home the other night, as Monta Ellis dropped 38 points in the loss. Despite this game being played in the Bay, the Clippers take this one.
New Jersey at L.A. Lakers: The Nets have lost 8 of 9, and the only real intrigue in this game is the return of longtime Lakers Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic. The Lakers, early in the season seemed to be in sleepwalk mode, but they are getting their act together racking off 6 straight victories heading into this one. This one doesn't have the appealing Hollywood script to it, but the Lakers should follow the script to victory.
