Hey guys I'm new to the SBR and after reading the forum for past couple of weeks I decided to start my own thread. Its a bit funny that I'm starting this on the last day of the year, but nevertheless I love nba basketball so it doesn't really matter.
First game that got my attention was Chicago-Orlando. Orlando hasn't lost 2 games in a row since first two games in the season when they started 0:2, but they weren't playing as good of a basketball back then as opposed to now.
The two already met in the beginning of the season where Orlando won it narrowly after already leading by 17 in the mid of third quarter. Gooden was huge in that game and he is questionable for this game along with Deng. So I presume the Bulls will get outrebounded and outscored in the paint and there will be a lot of weight on the backs of D-Rose and Gordon who will fought a hard battle with Nelson and Bogans. On the other hand Pietrus is questionable for the Magic and he could be a big help, especially with Bogans shooting so badly.
Key matchup: Nelson vs Rose
X Factor: Turkoglu (he's been streaky this season much more than last)
Number's game: Chicago is one of the worst defensive teams in the league allowing 102.5 points per game, Orlando is 16:1 when scoring at least 100 points. Orlando is 6:1 ATS in the last 7 games on the road and they're 4:1 SU on the road games in Chicago.
So my pick is Orlando at -5.5 (bought a point cause of obvious reasons) with 8/10 units.
The other game I like is LA Clippers vs Philadelphia. This is the battle between two teams on a 4 game losing streak. Phila lost to Indiana and then had a very tough schedule and lost to Boston, Denver and Utah on the road. They're looking for the road win against Clippers who are terrible without Randolph in the lineup and he is very likely gonna miss this match. These two teams are probably the biggest disappointments in both conferences, cause they made some big trades in the off-season but are really struggling to get anything going. But Philadelphia is at least playing decent basketball and are still in the hunt for the playoffs, which cannot be said about the Clippers.
Key Matchup: Young vs Thornton
X Factor: Marreese Speights (He's been very solid in the absence of Brand and will have to work hard against Clipper's frontcourt which is a rebounding force even without Kaman and Randolph.
Number's Game: The Clippers are shooting 35% from the field and are averaging 81.5 points per game in this 4 game losing streak, they're playing the worst basketball in the league atm.
My pick is Philadelphia at -3, 7/10 units.
Also I'm waiting for Denver's hc.
First game that got my attention was Chicago-Orlando. Orlando hasn't lost 2 games in a row since first two games in the season when they started 0:2, but they weren't playing as good of a basketball back then as opposed to now.
The two already met in the beginning of the season where Orlando won it narrowly after already leading by 17 in the mid of third quarter. Gooden was huge in that game and he is questionable for this game along with Deng. So I presume the Bulls will get outrebounded and outscored in the paint and there will be a lot of weight on the backs of D-Rose and Gordon who will fought a hard battle with Nelson and Bogans. On the other hand Pietrus is questionable for the Magic and he could be a big help, especially with Bogans shooting so badly.
Key matchup: Nelson vs Rose
X Factor: Turkoglu (he's been streaky this season much more than last)
Number's game: Chicago is one of the worst defensive teams in the league allowing 102.5 points per game, Orlando is 16:1 when scoring at least 100 points. Orlando is 6:1 ATS in the last 7 games on the road and they're 4:1 SU on the road games in Chicago.
So my pick is Orlando at -5.5 (bought a point cause of obvious reasons) with 8/10 units.
The other game I like is LA Clippers vs Philadelphia. This is the battle between two teams on a 4 game losing streak. Phila lost to Indiana and then had a very tough schedule and lost to Boston, Denver and Utah on the road. They're looking for the road win against Clippers who are terrible without Randolph in the lineup and he is very likely gonna miss this match. These two teams are probably the biggest disappointments in both conferences, cause they made some big trades in the off-season but are really struggling to get anything going. But Philadelphia is at least playing decent basketball and are still in the hunt for the playoffs, which cannot be said about the Clippers.
Key Matchup: Young vs Thornton
X Factor: Marreese Speights (He's been very solid in the absence of Brand and will have to work hard against Clipper's frontcourt which is a rebounding force even without Kaman and Randolph.
Number's Game: The Clippers are shooting 35% from the field and are averaging 81.5 points per game in this 4 game losing streak, they're playing the worst basketball in the league atm.
My pick is Philadelphia at -3, 7/10 units.
Also I'm waiting for Denver's hc.
