McGrady back as Rockets meet Mavericks
Tracy McGrady made his return to the Rockets earlier this week after spending nine months rehabbing his left knee. So far the results have been mixed with T-Mac coming off the bench in two games and Houston going 1-1 straight up and at the window. The Rockets now travel up Interstate 45 to Big D for a tough match Friday evening against the Mavericks in an in-state matchup between Southwest Division rivals.
Have we already seen the last of Allen Iverson? Just five games into his reunion tour with the Philadelphia 76ers, Iverson will be back in civilian clothes Friday night against the Boston Celtics.
He’s been diagnosed with arthritis in his left knee and a bruised left shoulder – injuries that have limited the former MVP to a career-low 16.3 points and 4.4 assists per 36 minutes since returning to Philadelphia.
Iverson’s status has yet to be determined, and while it may be too early to put the final nail in his NBA coffin, we’ve seen small problems become big problems this late in his career.
Lou Williams is still out of commission, so watch the Iverson situation closely. There’s not much talent left in the Philly backcourt without either of those two gentlemen.
Houston at Dallas (-5, 194½)
Friday, Dec 18 - 8:30 p.m. (ET)
Speaking of injured veteran superstars, Tracy McGrady has finally been given the green light to play after nine months of rehab following the dreaded microfracture surgery on his left knee.
McGrady put in eight minutes off the bench in each of his first two games and was overmatched by Carmelo Anthony in Wednesday’s 111-101 loss to the Denver Nuggets (-8½ at home). It could be a while before McGrady rounds into condition and is able to contribute on defense.
Defense is what keeps the Rockets above water these days at 14-11 (15-10 ATS). McGrady’s first two games back went 'over' the posted total to break a string of eight consecutive 'under' results. Game Three will be a tough test against the Dallas Mavericks (19-7 SU, 13-12 ATS), the top team in the Southwest Division and loaded with talent. The Mavs have only covered two of their last seven, but they’ve won five in a row since Josh Howard’s return to active duty.
Dallas is enjoying a rare moment with a completely full and healthy roster. Newcomer Shawn Marion (15.65 PER) has been useful, albeit in decline at age 31, and coach Rick Carlisle has tightened his bench considerably of late to maximize results.
Houston, meanwhile, is in the middle of a tough stretch of 10 games in 20 days, eight of them on the road. The Mavs are 7-3 SU and ATS in their last 10 versus the Rockets and in good shape to stay trendy. The early betting odds had Dallas laying five points with a total of 194½.
Portland at Miami
Sunday, Dec 20 - 6:00 p.m. (ET)
The Trail Blazers (16-11 SU, 13-13-1 ATS) were down in the mouth after losing center Greg Oden for likely the rest of the season with a fractured kneecap. But they’re hanging in there at 3-3 SU and 3-2-1 ATS without their big man, including Thursday’s come-from-behind win over the Phoenix Suns (+1½ road dogs).
Portland’s deep roster has been put to the test with injuries to Oden, Travis Outlaw (foot) and Rudy Fernandez (back); however, Jerryd Bayless got his chance to shine against Portland and was the star of the show with 29 points in 29 minutes.
The Heat (13-11 SU, 12-12 ATS) were also winners on Thursday night, upending their in-state rivals from Orlando (-4 road faves) in a walkover. Miami is now 2-0 SU and ATS with Carlos Arroyo (12.07 PER) starting in place of Mario Chalmers (13.18 PER) at point guard. Quentin Richardson (10.99 PER) also made his return from the injury list Thursday to give Miami its full complement of players – also a rare occasion in South Florida.
Although both teams in this matchup are having some issues, the Blazers are the better team on paper by a fair margin. It shows up most on defense, where Portland is ranked sixth in efficiency and Miami is No. 17 – although those are numbers on the full season with Oden’s work factored in.
The Blazers have the 'over' at 4-2 since losing Oden, while Miami has the 'over' at 5-1 in its last six contests.
Tracy McGrady made his return to the Rockets earlier this week after spending nine months rehabbing his left knee. So far the results have been mixed with T-Mac coming off the bench in two games and Houston going 1-1 straight up and at the window. The Rockets now travel up Interstate 45 to Big D for a tough match Friday evening against the Mavericks in an in-state matchup between Southwest Division rivals.
Have we already seen the last of Allen Iverson? Just five games into his reunion tour with the Philadelphia 76ers, Iverson will be back in civilian clothes Friday night against the Boston Celtics.
He’s been diagnosed with arthritis in his left knee and a bruised left shoulder – injuries that have limited the former MVP to a career-low 16.3 points and 4.4 assists per 36 minutes since returning to Philadelphia.
Iverson’s status has yet to be determined, and while it may be too early to put the final nail in his NBA coffin, we’ve seen small problems become big problems this late in his career.
Lou Williams is still out of commission, so watch the Iverson situation closely. There’s not much talent left in the Philly backcourt without either of those two gentlemen.
Houston at Dallas (-5, 194½)
Friday, Dec 18 - 8:30 p.m. (ET)
Speaking of injured veteran superstars, Tracy McGrady has finally been given the green light to play after nine months of rehab following the dreaded microfracture surgery on his left knee.
McGrady put in eight minutes off the bench in each of his first two games and was overmatched by Carmelo Anthony in Wednesday’s 111-101 loss to the Denver Nuggets (-8½ at home). It could be a while before McGrady rounds into condition and is able to contribute on defense.
Defense is what keeps the Rockets above water these days at 14-11 (15-10 ATS). McGrady’s first two games back went 'over' the posted total to break a string of eight consecutive 'under' results. Game Three will be a tough test against the Dallas Mavericks (19-7 SU, 13-12 ATS), the top team in the Southwest Division and loaded with talent. The Mavs have only covered two of their last seven, but they’ve won five in a row since Josh Howard’s return to active duty.
Dallas is enjoying a rare moment with a completely full and healthy roster. Newcomer Shawn Marion (15.65 PER) has been useful, albeit in decline at age 31, and coach Rick Carlisle has tightened his bench considerably of late to maximize results.
Houston, meanwhile, is in the middle of a tough stretch of 10 games in 20 days, eight of them on the road. The Mavs are 7-3 SU and ATS in their last 10 versus the Rockets and in good shape to stay trendy. The early betting odds had Dallas laying five points with a total of 194½.
Portland at Miami
Sunday, Dec 20 - 6:00 p.m. (ET)
The Trail Blazers (16-11 SU, 13-13-1 ATS) were down in the mouth after losing center Greg Oden for likely the rest of the season with a fractured kneecap. But they’re hanging in there at 3-3 SU and 3-2-1 ATS without their big man, including Thursday’s come-from-behind win over the Phoenix Suns (+1½ road dogs).
Portland’s deep roster has been put to the test with injuries to Oden, Travis Outlaw (foot) and Rudy Fernandez (back); however, Jerryd Bayless got his chance to shine against Portland and was the star of the show with 29 points in 29 minutes.
The Heat (13-11 SU, 12-12 ATS) were also winners on Thursday night, upending their in-state rivals from Orlando (-4 road faves) in a walkover. Miami is now 2-0 SU and ATS with Carlos Arroyo (12.07 PER) starting in place of Mario Chalmers (13.18 PER) at point guard. Quentin Richardson (10.99 PER) also made his return from the injury list Thursday to give Miami its full complement of players – also a rare occasion in South Florida.
Although both teams in this matchup are having some issues, the Blazers are the better team on paper by a fair margin. It shows up most on defense, where Portland is ranked sixth in efficiency and Miami is No. 17 – although those are numbers on the full season with Oden’s work factored in.
The Blazers have the 'over' at 4-2 since losing Oden, while Miami has the 'over' at 5-1 in its last six contests.
