Posts Tagged ‘NBA basketball’

Arriving from of a formidable – but losing – playoff effort last season vs the Bulls, the Pacers came roaring back to commence the 2011-2012 season. The squad is experiencing its greatest early record in the previous eight years, but are still struggling vs the more adept teams in the league. Whereas they’re 11-4 to date, only four of those wins are vs teams with records above .500.

The AT&T Center could get some long-distance action on Jan 13th as the Trailblazers go to San Antonio to battle against the San Antonio Spurs. Portland is a young team seeking to restore as the quick but electric Brandon Roy era officially ended with his retirement in December. Previous #1 pick Greg Oden has also had repeated problems with his knees as Portland apparently can’t shake the ghost of Sam Bowie. The San Antonio Spurs expect to defend their court with impressive plays from their regular constant roster. The San Antonio Spurs are liked by 8 points and this looks to be a great bet.

On Jan 12th, things heat up when the Cleveland Cavaliers enter into Phoenix to battle against the Phoenix Suns. A few seasons ago, this might have been an outstanding match with LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire going head to head in a collision course. In the age of free agency nevertheless, times definitely have changed as this match looks substantially different. Phoenix is favored by 6 points over the Cavaliers and this appears to be a secure wager.

The United Center in Chicago will be on edge as the Washington Wizards arrive in town to face the Bulls. In years past, this game could have been the hardest ticket to get as the second comeback by Michael Jordan turned the Wizards into media darlings all through the league. Jordan now is long retired nonetheless and the Wizards have turned into an excellent youthful team with vast amounts of possible waiting to be drawn on. The sports book has the Chicago Bulls preferred by 8 points which sounds correct and sounds like a quality bet with Chicago being rooted on at home.

The Sacramento Kings have their work cut out for them when they face the Houston Rockets in Houston on January 13th. This is a condition of both squads reconstructing for the future as both squads look nothing like their early 2000′s heydays. The Kings look to go back to their previous popularity in the west with outstanding play from their youthful stalwarts. The Houston Rockets are still dealing with the after effects from the retirement of Yao Ming. The Houston Rockets are favored by 3 points by the sports book and this wants to be a hard game to call.

Saturday evening on January 14th, the New York Knicks come into Oklahoma City to battle against the Thunder in this huge contest between these two teams. It is a tale of two teams as the Thunder arrive in the game with a regular squad of young guns vs the Knicks who it seems from year to year usually enters into play with lots of adjustments going on. The Knicks are liked by 4 points and this might hold unless Durant has one of his ordinary killer competitions.

The Staples Center is going to come alive on January 11th when the Heat competes with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Miami Heat comes in with among the best records in the NBA helped by a great roster of stars. The Miami Heat lead the NBA as a team in points landed and assists. The sports book has the Miami Heat preferred by 8 points and with the backcourt they feature, it is apparently a sure bet. Let’s have a closer look at the Miami Heat this year and what they offer.

The unpleasant specter of the Lockout had loomed huge over the NBA landscape until earlier this month. The NBA has effectively tipped off in earnest over Christmas weekend with both the players and the owners finally coming to a deal. The NBA welcoming committee travels to the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. when the Celts (1-3) face the Wizards (0-3). Both teams come into play with unstable records and a slow beginning to the year. The sports book appears to have the nod on the greater team as the line now stands – Boston (-7) 184 ½ .