Coach, are we going to lose ever again? (USATSI)
There are approximately 10,000 games on the NBA schedule Friday as the league picks up again after the holiday, so you get a pretty wide array of choices. It's too early to see much of anything with sustainability but a few early trends have emerged. Here's a quick hit look a some of the games Friday.
For all of Friday's picks, click here.
Bulls at Celtics (+1): Don't go near the Bulls right now. Derrick Rose is basically an unstable nuclear device, not something to juggle. Pau Gasol played back to back heavy minutes, but that was two days ago. Taj Gibson's probably not back, and who knows with Joakim Noah. They're 3-7 ATS as as a favorite, and 5-10 ATS overall.
I pick every game, so I'm taking Chicago, because this is the last game of a frustrating road trip for them, they had three full days off since Tuesday's loss to Denver, and well, Rose could play, right? But you should consider them radioactive.
Warriors at Hornets (+8): Oh hey, the Warriors are in "always bull-rush" land and the Hornets in a "fade like a high-top" zone. This ain't rocket science. The Warriors are 3-1 vs. the East ATS this season, Charlotte's 2-7 vs. the West and reeling. This ain't rocket science, trust the Dubs.
Mavericks at Raptors (-3.5): It's just enough to sucker you in, to make you go in either way. I'll ride the Raptors, based on Dallas' recent troubles. (Overtime vs. the Knicks? Really?). Dirk should absolutely feast in this game, as should Chandler Parsons (but then, Parsons has been a mess this year.) But Kyle Lowry has been lethal, especially in the post, and Lou Williams (LOU WILLIAMS?!) has been out of his mind scoring for the past two weeks.
Toronto's bound to come back to Earth at some point, and the Mavericks are as good as any, but the Raptors have beaten the last two West opponents to step into The North or whatever, and 3.5 is easy to do with free throws late... which the Raptors have been great at drawing.
Knicks at Thunder (-6.5): The Knicks are frisky, even without Melo, and the Thunder with their injuries, are unreliable. But then, why is the line so big? Makes you think the rumors of Russell Westbrook's imminent return could be true.
Kings at Spurs (-6): The Spurs have been on a roll, but are still just 2-4 vs. the spread at home. The Kings manage to be in every game, and toppled San Antonio earlier this month. Six is just a big too high, no matter how impressive the Spurs have looked vs. scrubs lately.
Grizzlies at Blazers (-3.5): This seems pretty sweet, given that, you know, Memphis is the best team in the league right now. But Portland is 6-2 at home as a favorite. The Grizzlies are 3-0 as road dogs, but Portland at home is another sort of beast.
Timberwolves at Lakers (-5.5): What's that? The Lakers are favored in a non-Sixers game? By more than two points? Pardon me while I run over literally every human being in my way to get to a book.
YOUR NOPE OF THE WEEK: Pelicans at Hawks (-2.5): Nope, not even a little bit. Not even a slice. Not even a nibble of this one. Two teams that will drive you absolutely guano. Stay. Away.
WOULD YOU BELIEVE: The Pacers are 7-0 as a road dog against the spread this year. Seven-and-oh. Something to keep in mind next week.
HEADS UP, THE EAST SUCKS: Eastern Conference teams are 21-47 vs. Western Conference opponents ATS this season.
Basketball Hot News
Monty Williams wants Anthony Davis to take at least 20 shots per game
Anthony Davis is making the leap we all expected him to make, becoming a superstar and taking the NBA by storm. Pelicans coach Monty Williams wants to make sure Davis gets plenty of touches, saying he wants the Brow to take at least 20 shots per game.
From the Times-Picayune‘s John Reid:
”Anthony cannot be in a game and not touch the ball,”Williams said after his meeting with players. ”We have to have an effort to get him at least 20 shots every night. ”And that’s on me too. As much as I draw up plays for him, run the offense through him, the guys on the floor has to know it. When they don’t do it, I’ve got to make sure they get him the ball. Because he’s not a selfish player, he’s going to make the right plays. And our guys know that.”
So far this season, Davis is averaging 17.7 shot attempts per game through 13 games. His numbers have been ridiculous: 25.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 3.4 blocks per game. If the Pelicans make the playoffs, he will likely be the frontrunner for the league’s MVP trophy. Nobody in the NBA is playing better than him this season, period.
It’s good that Williams recognizes that and wants him to get the ball more.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment