(13) Pitt (12-1, 5-3 ATS) at (17) Villanova (12-0, 4-5 ATS)
Two days after wrapping up a very successful non-conference campaign with an easy win, the Panthers begin Big East play with a road game at Villanova.
Pitt rebounded from its first loss of the season – an ugly 80-55 setback at Dayton eight days ago – by pounding Lafayette 96-75 in a non-lined home game on Wednesday. The Panthers, who enter this contest on a 5-2 ATS run, exploded offensively in the victory after being held to season lows of 65 and 55 points in their previous two outings.
Villanova’s first Big East game didn’t go as planned, as the Wildcats lost 84-76 at DePaul, snapping a six-game winning streak that had vaulted Jay Wright’s squad back into the Top 20. Villanova, which failed as a 3½-point road chalk at DePaul, has failed to cash in three consecutive games.
These teams met just once last year, and Panthers scored a 65-59 road victory as a two-point underdog. Pitt is 4-2 in the last six meeting (3-3 ATS), four of which have taken place in the Big East tournament. The hose is 4-1 SU and ATS in the last five regular-season clashes.
Both squads can score the rock, with Pitt putting up 79.8 points per game, just a tick less than the Wildcats’ 80.2 ppg average.
Going back to last year, the Panthers are 3-7 ATS in road games.
The under is 4-2 in ‘Nova’s last six games, 5-2 in Pitt’s last seven lined outings, 18-7 in the Panthers’ last 25 non-conference games, 5-1 in the last six series meetings and 4-1 in the past five head-to-head battles on Villanova’s home floor.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
(10) Marquette (11-1, 5-1 ATS) at West Virginia (10-3, 4-3 ATS)
Marquette shoots for its eighth consecutive victory, and second to open the conference season, when it heads to Morgantown to battle the Mountaineers.
The Eagles toyed with Providence in their league opener on Thursday, rolling to a 96-67 win, easily covering as an 11½-point home chalk. With the exception of a five-point win at Wisconsin, the Golden Eagles have been absolutely crushing opponents during their winning streak, prevailing by margins of 29, 40, 47, 24, 31 and 35 points.
West Virginia’s Big East campaign got off to a bad start, as it fell 69-56 at Notre Dame as a one-point road underdog. The Mountaineers have followed up an eight-game winning streak with back-to-back losses, and they’re 0-3 ATS in their last three after covering their first four lined games of the season.
These schools have met just once each of the past two years, with the home team scoring blowout victories in each contest. In 2006, West Virginia rolled 104-85 as a 10-point chalk, but the Eagles got revenge with an 81-63 rout last year as a three-point favorite.
For the season, Marquette is outscoring opponents by a whopping 22 points per game (82-60) while shooting 49.9 percent from the field and holding foes to 39.3 percent shooting. The Eagles also average 80 ppg on the road, where they are 3-1 SU (3-0 ATS), the only blemish being a four-point loss to Duke in the Maui Invitational back in November.
West Virginia has won six of its seven home games, only two of which came against lined competition (1-1 ATS). The Mountaineers are averaging 90 points per game in their building and giving up just 58 ppg.
The Mountaineers are 7-1 ATS in their last eight Sunday tip-offs and 19-7 ATS in their last 26 at home, but 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine Big East battles.
The over is 4-2 in Marquette’s last six lined games, 9-2 in its last 11 on the highway, 14-3 in its last 17 conference contests, 8-2 in West Virginia’s last 10 on the road and 4-1 in West Virginia’s last five Big East affairs.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MARQUETTE and OVER
(1) North Carolina (14-0, 11-1 ATS) at (19) Clemson (12-1, 7-3 ATS)
The top-ranked Tar Heels play their first ACC game of the season when they travel to Clemson to face a one-loss team that went undefeated on its home floor in non-league action.
North Carolina kicked off 2008 in impressive style, routing Kent 90-61 as a 19½-point home favorite. The Tar Heels have cashed in 11 consecutive lined games since failing to cover in the season-opener against Davidson. In fact, Roy Williams’ troops haven’t been challenged in more than a month, winning their last seven by margins of 29, 32, 36, 35, 10, 22 and 35 points.
The Tar Heels are the nation’s second-best team offensively, pouring in an astounding 92.2 points per game.
The Tigers destroyed Alabama 87-61 as a two-point road chalk on New Year’s Day. Clemson’s only loss this season came on Dec. 22, when it fell 85-82 to Ole Miss as a three-point favorite in the championship game of the San Juan Shootout in Puerto Rico. Despite that upset defeat, Clemson is still on a 5-2 ATS roll.
Going back to last season, the Tigers have cashed in 10 of their last 14 games, but 1-5-1 ATS versus conference opponents.
This is a big-time revenge game for the Tigers, who suffered an ugly 77-55 home loss to North Carolina last January as a four-point home underdog in the only meeting of the season between the schools. In fact, Clemson has dropped six straight games in this rivalry (2-4 ATS), including four consecutive double-digit regular-season losses.
The Tar Heels played their last five games at home, following a stretch in which they played six in a row on the highway (four true road games, two neutral-site contests). Not only did they win all six of those road games, they covered the number each time out. For the season, UNC is beating teams by an average of 19 ppg when it hits the highway (88-69).
Clemson is 7-0 in its building, but only 3-2 against the number. The Tigers average 79 ppg at home while yielding just 57 ppg.
The over is 7-2 in Clemson’s last nine home games, 10-3 in Clemson’s last 13 overall, 9-4 in UNC’s last 13 ACC battles and 5-1 in the last six series meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NORTH CAROLINA and OVER
Thomas, Williams could be ready to play
They'll probably be available Sunday against San Antonio.
January 6, 2008
It was a sight for sore eyes . . . and sore ankles, knees and elbows.
Forward Tim Thomas stood beyond the arc at Saturday's practice making three-point shots and forward Aaron Williams plugged the middle.
Both will probably be available to aid a depleted front line today when the Clippers play host to the San Antonio Spurs in a matinee game at Staples Center.
Thomas sat out four games because of a sore knee and Williams sat out eight because of a bruised wrist and still cannot shoot well with it.
Thomas said of his knee: "It feels pretty good. I'm still not where I really want to be, but I'm good enough to play and that's a good thing. It's not swelling up and it's not sore the next day, so that's a good sign.
"To be out there and mix it up with the guys and push guys in the paint, that's what you miss. I only missed four games, but it seemed like a whole month."
Their availability allowed the Clippers to run a rare full practice that included an even rarer full-court scrimmage.
"It was moving in the right direction, there's no question about that," Coach Mike Dunleavy said. "Getting guys back for the first time is a good step, but it's not a month worth of training camp when you are in your zone. But if you can stay healthy, that will help us."
The team will look for Thomas to stretch the defense with his long-range shooting and create space for Chris Kaman in the middle. In two of the games that Thomas sat out, Kaman finished with nine points, the only two times this season he has failed to score in double figures.
The Clippers are last in the league in scoring at 92.6 points a game and tied with Chicago for last in shooting at 41.9%.
To try to get things flowing against the Spurs may be arduous, but the Clippers played them decently in a 99-90 loss at San Antonio last month.
"We were down 20 in the first half and the second half we came back and did a nice job," Dunleavy said. "We played hard and we were efficient offensively and did some good things defensively."
Dodgers first baseman James Loney attended practice and played a game of H-O-R-S-E with Sam Cassell.
Predictably, the basketball player trumped the baseball player.
"If he is out here shooting jumpers with you, then you have to try and hit a curveball with him," quipped Neil Olshey, the Clippers' director of player personnel.
latimes.com
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors
- The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Air Canada Centre.
Cleveland's LeBron James led the way with a near triple-double in Friday's 97-93 win over Sacramento, failing to cover the 8-point home spread. The 190 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 192.5.
James had 24 points, ten assists and eight rebounds, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas chipped in 14 points and 15 boards for the Cavaliers.
Toronto was outscored by 14 points in the fourth quarter of Friday's 101-85 loss to Detroit, falling as 4.5-point home underdogs. The 186 points scored were OVER the posted total of 184.5.
Andrea Bargnani was 10-for-16 from the floor with 25 points, and Chris Bosh had 23 points and 16 boards for the Raptors.
Current streak:
Cleveland has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Cleveland: 16-17 SU, 13-20 ATS
Toronto: 17-16 SU, 18-15 ATS
Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Seattle are 7-3
After playing Sacramento are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Philadelphia are 2-8
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 7 games
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto's last 10 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games
Toronto is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland
Next up:
Cleveland home to Seattle, Tuesday, January 8
Toronto home to Philadelphia, Wednesday, January 9
Seattle SuperSonics vs. Washington Wizards
- The Seattle SuperSonics and the Washington Wizards will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Verizon Center.
The SuperSonics were defeated 104-96 by Phoenix last time out, as 14.5-point underdogs. The 200 points were UNDER the posted total of 218.
Kevin Durant shot 11-for-24 from the field with 28 points and seven rebounds.
Washington raced out to a 23-10 first-quarter lead in Friday's 101-77 win at Milwaukee, covering the 2.5-point road spread. The 178 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 196.
Antawn Jamison powered his way to 24 points, and Antonio Daniels added 14 points for the Wizards.
Current streak:
Seattle has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Seattle: 9-23 SU, 16-16 ATS
Washington: 16-15 SU, 19-11-1 ATS
Seattle most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 1-9
Before playing Cleveland are 5-5
After playing Phoenix are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
Washington most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Houston are 4-6
After playing Milwaukee are 7-3
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing Washington
Seattle is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Washington is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games at home
Washington is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Seattle
Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Next up:
Seattle at Cleveland, Tuesday, January 8
Washington home to Houston, Tuesday, January 8
San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers
- The San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at STAPLES Center.
San Antonio took advantage of 16 New York turnovers in Friday's 97-93 win, failing to cover the 12-point home spread. The 190 points scored were OVER the posted total of 185.5.
Bruce Bowen was the high man with 15 points, and Michael Finley was next with 14 points for the Spurs.
Corey Maggette led the Clippers with 20 points in their 95-81 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night.
The Hornets covered as 4.5-point road favorites as the game played under the 184-point total set by books.
Team records:
San Antonio: 22-9 SU, 17-14 ATS
Los Angeles: 10-20 SU, 13-17 ATS
San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 9-1
Before playing Golden State are 10-0
After playing New York are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Orlando are 4-6
After playing New Orleans are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of San Antonio's last 14 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
San Antonio is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of the LA Clippers last 14 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the LA Clippers last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the LA Clippers last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of the LA Clippers last 23 games when playing San Antonio
Next up:
San Antonio at Golden State, Monday, January 7
LA Clippers home to Orlando, Wednesday, January 9
Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
- The Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Target Center.
Dallas outscored Miami by eight points in the fourth quarter of Friday's 94-89 win, failing to cover the 14-point home spread. The 183 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 196.5.
Dirk Nowitzki led the way with 24 points and ten rebounds, and Josh Howard had 18 points for the Mavericks.
Minnesota had 12 turnovers in Friday's 11-107 loss to Denver, falling as 6-point home underdogs. The 225 points scored were OVER the posted total of 207.
Rashad McCants came off the bench for a game-high 34 points, and Al Jefferson had 24 points and 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves.
Current streak:
Dallas has won 3 straight games.
Minnesota has lost 7 straight games.
Team records:
Dallas: 22-11 SU, 14-18-1 ATS
Minnesota: 4-28 SU, 13-19 ATS
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Detroit are 9-1
After playing Miami are 4-6
After a win are 7-3
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Miami are 6-4
After playing Denver are 4-6
After a loss are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Dallas's last 7 games
Dallas is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Minnesota's last 12 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games
Minnesota is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Dallas
Next up:
Dallas home to Detroit, Wednesday, January 9
Minnesota home to Miami, Tuesday, January 8
Miami Heat vs. Memphis Grizzlies
- The Miami Heat and the Memphis Grizzlies will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at FedExForum.
Miami were outscored by eight points in the final quarter of Friday's 94-89 loss at Dallas, falling as 14-point road underdogs. The 183 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 196.5.
Ricky Davis and Mark Blount dropped 17 points apiece for the Heat.
Memphis' comeback fell just short in Friday's 100-96 loss at Boston, coming in as 13.5-point road underdogs. The 196 points scored were OVER the posted total of 194.
Rudy Gay notched 21 points, and sub Juan Carlos Navarro added 20 points for the Grizzlies.
Current streak:
Miami has lost 6 straight games.
Team records:
Miami: 8-25 SU, 14-19 ATS
Memphis: 9-23 SU, 15-17 ATS
Miami most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Minnesota are 5-5
After playing Dallas are 8-2
After a loss are 3-7
Memphis most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing LA Lakers are 3-7
After playing Boston are 6-4
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Miami is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Memphis
Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami's last 8 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Memphis's last 8 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Memphis's last 25 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 6 games at home
Memphis is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Miami
Next up:
Miami at Minnesota, Tuesday, January 8
Memphis home to LA Lakers, Tuesday, January 8
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Charlotte Bobcats
- The fans at Charlotte Bobcats Arena will be treated to a game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Charlotte Bobcats when they take their seats on Sunday.
Milwaukee fell behind early in Friday's 101-77 loss to Washington, coming in as 2.5-point home underdogs. The 178 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 196.
Charlie Villanueva came off the bench with 20 points, while Mo Williams had 13 points for the Bucks.
Charlotte had 21 turnovers in Friday's 102-96 loss at New Jersey, falling as 5-point road underdogs. The 202 points scored were OVER the posted total of 192.
Jason Richardson scored a game-high 33 points, while Gerald Wallace put up 25 points and 12 boards for the Bobcats.
Current streak:
Charlotte has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Milwaukee: 12-20 SU, 12-19-1 ATS
Charlotte: 11-20 SU, 10-20-1 ATS
Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After playing Washington are 3-7
After a loss are 4-6
Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 2-7
Before playing New Jersey are 2-8
After playing New Jersey are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games on the road
Milwaukee is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing Charlotte
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games when playing Charlotte
Milwaukee is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte's last 5 games at home
Charlotte is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Charlotte's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Charlotte's last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Next up:
Milwaukee at Philadelphia, Tuesday, January 8
Charlotte home to New Jersey, Tuesday, January 8
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Denver Nuggets
- The Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Pepsi Center.
Philadelphia were down by 24 points at halftime of Friday's 124-93 loss to the Lakers, falling as 7.5-point road underdogs. The 217 points scored were OVER the posted total of 199.5.
Louis Williams had 17 points, while Thaddeus Young was next with 16 points for the 76ers.
Denver shot 54.3% from the field in Friday's 118-107 win at Minnesota, covering the 6-point road spread. The 225 points scored were OVER the posted total of 207.
Allen Iverson dropped 33 points, while Carmelo Anthony added 26 points for the Nuggets.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has lost 2 straight games.
Denver has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 14-19 SU, 16-16-1 ATS
Denver: 20-12 SU, 16-16 ATS
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Milwaukee are 2-8
After playing LA Lakers are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4
Denver most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Phoenix are 6-4
After playing Minnesota are 3-7
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Philadelphia's last 9 games on the road
Philadelphia is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games
Philadelphia is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Denver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Denver is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Denver is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games at home
Next up:
Philadelphia home to Milwaukee, Tuesday, January 8
Denver at Phoenix, Monday, January 7
Indiana Pacers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- The fans at STAPLES Center will be treated to a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Los Angeles Lakers when they take their seats on Sunday.
Indiana was 13-for-25 from three-point land in Friday's 113-91 win over Atlanta, covering the 3-point home spread. The 204 points scored were OVER the posted total of 195.5.
Danny Granger poured in a game-high 32 points, while Mike Dunleavy added 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Pacers.
Seven Lakers reached double figures in Friday's 124-93 win over Philadelphia, covering the 7.5-point home spread. The 217 points scored were OVER the posted total of 199.5.
Javaris Crittenton came off the bench with 19 points, and Andrew Bynum put up 17 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers.
Team records:
Indiana: 16-18 SU, 16-17-1 ATS
Los Angeles: 20-11 SU, 19-12 ATS
Indiana most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Utah are 4-6
After playing Atlanta are 3-7
After a win are 3-7
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Memphis are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Indiana's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
Indiana is 4-9 SU in their last 13 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 5 games at home
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Indiana
LA Lakers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 6 games
Next up:
Indiana at Utah, Tuesday, January 8
LA Lakers at Memphis, Tuesday, January 8
Swollen knee puts Dampier on sideline
DALLAS (AP) -- Mavericks center Erick Dampier will miss Sunday's game at Minnesota because of swelling in his left knee.
Dampier injured the knee Wednesday in a win against Golden State. He sat out Friday's win against Miami. The 12-year veteran is averaging 5.2 points and 6.4 rebounds this season. He is shooting 67.5 percent from the field.
Jerry Stackhouse is day-to-day after spraining his right thumb against the Heat.
Arenas may miss year
Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas isn't taking any chances with his recovery from knee surgery this time around, and he said yesterday he has considered not playing at all this season.
"It's all about me getting healthy this time," Arenas said. "If I'm not 110 percent, I'm not going to budge. I'm not in a rush."
But Arenas will change his stance if the Wizards can do some damage with him in the playoffs and the team clears his return.
"If we have a chance to go far in the playoffs with me playing, I'll say yeah," Arenas said. "If not, then I'll go ahead and shut it down. See ya."
Arenas has undergone a pair of surgeries on his left knee in a seven-month span. In April, doctors repaired his torn lateral meniscus. His second procedure in mid-November repaired a partial tear in his left medial meniscus.
The Wizards said Arenas could return in three months following the November surgery, which would put him on the court at about the middle of next month.
But in a recent posting on his blog at NBA.com, Arenas said he moved his return back at least one month.
Arenas also said he hasn't ruled out the possibility he won't play again until next fall.
"It all depends on how I feel," he said. "It could be March. It could be April. It depends on how I feel. But the bottom line is I have to protect the rest of my career. I don't want to jeopardize the rest of my career just to go out and play 15 games."
Arenas has grown tired of sitting on the sidelines and watching the Wizards, who are 13-10 in his absence.
Following the team's loss Wednesday to visiting Detroit, Arenas, who has remained on crutches since the injury, ditched them in the trash can next to his locker stall in the team's dressing room.
"Right now I don't need them anymore," he said. "I have felt like I could walk right after the surgery, but they have told me not to take any chances with it. Now I don't need them anymore, so I'm not going to use them. I don't know where those crutches are."
Yesterday, to demonstrate his knee's health, Arenas bent it 45 degrees "with no pain whatsoever."
Arenas averaged 22.4 points a game and shot 39 percent from the field in eight games this season. The three-time All-Star averaged 28.4 points and shot nearly 42 percent from the field last season.
Oddly, Arenas had two of his best performances of the season right before his second surgery. He scored 30 points and had 11 assists in a win over visiting Indiana and totaled 27 points and eight assists two days later at Minnesota.
Arenas said he was proud of the way the Wizards (16-15) have performed without him. And he also pondered whether he had returned too early and, as a result, not allowed the first surgery the appropriate time to heal.
"I thought about that, too," he said. "I mean, yeah. No. Yeah. But I can't go back and do anything about it, so that's foolish."
Note — Despite some soreness in his left knee following the team's win Friday at Milwaukee, Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said Daniels would play today. Daniels has averaged 16.0 points in two games back since missing seven with a sprained knee.
washingtontimes.com
Team likes T-Mac's chances to return on Friday
The Rockets have targeted Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves for Tracy McGrady to return from his knee injuries.
Team physician Dr. Tom Clanton said McGrady's tendinitis, bone bruise and strained popliteal tendon, all in his left knee, can be evaluated with a workout Thursday to determine if he would be able to play the next day.
"We still believe it will be around 7 to 10 days (after Wednesday's MRI)," Clanton said. "We obviously will re-evaluate him around this time. We have a home series coming up on the 11th of January. We'll take a look at him then to see if he can play. One of our rules is you have to be able to practice before you can play. We'll be evaluating him functionally to see if he can do the things to be able to practice."
The Rockets' only practice this week is Monday, but Clanton said the team can give McGrady enough of a test in an individual workout Thursday.
"We'll have him run, and we'll watch," Clanton said.
chron.com