VegasButcher - NBA 66 – 50 @ 0% for +11.0 Units
Washington Wizards -13
Can Mo Williams breathe some life into this Wolves team? Williams is expected to play, though his minutes will be limited. Even so, this Wolves team should be no match for the Wizards on the road. In their last game, Minnesota scored 53 PIP against the defense-less Lakers. Against Washington’s 5th ranked D things should be much more difficult, especially since Washington ranks 3rd in % of FG’s allowed within 3 feet of the rim. Minnesota is in the bottom-5 in the league in 3PT shooting, and I would expect a lot of long-range, inefficient shots from them tonight. Offensively, Washington ranks 1st in 3PT shooting and 7th in FG% within 3 feet of the basket. I expect a lot of open 3’s and a lot of uncontested layups in this one for the Wizards. They should roll.
Oklahoma City Thunder -8
On Saturday, the Kings proceeded to lose to the Pistons. On Sunday, their head-coach was fired. Today, they are playing their first game after that. By all accounts, Malone was fired due to ‘philosophical differences’ with the management, or in simple terms, because he had a different vision for this team. Malone was building the team around Cousins controlling the play on the block, and dominating in the post. Seemed to work pretty well for them as the Kings had a stellar start to the season and even rated top-10 defensively to start out the year. Management of course wants a high-tempo, offense based approach, which is not really suited for the current roster. I think in a short-term this will be a disaster. We’ll see if the Kings implement any changes to their approach for tonight, but I would expect a lot of turnovers and a ton of easy buckets for OKC. Remember, Thunder have Durant and Westbrook, two of the most prolific scorers in the league. If the Kings are tinkering with their approach, their first game could be very ‘interesting’ and I expect a lot of turnovers in this one. OKC has been dominating opponents lately, and this is the kind of game that they MUST win if they want to get into the playoff picture quickly, and work their way toward home-field in the post-season.
Memphis Grizzlies -3
A few days ago I predicted that Golden State’s winning streak will come to an end on this 3 game road-trip. They played @ Dallas during the day in an unusual spot, but Dallas were without Chandler Parsons (1st time playing without him this year), and the Warriors built a huge lead in the 1st half and held on to a win. Then they faced the Pelicans the next time, who were without Anthony Davis, and needed OT just to pull out a win. Even without Davis, NO scored 56 PIP and forced 19 TO’s. So after facing DAL and NO on this road-trip, both teams missing a key player, the Warriors will now travel to Memphis. Well, Grizzlies are fully healthy. In addition, Memphis is well equipped to guard Warriors’ guard combo of Curry and Thompson. If you can control these two players, you have a great shot for a win and I think Memphis has the personnel to do it. Both Conley and Allen are plus defenders, who are excellent at forcing TO’s. As a team, Memphis ranks top-10 in forcing TO’s something that is critical against a TO-prone team like the Warriors (25th in TO-rate). In addition, they have two guys in Z-Bo and Gasol who can operate in the post and dominate the paint. Remember, Warrior’s best interior defender Andrew Bogut is out for this one. His replacement Ezeli is a total zero on the offensive end and is a horrible defender allowing a 22 PER to opposing centers. Speights, first big guy off the bench, is even worse, allowing 27 PER to opposition Power Forwards. Warriors might have to play ‘small ball’ in this one, but if Conley and Allen can contain Curry and Thompson, then I think Memphis could use their size-advantage to turn this game into a grinder. Grizzlies had 2 full days to rest and prepare for this one, and I expect them to break Warriors’ winning streak tonight.
Washington Wizards -13
Can Mo Williams breathe some life into this Wolves team? Williams is expected to play, though his minutes will be limited. Even so, this Wolves team should be no match for the Wizards on the road. In their last game, Minnesota scored 53 PIP against the defense-less Lakers. Against Washington’s 5th ranked D things should be much more difficult, especially since Washington ranks 3rd in % of FG’s allowed within 3 feet of the rim. Minnesota is in the bottom-5 in the league in 3PT shooting, and I would expect a lot of long-range, inefficient shots from them tonight. Offensively, Washington ranks 1st in 3PT shooting and 7th in FG% within 3 feet of the basket. I expect a lot of open 3’s and a lot of uncontested layups in this one for the Wizards. They should roll.
Oklahoma City Thunder -8
On Saturday, the Kings proceeded to lose to the Pistons. On Sunday, their head-coach was fired. Today, they are playing their first game after that. By all accounts, Malone was fired due to ‘philosophical differences’ with the management, or in simple terms, because he had a different vision for this team. Malone was building the team around Cousins controlling the play on the block, and dominating in the post. Seemed to work pretty well for them as the Kings had a stellar start to the season and even rated top-10 defensively to start out the year. Management of course wants a high-tempo, offense based approach, which is not really suited for the current roster. I think in a short-term this will be a disaster. We’ll see if the Kings implement any changes to their approach for tonight, but I would expect a lot of turnovers and a ton of easy buckets for OKC. Remember, Thunder have Durant and Westbrook, two of the most prolific scorers in the league. If the Kings are tinkering with their approach, their first game could be very ‘interesting’ and I expect a lot of turnovers in this one. OKC has been dominating opponents lately, and this is the kind of game that they MUST win if they want to get into the playoff picture quickly, and work their way toward home-field in the post-season.
Memphis Grizzlies -3
A few days ago I predicted that Golden State’s winning streak will come to an end on this 3 game road-trip. They played @ Dallas during the day in an unusual spot, but Dallas were without Chandler Parsons (1st time playing without him this year), and the Warriors built a huge lead in the 1st half and held on to a win. Then they faced the Pelicans the next time, who were without Anthony Davis, and needed OT just to pull out a win. Even without Davis, NO scored 56 PIP and forced 19 TO’s. So after facing DAL and NO on this road-trip, both teams missing a key player, the Warriors will now travel to Memphis. Well, Grizzlies are fully healthy. In addition, Memphis is well equipped to guard Warriors’ guard combo of Curry and Thompson. If you can control these two players, you have a great shot for a win and I think Memphis has the personnel to do it. Both Conley and Allen are plus defenders, who are excellent at forcing TO’s. As a team, Memphis ranks top-10 in forcing TO’s something that is critical against a TO-prone team like the Warriors (25th in TO-rate). In addition, they have two guys in Z-Bo and Gasol who can operate in the post and dominate the paint. Remember, Warrior’s best interior defender Andrew Bogut is out for this one. His replacement Ezeli is a total zero on the offensive end and is a horrible defender allowing a 22 PER to opposing centers. Speights, first big guy off the bench, is even worse, allowing 27 PER to opposition Power Forwards. Warriors might have to play ‘small ball’ in this one, but if Conley and Allen can contain Curry and Thompson, then I think Memphis could use their size-advantage to turn this game into a grinder. Grizzlies had 2 full days to rest and prepare for this one, and I expect them to break Warriors’ winning streak tonight.
River City Sharps
Bobby Hurley has his Buffalo Bulls playing some solid basketball, even in defeat, as we saw earlier this year in their competitive loss to number one Kentucky. Bruiser Flint brings a young and very inexperienced team into Buffalo tonight as Drexel will try and improve on their 2-6 record. The Bulls are an impressive 7-1 ATS in their last eight home games vs teams with losing road records and Drexel is just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games. We have this one pegged at Buffalo by double digits, so value here tonight with the home team. The Sharps say...
3 UNITS - BUFFALO (-8)
Bobby Hurley has his Buffalo Bulls playing some solid basketball, even in defeat, as we saw earlier this year in their competitive loss to number one Kentucky. Bruiser Flint brings a young and very inexperienced team into Buffalo tonight as Drexel will try and improve on their 2-6 record. The Bulls are an impressive 7-1 ATS in their last eight home games vs teams with losing road records and Drexel is just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games. We have this one pegged at Buffalo by double digits, so value here tonight with the home team. The Sharps say...
3 UNITS - BUFFALO (-8)
