NBA Full Court Report 05/12/06
There’s a six-game package on the NBA card for Tuesday night. One month into the NBA season and injuries start to play a big part in the team’s performances. Below is a look at all six matchups tonight, including three games with key injury concerns.
PORTLAND at DETROIT (-10, 193½)
The Pistons had their 8-0 SU (6-2 ATS) streak snapped on Sunday when they lost 97-89 at Charlotte as 4-point favorites on the road. Detroit struggled offensively, shooting just 40.7 percent from the field while allowing the Bobcats to shoot 49.3 percent overall.
Portland hits the road for the first of six straight road games after going just 0-4 SU (1-3 ATS) in its recent home stand. Since a mini two-game win streak in early November, the Blazers have gone just 2-10 SU (3-9 ATS) in the past three weeks.
Detroit won both meetings outright last season, but the Pistons were 0-2 ATS as their wins came by margins of just three and four points in each game.
DALLAS in NEW JERSEY (no line)
There was no overnight line in this game as Vince Carter injured his wrist on Saturday in the Net’s 112-107 win over Philadelphia. Carter is expected to play tonight and lead the team in scoring (27.7 ppg) and second in assists (3.4 ppg) and steals (1.1 ppg).
The Mavericks had their 12-0 SU (10-2 ATS) streak snapped last night when they lost 106-97 at Washington. Dirk Nowitzki led the club with 27 points while Jason Terry struggled and scored just four points in 27 minutes of action. The Mavericks were outclassed and trailing by 22 points entering the fourth quarter.
GOLDEN STATE at HOUSTON (no line)
There was no overnight lineup in this game due to injuries to key players at both clubs. The Warriors are coming off a 129-89 loss at San Antonio last night and likely won’t have forward Jason Richardson again tonight. Richardson injured his knee in Saturday’s 115-110 home loss against Milwaukee and is in doubt tonight.
Houston’s Tracy McGrady is likely after suffering a concussion in Saturday’s 81-63 home win against Cleveland. McGrady played less than eleven minutes and scored just seven points, but the Rockets still dominated the game and were led by 24 points from Yao Ming.
SACRAMENT at PHOENIX (no queue)
There was no overnight lineup in this game due to the uncertainty of Sacramento’s Ron Artest, who missed the last two games with a back injury. Artest is second on the team in scoring (17.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg).
Sacramento lost 92-89 at home to Orlando last night and now the Kings must travel relentlessly and play their fourth game in five days. Phoenix is well rested having only played once in the last six days and the Suns are 8-1 SU over the last nine games since their surprising 1-5 SU start.
ATLANTA at SEATTLE (-5½, 201½)
Atlanta got its current five-game road trip off to a winning start with a 107-96 victory at Portland on Sunday as a 2½-point underdog. The Hawks never trailed in the game and led by as many as 17 points. Atlanta was led by Joe Johnson’s 33 points and the team’s 107 points were their highest tally in the past nine games and their third-highest total of the season.
Seattle is coming off a hard-fought 109-107 road loss at Utah on Saturday in which the Sonics almost overcame a 12-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. The Sonics allowed Utah to shoot 51 percent from the field and, overall, Seattle is allowing 49 percent in all games this season.
The Sonics won a 113-112 overtime shootout earlier this season in Atlanta, in which Ray Allen scored 33 points and Rashard Lewis scored 23 points. The Hawks were led by 28 points from Joe Johnson and 24 points from Josh Smith. Josh Childress also had 17 points, but he won’t be available tonight due to a foot injury.
MIAMI at LA CLIPPERS (-6½, 189) (NBA-tv)
The Miami Heat are finally adjusting to life without Shaquille O’Neal as they have gone 3-1 SU (4-0 ATS) over their last four games. Shaq is still out for another month due to recent knee surgery and Dwyane Wade has carried the load this season, averaging 27.7 points per game and scoring at least 33 points or more in three of his last five games.
The Clippers started the season 5-1 SU (4-2 ATS), but then followed that up with a 1-6 SU (0-7 ATS) slump. Los Angeles has started to turn things around and is 2-1 SU/ATS over its last three games, including an impressive 116-91 home win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
STEVE MERRIL is a professional sports handicapper and a documented member of The Professional Handicappers League. Get your Premium plays here.