Dave Malinsky 11/20
Top of the Ticket - Side
Charlotte Bobcats(+3.5) over MILWAUKEE BUCKS
4* #515 CHARLOTTE over MILWAUKEE
There is not a more meaningless W/L record in the NBA than the 6-3 opening of the Bucks, particularly in light of the team that will take the court tonight. But in installing them as this level of favorite the markets are trying to say that there is some merit to the record, and that gives us an excellent opportunity to step in. First, note that it has been one of the best season-opening schedules ever for Scott Skiles and his team. There have been wins against bottom feeders like the Timberwolves, Knicks, Warriors and Nets, and while there was an upset of Denver on this court, note that the Nuggets were simply gassed, playing the last leg of a six game/nine day road trip. And making things even easier for the Bucks is the fact that the last five games have all been at home. But the team that takes the court tonight is extremely limited. Michael Redd will not return until early next week; Andrew Bogut is out for as long as a month, after getting off to the best start of his career (16.1 points and 9.2 rebounds in 33.6 minutes per game); and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute has not practiced since Monday?s loss to Dallas, and is wearing a walking boot. The remaining pieces lack talent and chemistry, with no offensive post presence from Kurt Thomas or Dan Gadzuric, and with Larry Brown slowing this to a half-court affair, it takes away the chances for Brandon Jennings to shift to a higher gear. A favorite with this little talent and this little chemistry will be extremely vulnerable against a savvy and well-coached underdog. After getting a practice in with his new teammates on Tuesday, Stephen Jackson responded with 26 points, five assists and three steals on Wednesday at Philadelphia, but the rest of the team misfired in that loss to the 76ers in the closing seconds. Now they have had multiple practices with the new faces on hand, and there is little in the way of them grinding out a methodical outright win in this setting.
