my convoluted thoughts for tomorrow on some games for my mates
Bucks @ Sixers - This game doesn't interest me too much but I do have some thoughts on it. Richardson back for the Sixers is huge and I think he alone will help the Sixers cover here. The Bucks are seriously lacking effective bigs, rebounding will be in the Sixers favour alongside productivity from their front court. Ellis has his first good game the other day vs the Celts and could continue his form, either way both Jennings and Ellis will always be the same kind of player, a streaky scorer who are unpredictable either way you can guarantee that atleast one of them will get points. The match is one here in two ways I believe, firstly the Sixers bench which I believe has a much more potent scoring potential - especially Nick Young who if he heats up for even a couple of minutes he can stack the points on for you, Hawes is also a great player it does confuse me why he doesnt start but he should do well against the Bucks secondary bigs. The final part of this game that the Sixers should dominate and thus use to control the game is their assists. This comes directly from one dude Jrue Holiday - he has stepped his game up in big ways this season and if he keeps these numbers up he will be considered a top 10 PG in the league. That is the difference between the Sixers and the Bucks in this matchup, the Bucks do not have a pass-first point guard, where Holiday likes to get everyone involved. My lean here is Sixers -3.5
Thunder @ Pistons - Very very interesting line, I like to talk about outside influences to picks not just basketball talk so I will delve a little into this game. +6.5 is a very sneaky line by the bookies, why? Simply because the average punter will look at that and think Thunder all day, 7 points is nothing for a high powered offensive machine against a horrible Detroit Pistons who are yet to record a game. I have no doubt in my mind this will be a top 2 public play and this is an important factor to look into before jumping straight onto the Thunder (keep in mind the public is dominating right now). The Pistons are yet to record a win and they have to be on if not close to a franchise worst start to the year, motivation could not be higher to record a win. On the flip side the Pistons are faced with a huge challenge and it will be a huge sweat till the last shot as OKC can turn it on at any given moment to blow you away by double digits. Although losing 7 games already the Pistons have played only once at home. Having played OKC already we can look at that game and say the Pistons played comendably, they kept it close although Westbrook had a shocking game. Monroe will be aggressive in this game and although he has been quite by his standards he will have a great game tomorrow. I don't mind the secondary unit of Detroit, especially Drummond who has shown some great signs. Look for him to be active off the bench as well contributing on both ends. Although OKC is young they are playing their 4th game in 5 nights. I am leaning towards Detroit here for a small play and may just take the 1H line as i'm scared OKC dominate and ruin the cover late...
Celts @ Bulls - Big conference rival game here and I really like Boston. I am not impressed by Chicago, they have beaten no one impressive yet are still rated highly - I believe they also lost a lot of depth this season in all positions. The Bulls played the Thunder really well and choked at the end but the Celtics offer a completely different match up than the Thunder. My first key point to this game is the PG position, Hinrich is iffy theres a chance he doesn't play and even if he does he wont be 100%. Rondo is an elite point guard and can only really be compared with CP3 everyone else falls short, Rondo will have a field day on the Bulls especially if Hinrich is out. His length will prove difficult as well on the defensive end for whoever he has to guard. The bulls depth at the PG position is horrible. This is a big game for the Celtics who are yet to record a win against a top East side, this will be motivation itself in which the Celtics will show up.
Heat @ Rockets - Awesome spot for Miami here, I really feel comfortable taking the Heat in this one. Wade had an awful game today, he will be back with a vengance tomorrow and if my book has a Wade prop i'll take it. LeBron regardless of his status on his knee will play and will dominate, he is flirting with triple doubles nearly every game. The Heat were down right awful tonight, they were poor from 3 point land and I believe this will change against the Rockets who's perimeter defence will look like a walk in the park after what they faced in Memphis. Another important factor to this game is Harden, who is the heart and soul of the Rockets offense. Wade is a great defender and will likely get the job on Harden. Harden has struggled when vsing good defenders and if Wade is on his game it should be the same story. Heat are generally a great side after coming off a blow out loss, I expect them to be motivated and dominant in Houston. Leans on Heat 1H line and full time line alongside Wade prop.
Bucks @ Sixers - This game doesn't interest me too much but I do have some thoughts on it. Richardson back for the Sixers is huge and I think he alone will help the Sixers cover here. The Bucks are seriously lacking effective bigs, rebounding will be in the Sixers favour alongside productivity from their front court. Ellis has his first good game the other day vs the Celts and could continue his form, either way both Jennings and Ellis will always be the same kind of player, a streaky scorer who are unpredictable either way you can guarantee that atleast one of them will get points. The match is one here in two ways I believe, firstly the Sixers bench which I believe has a much more potent scoring potential - especially Nick Young who if he heats up for even a couple of minutes he can stack the points on for you, Hawes is also a great player it does confuse me why he doesnt start but he should do well against the Bucks secondary bigs. The final part of this game that the Sixers should dominate and thus use to control the game is their assists. This comes directly from one dude Jrue Holiday - he has stepped his game up in big ways this season and if he keeps these numbers up he will be considered a top 10 PG in the league. That is the difference between the Sixers and the Bucks in this matchup, the Bucks do not have a pass-first point guard, where Holiday likes to get everyone involved. My lean here is Sixers -3.5
Thunder @ Pistons - Very very interesting line, I like to talk about outside influences to picks not just basketball talk so I will delve a little into this game. +6.5 is a very sneaky line by the bookies, why? Simply because the average punter will look at that and think Thunder all day, 7 points is nothing for a high powered offensive machine against a horrible Detroit Pistons who are yet to record a game. I have no doubt in my mind this will be a top 2 public play and this is an important factor to look into before jumping straight onto the Thunder (keep in mind the public is dominating right now). The Pistons are yet to record a win and they have to be on if not close to a franchise worst start to the year, motivation could not be higher to record a win. On the flip side the Pistons are faced with a huge challenge and it will be a huge sweat till the last shot as OKC can turn it on at any given moment to blow you away by double digits. Although losing 7 games already the Pistons have played only once at home. Having played OKC already we can look at that game and say the Pistons played comendably, they kept it close although Westbrook had a shocking game. Monroe will be aggressive in this game and although he has been quite by his standards he will have a great game tomorrow. I don't mind the secondary unit of Detroit, especially Drummond who has shown some great signs. Look for him to be active off the bench as well contributing on both ends. Although OKC is young they are playing their 4th game in 5 nights. I am leaning towards Detroit here for a small play and may just take the 1H line as i'm scared OKC dominate and ruin the cover late...
Celts @ Bulls - Big conference rival game here and I really like Boston. I am not impressed by Chicago, they have beaten no one impressive yet are still rated highly - I believe they also lost a lot of depth this season in all positions. The Bulls played the Thunder really well and choked at the end but the Celtics offer a completely different match up than the Thunder. My first key point to this game is the PG position, Hinrich is iffy theres a chance he doesn't play and even if he does he wont be 100%. Rondo is an elite point guard and can only really be compared with CP3 everyone else falls short, Rondo will have a field day on the Bulls especially if Hinrich is out. His length will prove difficult as well on the defensive end for whoever he has to guard. The bulls depth at the PG position is horrible. This is a big game for the Celtics who are yet to record a win against a top East side, this will be motivation itself in which the Celtics will show up.
Heat @ Rockets - Awesome spot for Miami here, I really feel comfortable taking the Heat in this one. Wade had an awful game today, he will be back with a vengance tomorrow and if my book has a Wade prop i'll take it. LeBron regardless of his status on his knee will play and will dominate, he is flirting with triple doubles nearly every game. The Heat were down right awful tonight, they were poor from 3 point land and I believe this will change against the Rockets who's perimeter defence will look like a walk in the park after what they faced in Memphis. Another important factor to this game is Harden, who is the heart and soul of the Rockets offense. Wade is a great defender and will likely get the job on Harden. Harden has struggled when vsing good defenders and if Wade is on his game it should be the same story. Heat are generally a great side after coming off a blow out loss, I expect them to be motivated and dominant in Houston. Leans on Heat 1H line and full time line alongside Wade prop.
