Tuesday, March 8: HOU @ PHX -5

[JBT]

Call me stupid, but I'm on Rockets ML. Rockets will once again do everything they can to get another win and move 1 more game away from the .500 spot. This will also be a very emotional game for Goran Dragic who has considerably more to prove than Brooks. Unless he chokes, I expect him to be big tonight from the bench (maybe he even starts?) and I am convinced he will get a nice round of applause from from the Phoenix fans for every bucket he makes, even if it means burying the Suns. This game might actually be exactly what the guy needs to get back on track and unless he chokes under the stress I expect another 2010 playoffs performance from him, which he's been long overdue.

I might be dreaming here of course and Dragic along with the whole Houston team shit themselves , but I see value in Rockets ML.

[beeney24]

Rockets have been on fire as of late....the play here is the over 217.5

[Tennispro]

Rockets +5 is a gift why would you take Suns when the 2 teams almost play the same ball, they are both going for the 8th seed and both teams playing good ball.
Yea the Rockets played yesterday but we all know these are pro athletes and yea Suns play at home but they lost Frye who has been great and its a revange game for the Rockets so all in all the line should be -2.5,-3 for the Suns GL.

[Vulcan300]

pro athletes or not, everyone experiences fatigue and the after effects of any physical activity, why do you think players ice down knees and elbows during and after games?

[bleek88]

Will scola play tonight?

[Vulcan300]

Luis Scola said that he will not play in Tuesday's game against the Suns if his left knee hurts as it did on Monday night.
He will be evaluated on Tuesday and we have not received word that the evaluation will include the dreaded MRI, and owners have going for them the fact that he has played in all 311 games of his NBA career. Going against them would be the up-tempo pace the Suns play at, and the fact that he will have very

not too worried about nash's pelvic prob pretty confident in what brooks can do as opposed to dragic.

[Tennispro]

I am not saying that they dont but they are trained to play a lot of games so you often see a slow start by a b2b team but they pick it up in the end, its all about the motivation at this stage and both teams will bring it.

[demens]

The Pacers are undervalued because the Sixers have been money recently, if against primarily crap teams. Their last 6 games have been against GSW, MIN, DAL, @CLE, DET, WAS. I feel like the oddsmakers have been trending towards setting steep lines on Philly and daring bettors to take them. Making them dogs in Indiana doesn't show a lot of confidence in the Sixers all of a sudden. I feel like Pacers -3.5 would be a more appropriate line. Philadelphia has to be feeling fairly good about making it into the playoffs with a few game lead on the Pacers, and I think Indiana is confident that they're capable of holding on to that #8 spot, but are aware that the Bucks and Bobcats are right on their heels if they falter.

While writing this, I talked myself fully into the play.

Pacers ML (-110) x3

Why all of the sudden? Philly is actually a team that followed a similar path as the Grizzlies. The difference is that i was very confident that the Grizz were a really strong team from the start of the season and expected them to get it going eventually. Sixers i gave no respect to until about a month or so ago. Both teams have been killing the books all year and are the top 2 ATS teams on the season. Grizz have the 6th best and Philly the 7th best records in the league since 2011. I think books have been giving them more and more respect with each passing stretch of games and like Memphis they still can't figure them out. Philly had some impressive wins on the road vs Atl and Houston teams i think are better then Pacers. Its not just a recent good streak of wins, they have been solid for over 2 months. Its the last 4 games that sort of have me worried, loss to Mavs, needed OT to beat GS, 1 point game vs Minny with a min to go (i think they were down actually) did win by 11, and 4 point win vs Cavs (up big, let them back in the game).

Anyway, not gonna fade you, just a no play.GL

[Vulcan300]

I am not saying that they dont but they are trained to play a lot of games so you often see a slow start by a b2b team but they pick it up in the end, its all about the motivation at this stage and both teams will bring it.

fatigue/b2b is only a small % that people factor in(really depends on pace of previous game like SK noted), but with scola's knee and the pace of tonights game. i like the suns here.

[CHAZ]

I'm sitting on the fence on this one. We have the Rockets who are playing b2b (7-11) today and could be without Scola. Then the other side is Phoenix, this is there first game back from a long road trip and just lost an important guy in there rotation (Frye).

Both teams are just alike, top scoring offense with bad defense.

[Pauulzcappin]

I'm going to add something that makes me lean the Suns heavily if Scola is out.

Phoenix is a bit above avg defending the 3 ball which will be Houston's main weapon with no post game and inside scoring with the exception of drives to the basket.

Houston on the other hand is one of the worst on that category on the road, which is where the Suns have prospered lately.

Chase Budinger has been playing very well lately avging 16 points in March but he has a tough matchup tonight. Grant Hill has been superb on the defensive end of the floor limiting Durant to 3-14 shooting the other night.

I think Martin will have a decent game tonight since Vince Chokarter will see a lot of playing time but won't be enough for a Rockets' win with no Scola.

[Vulcan300]

this a trick for people to back rockets before the afternoon or any updates on scola? the line dropping from -5 to -4?

[Vulcan300]

any info on refs for tonights game?

[Vulcan300]

Here's a full list free throw differentials for crew chiefs who have worked at least three Suns games this season:
Kennedy, Bill: -15
Crawford, Joe: -6.75
Davis, Marc: -6.4
Willard, Greg: -5.4
Malloy, Ed: -3.33
Foster, Scott: 0.25
Garretson, Ron: 2.8
Mauer, Ken: 3.5
McCutchen, Monty: 4
Salvatore, Bennett: 5.33
Crawford, D: 6.67

tonights refs:
Ken Mauer
Mark Ayotte
Eli Roe

[suicidekings]

Why all of the sudden?

Nono. I'm not bashing Philly here. I agree that they've been superb (and very profitable) in recent weeks. What I'm saying is Philly having been so good recently and the Pacers not really. Why were the Pacers favoured at opening?

Either way, I'm sticking to my guns despite the line moving against me in both games. I'm confident in both the Pacers and Suns, so we'll just see what happens. Honestly, if I see a ton of public interest in the Rockets (public betting %, pro-Rockets threads appearing in the forum touting a line that's 1.5 points worse than what they could have gotten) it's just going to make me more confident in the Suns play. -4 would obviously be nicer than -5, but I doubt it will matter to the outcome.

[suicidekings]

I don't buy heavily into using the refs to cap games, but look at Houston's record with Eli Roe on the floor... haha. Overall, I don't see much bias in that crew. Seems like a pretty balanced squad.

[pokerpro44]

i like the suns alot tonight.gl.

[lyon804]

I'm going to add something that makes me lean the Suns heavily if Scola is out.

Phoenix is a bit above avg defending the 3 ball which will be Houston's main weapon with no post game and inside scoring with the exception of drives to the basket.

Houston on the other hand is one of the worst on that category on the road, which is where the Suns have prospered lately.

Chase Budinger has been playing very well lately avging 16 points in March but he has a tough matchup tonight. Grant Hill has been superb on the defensive end of the floor limiting Durant to 3-14 shooting the other night.

I think Martin will have a decent game tonight since Vince Chokarter will see a lot of playing time but won't be enough for a Rockets' win with no Scola.

I wonder just how good Grant Hill could have been if his career was not often derailed by season long injuries early in his career. He was one of the best college players I had seen when he left Duke. He was never the highest scorer in the country but he was so well rounded and good at everything. And always,always played his best in the biggest moments.

[suicidekings]

I wonder just how good Grant Hill could have been if his career was not often derailed by season long injuries early in his career. He was one of the best college players I had seen when he left Duke. He was never the highest scorer in the country but he was so well rounded and good at everything. And always,always played his best in the biggest moments.

I end up watching more Suns games than any other team because I'm on the west coast, and they're far more entertaining than Blazer games... Point being, I'm a huge Grant Hill fan. He's so clutch and I feel like that well rounded nature is what the Suns management looks for in players they sign. I've watched Hill's work ethic rub off on Dudley and Frye over the last couple of seasons and you see it in the intensity the Suns can bring to the table against all but the NBA elite. It's been a nice progression from the classic run and gun that they're known for, and is apparent in the Suns game when they get into the 4Q of a tough game. When they get pressured, they tend to raise their game.

[Pauulzcappin]

Any input on what I wrote, sk?

[lunchbawks]

thought i was sharp taking suns early -5 (-116)

nothing like getting the least value out of your dollar

[Shafted69]

I am all over the Rockets. This is a no brainer. Favs won last nite & tonite is doggie dog shocker night.

[suicidekings]

I'm going to add something that makes me lean the Suns heavily if Scola is out.

Phoenix is a bit above avg defending the 3 ball which will be Houston's main weapon with no post game and inside scoring with the exception of drives to the basket.

Houston on the other hand is one of the worst on that category on the road, which is where the Suns have prospered lately.

Chase Budinger has been playing very well lately avging 16 points in March but he has a tough matchup tonight. Grant Hill has been superb on the defensive end of the floor limiting Durant to 3-14 shooting the other night.

I think Martin will have a decent game tonight since Vince Chokarter will see a lot of playing time but won't be enough for a Rockets' win with no Scola.

Scola will almost definitely play. He'll be a big presence inside, but Gortat is every bit as big and aggressive in the paint. Martin will have a hard time tonight. The Suns always defend him very tough, and will prioritize containing him. Brooks is going to be more motivated in this game than any other since joining the Suns. Budinger has been taking advantage of soft matchups recently as Martin/Scola have been taking the doubles. I don't see him being very effective tonight.

I expect Pietrus & Dudley to play big tonight, shooting from all over the floor, and I don't think the Rockets will have an answer for them driving to the rim, and the paint will be congested all night. Brooks and Nash will cut the Rockets defense up, driving and kicking out to the perimeter. Lots of FTs in this game. Grant Hill will be EVERYWHERE tonight. Carter is a coinflip. I think he'll score, but it might be one of those "hits 6 of his first 7, then dumps for the rest of the game" kind of things...

[suicidekings]

thought i was sharp taking suns early -5 (-116)

nothing like getting the least value out of your dollar

Happens. The Pacers and Suns lines already moved against me, and I love the Wizards tonight but the line is moving against that play too... The best advice I ever got regarding gambling came from Shoebox, when he was still around. I made the quote part of my sig when we still had those.

Sometimes you gotta trust what you can bring to the table, line in favor of your wager or not ......

It's the last thing your sportsbook wants you to be thinking about when placing your wagers.

[Pauulzcappin]

Despite the horrible attitude, shoebox was very valuable to this forum.

[Goat Milk]

I'm going to add something that makes me lean the Suns heavily if Scola is out.

Phoenix is a bit above avg defending the 3 ball which will be Houston's main weapon with no post game and inside scoring with the exception of drives to the basket.

Houston on the other hand is one of the worst on that category on the road, which is where the Suns have prospered lately.

Chase Budinger has been playing very well lately avging 16 points in March but he has a tough matchup tonight. Grant Hill has been superb on the defensive end of the floor limiting Durant to 3-14 shooting the other night.

I think Martin will have a decent game tonight since Vince Chokarter will see a lot of playing time but won't be enough for a Rockets' win with no Scola.

Grant Hill will probably guard Martin

[QUEST001]

Shoebox one who I valued wish he was back....He was great.

[lyon804]

Despite the horrible attitude, shoebox was very valuable to this forum.

Actually he was and is still a great guy. His only problem is he doesn't suffer fools to well which makes "poinstville" a difficult place for him. Still converse almost weekly with him...

[Pauulzcappin]

Actually he was and is still a great guy. His only problem is he doesn't suffer fools to well which makes "poinstville" a difficult place for him. Still converse almost weekly with him...

Not really what happened. Responded everytime with ironies whenever questioned about something that would go against his opinion.

[Fleeben]

Why all of the sudden? Philly is actually a team that followed a similar path as the Grizzlies. The difference is that i was very confident that the Grizz were a really strong team from the start of the season and expected them to get it going eventually. Sixers i gave no respect to until about a month or so ago. Both teams have been killing the books all year and are the top 2 ATS teams on the season. Grizz have the 6th best and Philly the 7th best records in the league since 2011. I think books have been giving them more and more respect with each passing stretch of games and like Memphis they still can't figure them out. Philly had some impressive wins on the road vs Atl and Houston teams i think are better then Pacers. Its not just a recent good streak of wins, they have been solid for over 2 months. Its the last 4 games that sort of have me worried, loss to Mavs, needed OT to beat GS, 1 point game vs Minny with a min to go (i think they were down actually) did win by 11, and 4 point win vs Cavs (up big, let them back in the game).

Anyway, not gonna fade you, just a no play.GL

Sixers have been one of the better teams in the league for most of the season. They started out 3-13 and since then they have shown the ability to beat pretty much any team in the league. Like any young team they struggle to show up at times, so they could get blown out tonight, but you'd be a fool to bet against them right now.

[suicidekings]

Grant Hill will probably guard Martin

Definitely. For the majority of the game anyways. He's their number 1 lockdown defender and Martin is so under-rated in his ability to draw contact and get to the line. A large part of his success comes from quietly going about his business and picking off the situations in which he's being guarded by defenders that can't handle his speed and feints.

Hill is going to be so key in this game defensively for the Suns.

[suicidekings]

BTW guys, love the discussion going on in here.

[suicidekings]

Suns -5 (-105) x4
Pacers ML (-110) x3

Adding:

Wizards ML (+103) x1
Pacers ML (+100) x2 (for a total of 5.3u to win 5)

[Goat Milk]

I wonder just how good Grant Hill could have been if his career was not often derailed by season long injuries early in his career. He was one of the best college players I had seen when he left Duke. He was never the highest scorer in the country but he was so well rounded and good at everything. And always,always played his best in the biggest moments.

Grant Hill is one of the most versatile players every to come into the NBA. The years he was in Detroit people were looking at this guy as the next MJ type Superstar- at least I certaintly saw that type of potential in him.

I was looking at his stats a few days ago and he had some unbelievable seasons. One year he averaged about 21-22, 10 boards, and 7 dimes. Pretty much the closest guy coming to averaging a triple double (big o)

[lyon804]

Grant Hill is one of the most versatile players every to come into the NBA. The years he was in Detroit people were looking at this guy as the next MJ type Superstar- at least I certaintly saw that type of potential in him.

I was looking at his stats a few days ago and he had some unbelievable seasons. One year he averaged about 21-22, 10 boards, and 7 dimes. Pretty much the closest guy coming to averaging a triple double (big o)

He would have been a definite HOF'er had he stayed healthy.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Hill below is a clip from the wiki article.

After the first six seasons of his career, before his ankle injury, Hill had a total of 9,393 points, 3,417 rebounds and 2,720 assists. Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird, and LeBron James are the only three players in league history to eclipse these numbers after their first six seasons



pretty good company to be in I would say...