[kidcd]

Pick: Sacrament Kings/Portland Trailblazers over 200
Analysis: Coach Paul Westphal has always been an up tempo coach he has the Kings averaging 99.9 points per game on the road and giving up just north of 107 points on defense on the road. Sacramento is averaging just over 107 points per game their last 12 contests and are 9-6-2 to the over since all star Kevin Martin went down with an injury, as they have tried to increase their scoring to make up for Martins absence. The Kings have had the last 2 days off to rest and are a perfect 6-0 against the spread on two days rest as they are still being undervalued by the linemaker this also indicates that when rested they are able to play their high tempo pace and suck other teams into their run and gun offense. Another factor is the return of 2nd unit point guard Sergio Rodriguez this will be his first game in Portland since being traded to the Kings last summer. Rodriguez has won the backup point guard spot with his hard work and has drawn the admiration of Coach Westphal for his uptempo style and has learned to trust the young point guard in key situations. Another young player to emerge recently has been forward Jason Thompson who has averaged 20.7 points and 10 rebounds in his last 3 games including a 23 12 rebound effort in a 120-100 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Portland on the other hand is averaging 98.9 and giving up 91.7 at home however they are 3-1 to the over since Greg Oden went down having scored 102, 99 and 101 points in their last 3 games and I think you will see their offense continue to go up as they move away from the offensively challenged Greg Oden offense and move to Brandon Roy and Lamarcus Aldridge as their key offensive components. Clearly the mandate for the Portland team was to run the offense through the big man Greg Oden, this somewhat handicapped the athletic team that Portland has and Roy and Aldridge are a much better fit in a little faster tempo team. The Blazers are also making a switch to Andre Miller who will be replacing the struggling Steve Bake at point guard. Blake has been in a major shooting slump hitting just 16 of his last 49 shots and has been even colder from the 3 point line missing 22 of his last 29 3 point attempts. Look for Miller to take advantage of his starting opportunity and look to push the offense, look for Blake to come off the bench and contribute against the Kings second unit instead of the starters. This will be the first game of a quick 2 game home stand for the Blazers following a 4 game east coast trip, it has been my experience that a team that comes home from a long road trip can be a little distracted in their first game as they try to get all their personal affairs back in order this I think will show on the defensive side for the Blazers as it takes more effort to play defense and they will allow Sacramento to dictate the rhythm of the game.
Summary: Look for a lot of quick shots as the Kings try to get a shot off in the first 14 seconds of the shot clock and as they push the tempo look for the Blazers to try to answer, we think the Blazers should get the win but it should be close and quite entertaining if you like offense.
Predicted score: Portland 109 Sacramento 106 as both teams top the century mark.

[krazey47409]

shit i bet this game under