“It’s got to stop sooner or later, man. I honestly thought this was a 25-30 point win for us tonight.”
That Joe Johnson, always good for a sound bite. Johnson made these comments, by the way, just moments after he hit the game-winning to jumper to propel the Hawks to a 90-89 win over the T-Wolves in which they squandered an early 14-point lead largely thanks to an 8-point effort in the third quarter.
Johnson’s comments this season have at times been a tad toward the head-scratching end of the spectrum (see the part early in the year when the guy who left the Suns for more money said the Hawks needed to get him veteran help), but it is hard to disagree with him this time around. Especially if you were giving eight-plus points with Hotlanta.
* * * * *
PHILADELPHIA (-3.5) over New York – Just when the Knicks start to suck you in after a few good games, they come up with a debacle against a bad team. Further, no matter how much better they have appeared as of late, they remain 29th in defensive efficiency. There is something to be said for that, and it isn’t something good.
DETROIT (-8.5) over Chicago – Though the Bulls are suddenly hot, said heat has resulted courtesy of two wins over Charlotte and one over Atlanta. The Pistons are playing excellent basketball as of late, and they will be looking to send a message that they are remain well above the Bulls in the hierarchy of the Eastern Conference, particularly after an early-season loss at the United Center.
Washington over PHOENIX (-7.5) – The Wizards likely won’t win a shootout against the Suns. But they won’t back down from one either, and against a Suns team playing the fourth game of a five-game trip across the country, they should be able to hang in for just long enough.
Indiana over ORLANDO (-7.5) – The Magic return from a long trip out West, and the Pacers have found ways to sneak up on teams thus far this season (credit Obie). Don’t be surprised if this one is close at the end.
BOSTON (-10.5) over Toronto – Bosh and Bargnani remain questionable. Meanwhile, the Celts will remember needing a buzzer-beater from Ray-Ray to overcome the Raptors in overtime up north in the season’s second game. They should dominate this one from start to finish, particular if Toronto is shorthanded.
Houston (-4.5) over NEW JERSEY – Striking or otherwise, this Jason Kidd fiasco is leaving us in a position in which we have no desire to go anywhere near the Nets.
NEW ORLEANS (-8.5) over Memphis – Still having trouble getting reads on both of these teams. But we know for sure that New Orleans is markedly better.
Utah over SAN ANTONIO (-2.5) – Tim Duncan isn’t a definite to go for the Spurs, and the Jazz are playing exceptionally hot ball as of late.
SACRAMENTO (-4.5) over LA Clippers – The Kings are legitimately good at home. No two ways about it. The Clips are in a tailspin and are likely to be without Sam Cassell once more. The logic is simple enough. Here’s hoping the winning of the game is quite as easy.
GOLDEN STATE (-7.5) over Miami – The Warriors can run anyone out on any given night. The fact that the Heat are as cold as is imaginable and come off a loss in Portland last night only make it more likely that we will see more runnin’, gunnin’ and funnin’ from the boys from Oaktown.
SEATTLE over Milwaukee (-0.5) – The Sonics have won two of three, and the Bucks only win in their last six outings came against the depleted Clips. Thanks but no thanks.
Last night: 1-2 Season: 142-133
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