Arriving off of a formidable – but losing – playoff effort last year versus the Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers came roaring back to start off the 2011-2012 year. The team is experiencing its greatest early record in the earlier 8 years, but are still struggling versus the more skillful squads in the league. Whilst they are 11-4 so far, merely four of those victories are versus squads with records above .500.
Number 1 rated Kentucky against the NCAA competition hopefuls Georgia? Seems like a recipe for a blowout, especially as Kentucky just barely regained that coveted No. 1 spot on the standings for the first time in the earlier two months. Whereas the Kentucky Wildcats are ahead of the standings and savoring an 11 game win streak, the Georgia Bulldogs can best be described as sporadic so far in the season.
The Kings are facing an uphill battle when they face the Rockets in Houston on January 13th. This is a situation of both teams rebuilding for the long run as both teams look nothing like their early 2000’s heydays. The Sacramento Kings look to get back to their past popularity in the west with outstanding play from their youthful stalwarts. The Houston Rockets are still managing the fallout from the retirement of Yao Ming. The Houston Rockets are preferred by 3 points by the sports book and this looks to be a tough game to call.
The AT&T Center may get some long-distance competition on Jan 13th as the Trailblazers head to San Antonio to battle against the San Antonio Spurs. Portland is a young team seeking to restore as the brief but electric Brandon Roy era officially ended with his retirement in December. Ex – #1 pick Greg Oden has also had continued problems with his knees as Portland seemingly can not shake the specter of Sam Bowie. The San Antonio Spurs want to defend their court with stunning plays from their normal steady lineup. The San Antonio Spurs are favored by 8 points and this wants to be an awesome bet.
On Jan 12th, things get hot when the Cavaliers come into Phoenix to take on the Suns. A couple of seasons ago, this could have been an outstanding game with LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire going head up in a collision course. In the age of free agency nonetheless, times definitely have transformed as this game looks considerably different. Phoenix is preferred by 6 points over the Cleveland Cavaliers and this seems to be a secure bet.
Saturday evening on January 14th, the New York Knicks come into Oklahoma City to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in this major contest between these two teams. It is a tale of two teams as the Oklahoma City Thunder come up with a continual team of young guns vs the Knicks who it appears from year upon year constantly comes into play with plenty of adjustments going on. The Knicks are liked by 4 points and this could hold unless Durant has one of his ordinary killer games.
The United Center in Chicago will be on edge as the Washington Wizards arrive in town to take on the Chicago Bulls. In past years, this game would have been the most challenging ticket to get as the second comeback by Michael Jordan turned the Wizards into press darlings throughout the nba. Jordan is now long retired however and the Wizards have become an awesome youthful team with vast amounts of possible waiting to be drawn on. The sports book has the Bulls preferred by 8 points which looks correct and looks like a quality wager with Chicago being rooted on at home.
The Staples Center is going to come alive on Jan 11th when the Miami Heat competes with the Clippers. The Heat comes in with one of the best records in the NBA helped by a great roster of stars. The Heat lead the league as a team in points won and assists. The sports book has the Heat preferred by 8 points and with the backcourt they possess, it is apparently a sure wager. Let’s have a closer look at the Heat this season and what they provide.
These two squads have been doing relatively well this year. This really should not a shocking to anyone as both of these colleges are well noted for their share of victories in basketball for many years. These two squads will be at it out on the hardwood on January 9, when Western Virginia visits Connecticut.
The ugly specter of the Lockout had loomed big over the NBA landscape until earlier this year. The NBA has effectively tipped off in earnest over Christmas weekend with both the players and the owners at last coming to a deal. The NBA welcoming committee journeys to the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. when the Celtics (1-3) battle against the Washington Wizards (0-3). Both squads come into play with unstable records and a slow beginning to the year. The sportsbook appears to have the nod on the greater squad as the line now stands – Boston (-7) 184 ½ .