Inside the Paint - Monday
By Chris David
The NBA slows down the pace on Monday and that’s going to be the theme for the entire week, considering the league will be preparing for the All-Star Game in Phoenix this weekend.
After Sunday’s double-header showdown, it’s hard to pinpoint one great battle to watch over the next four days. However, all teams will be playing at least two games over this stretch and most are hoping to finish the first-half strong.
Let’s take a closer look at tonight’s four-game card.
Phoenix at Philadelphia: The Suns continue to burn gamblers at the ticket counter this year with a dismal 16-30 record against the spread. Most pundits believe that Phoenix’s roster will be broken into pieces soon, with All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire rumored in numerous trade reports. This will be the second game of a three-game road trip for Phoenix, who played at Detroit Sunday. Philadelphia found out Thursday that wouldn’t have forward Elton Brand for the rest of the season and the team still defeated Indiana, 99-94. Some might say the team has played better without the big man this season and the offense has had more flow. The Suns have gone 11-8 against the East this year, while the 76ers stand at 9-9 versus the West. The road team won and covered the two encounters in this head-to-head series last season. The total went 1-1.
L.A. Clippers at Charlotte: The Clippers wrap up their seven-game road trip on Monday against the Bobcats. Los Angeles started the stretch on the wrong foot (0-4 SU, 0-4 ATS) but has won back-to-back games, including a 121-97 win against Atlanta on Saturday. Including this win, the Clips have just four victories against Eastern Conference opponents this season. Charlotte has won 13 of its 19 games at home this year but the team is mired in a four-game losing skid, both SU and ATS. The Bobcats will be facing a back-to-back spot tonight after facing Miami in South Florida on Sunday. Larry Brown’s team has struggled to a 3-8 SU and 5-6 ATS mark in the second game. Last year, the Bobcats defeated the Clippers in both meetings and the ‘over’ cashed in each battle.
New Orleans at Memphis: The Hornets are still dealing with injuries and the status of point guard Chris Paul and center Tyson Chandler are ‘questionable’ for tonight. New Orleans recently snapped a four-game skid last Friday but the win came against a depleted Toronto (101-92) club. After suffering a brutal 12-game losing streak, Memphis has won and covered three of its last four. Eleven of the Grizzlies four wins have come at home this year and the club is 12-17 ATS at home. The Hornets have won seven straight (3-3-1 ATS) against the Grizzlies, including a pair of victories this year. The ‘over’ has gone 9-1 in the last 10 battles but the talent and pace on the court tonight is incomparable to previous encounters.
Houston at Milwaukee: The Rockets have won three of their last four games but have showed inconsistent efforts versus weaker teams, evidenced by a 104-93 road loss to Memphis last week. Houston has gone 13-14 both SU and ATS on the road this season, while the ‘over’ has surprised some bettors with a 17-9 ledger. It’s a matter of time before Milwaukee’s playoff chances are obsolete and it’s all due to injuries. Scott Skiles’ team has lost Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut and Luke Ridnour for months or the season. The Bucks have dropped two straight games, including a 126-121 overtime decision to Detroit on Saturday. Milwaukee owns a 14-9 SU and 13-10 ATS record at home this season. The Rockets have been mediocre versus the East this year, compiling an 11-10 record. However, Houston has won eight in a row against Milwaukee and has covered six of those battles.
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Phoenix (28-21, 17-29-2 ATS) at Philadelphia (25-24, 24-23-2 ATS)
The Suns travel to the Wachovia Center in search of their fourth straight road win over an Eastern Conference squad when they take on the 76ers.
Phoenix pounded Detroit 107-97 as a one-point underdog Sunday for its second straight win and its third in its last four games (2-1-1 ATS). Dating back to late January, the Suns have won three of their last four SU and ATS on the road, and they have really picked up the scoring lately, averaging 114.8 points per game over their last five while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.
Like the Suns, Philadelphia is on a two-game winning streak after beating the Heat 94-84 on Saturday, cashing as a 3½-point home chalk. The Sixers are on Game No. 6 of a seven-game homestand (3-2 SU, 2-1-2 ATS), bringing their home record to a mediocre 15-11 (12-12-2 ATS).
The Suns are 6-2 SU and ATS in the last eight meetings with the Sixers, and the road team won both clashes a season ago. The Sixers scored a 119-114 win in Phoenix as 9½-point underdogs, but the Suns returned the favor with a 107-93 win in Philly as 3½-point favorites. The chalk is 9-2 ATS in the last 11 battles between these two, and the Suns are 9-3 ATS in the last 12.
Despite last night’s win and cover in Detroit, Phoenix is on ATS slides of 9-21-2 overall, 3-6-1 on the road, 3-8-1 against the Eastern Conference, 0-4-1 against the Atlantic Division and 2-5 on Mondays. Philadelphia is 0-4 ATS in its last four on Mondays, but the Sixers are on positive pointspread runs of 11-4-2 overall, 5-2 against Western Conference teams and 8-2 against teams with a winning record.
The Suns are on “under” streaks of 7-4 against Eastern Conference teams, 4-1 on Mondays and 4-0 on the second night of a back-to-back. The Sixers have stayed below the total in five of seven overall, 21 of 31 at home and 22 of 29 on Mondays. Also, the under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings in this series.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
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NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Monday, Feb. 9
Phoenix at Philadelphia (7 p.m. EST). A matchup of second-place teams. Philadelphia is coming off a 94-84 win over Miami on Saturday night. Phoenix is dealing with the trade rumors of All-Star starter Amare Stoudemire.
STARS
Sunday
— Kevin Durant, Thunder, scored 39 points—his fourth straight game with 30 or more—as Oklahoma City held off Sacramento 116-113.
— Lamar Odom, Lakers, scored a season-high 28 points—15 in the third quarter— and grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds as Los Angeles handed Cleveland its first home loss this season, 101-91.
— Caron Butler, Wizards, scored 15 straight points, including a game-winning 18-footer at the buzzer, and finished with 35 as Washington edged Indiana 119-117.
— Dwight Howard, Magic, had 30 points and 16 rebounds to lift Orlando to a 101-84 victory over New Jersey.
— Steve Nash, Suns, scored 15 and had a season-high 21 assists while directing a balanced offense for Phoenix in a 107-97 win over Detroit.
— Greg Oden, Trail Blazers, had 17 points and 12 rebounds for his 15th double-double of the season, and added a career-high six blocked shots in Portland’s 109-108 win over New York.
STREAK STOPPERS
The Los Angeles Lakers handed Cleveland its first home loss this season, beating the Cavaliers 101-91 on Sunday. Cleveland came in 23-0 at Quicken Loans Arena before falling to the Lakers, who also ended Boston’s 19-game winning streak on Christmas Day and halted a 12-game run by the Celtics earlier this week. It was Cleveland’s first loss at home since Game 5 against Washington in the first round of last season’s playoffs.
SURGING SPURS
San Antonio scored 11 straight points in the final 45 seconds to turn a one-point deficit into a 105-99 victory over Boston on Sunday. Roger Mason pulled up and leaned into a 3-pointer with 20.4 seconds left to give San Antonio the lead, then hit a pair of free throws after Manu Ginobili hit four for the Spurs.
SICK STAR
Kobe Bryant had 19 points in nearly 35 minutes despite suffering from the flu in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 101-91 victory over Cleveland on Sunday. Bryant vomited before the game, shivered with chills throughout and needed intravenous fluids at halftime.
IN STITCHES
Miami’s Dwyane Wade needed six stitches after getting accidentally hit over his left eye by Charlotte’s Juwan Howard in the Heat’s 96-92 win Sunday night. After the game, Wade wore oversized red boxing gloves and a black robe, barely able to see out of the eye.
SHUT DOWN
Cleveland’s LeBron James scored 16 points, but missed 15 of his 20 field-goal tries in the Cavaliers’ 101-91 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
BUZZER BEATER
Brandon Roy’s finger-roll layup at the buzzer gave the Portland Trail Blazers a 109-108 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday. With the Blazers trailing by one, they called a timeout with 4.3 seconds left before Roy took an inbound pass from Rudy Fernandez and drove for the winning layup.
SEE YA
New Orleans All-Star forward David West was ejected after a hard foul from behind on Mike Miller late in the second quarter of the Hornets’ 101-97 win over Minnesota on Sunday night. Miller was driving to the hoop when West chopped his right arm down over Miller’s right shoulder from behind, catching Miller in the face with a forearm. West was called for a flagrant-2 foul, which carries an automatic ejection. The play also will be reviewed by the league and could result in a suspension.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Devin Harris had 28 points and 12 assists, and Brook Lopez added 19 points and 12 rebounds for the New Jersey Nets, who had their four-game winning streak snapped with a 101-84 loss at Orlando on Sunday. … David Lee had 29 points and 11 rebounds in New York’s 109-108 loss at Portland. … Beno Udrih finished with 29 points as Sacramento fell 116-113 at Oklahoma City. … Al Jefferson led Minnesota with 25 points and 14 rebounds, but had to be helped off the court inside the final 30 seconds with a right knee injury in the T-Wolves 101-97 loss at New Orleans. … Deron Williams had 31 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds for Utah, which lost 116-96 at Golden State.
SPEAKING
“I wasn’t going to come out. I wasn’t going to let Coach know I was tired. Every time he made eye contact with me, I tried to seem as bright as I could. Just trying to stay out there and will my way through it.”—Washington’s Caron Butler, who returned after missing two games with the flu and scored 15 straight points, including a game-winning 18-footer at the buzzer, as the Wizards edged Indiana 119-117 on Sunday night. He also needed three IV treatments during the game.
“I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time I was in a game, down the stretch, game on the line.”—New Orleans’ Sean Marks, a native New Zealander and career reserve in his ninth NBA season, who dunked with 7.8 seconds left to cap a career-high 18-point effort in the Hornets’ 101-97 victory over Minnesota on Sunday.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Charlotte Bobcats
Al Thornton went for a game-high 31 points in helping the Clippers upset the Hawks 121-97 on Saturday, as 7-point underdogs. The 218 points sailed OVER the night's posted total of 202.
Zach Randolph contributed 25 points and nine rebounds, while Fred Jones dished out nine assists in that win.
The Bobcats lost to Miami 96-92 as an 8-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (183).
D.J. Augustin led the Bobcats with 27 points and Juwan Howard deposited 14 points in the loss.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has won 2 straight games.
Charlotte has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 12-39 SU, 21-30 ATS
Charlotte: 19-31 SU, 29-21 ATS
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Monday are 3-7
Before playing New York are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 5-5
After a win are 3-7
Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Monday are 3-7
Before playing Washington are 3-7
After playing Miami are 2-8
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 5 games on the road
LA Clippers are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing Charlotte
LA Clippers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games on the road
Charlotte is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Charlotte's last 6 games
Charlotte is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Charlotte's last 7 games at home
Next up:
LA Clippers home to New York, Wednesday, February 11
Charlotte home to Washington, Wednesday, February 11
Phoenix Suns vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Suns defeated Detroit 107-97 as a 1-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (198.5).
Jason Richardson scored 21 points for Phoenix and Shaquille O'Neal added 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The 76ers overcame a late deficit to defeat the Heat 94-84 on Saturday. The 76ers covered the 3.5-point spread, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 193.
Marreese Speights had 15 points with six rebounds, and Andre Miller also had 15 points in that win.
Current streak:
Phoenix has won 2 straight games.
Philadelphia has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Phoenix: 28-21 SU, 18-30-1 ATS
Philadelphia: 25-24 SU, 24-23-2 ATS
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Monday are 8-2
Before playing Cleveland are 7-3
After playing Detroit are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Memphis are 2-8
After playing Miami are 4-6
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Phoenix is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
Phoenix is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Phoenix's last 14 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games
Philadelphia is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing Phoenix
Next up:
Phoenix at Cleveland, Wednesday, February 11
Philadelphia home to Memphis, Wednesday, February 11
New Orleans Hornets vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Hornets defeated Minnesota 101-97 as a 2.5-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (190.5).
Rasual Butler scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds for New Orleans, while Sean Marks added 18 points in the win.
The Grizzlies were locked in a tight battle, but came out on top with a 78-70 victory over the Raptors on Saturday. The Grizzlies won the game as a pick'em, and the 148 points fell well UNDER the posted total of 199.
Mike Conley collected 15 points, six rebounds and eight assists to lead the way.
Current streak:
New Orleans has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
New Orleans: 30-18 SU, 21-25-2 ATS
Memphis: 14-36 SU, 18-31-1 ATS
New Orleans most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 7-3
After a win are 4-6
Memphis most recently:
When playing on Monday are 2-8
Before playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After playing Toronto are 5-5
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Orleans's last 5 games
New Orleans is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 11 of New Orleans's last 12 games when playing Memphis
New Orleans is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Memphis's last 12 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Memphis's last 13 games at home
Next up:
New Orleans home to Boston, Wednesday, February 11
Memphis at Philadelphia, Wednesday, February 11
Houston Rockets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Rockets dominated the fourth quarter to put away the Timberwolves 107-90 on Saturday. The Rockets covered the 7.5-point spread, but the 197 points went UNDER the posted total of 199.5.
Yao Ming dropped a team -high 30 points to go with six rebounds. Rafer Alston chipped in with 22 points in that win.
The Bucks fell 126-121 to the Pistons in overtime on Saturday, as 4-point underdogs at home. The combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 184.
Ramon Sessions collected a game-high 44 points for the Bucks, and Charlie Villanueva added 33 points in the loss.
Current streak:
Milwaukee has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Houston: 31-20 SU, 23-27-1 ATS
Milwaukee: 24-29 SU, 29-22-2 ATS
Houston most recently:
When playing on Monday are 8-2
Before playing Sacramento are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Monday are 2-8
Before playing Indiana are 1-9
After playing Detroit are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 7 games when playing Houston
Milwaukee is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games at home
Next up:
Houston home to Sacramento, Wednesday, February 11
Milwaukee home to Indiana, Wednesday, February 11
PHOENIX (28 - 21) at PHILADELPHIA (25 - 24)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 2-2 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 2-2 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS (12 - 39) at CHARLOTTE (19 - 31)
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 55-77 ATS (-29.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 46-66 ATS (-26.6 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 61-87 ATS (-34.7 Units) in February games since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 29-47 ATS (-22.7 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 17-30 ATS (-16.0 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHARLOTTE is 2-2 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 2-2 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS (30 - 18) at MEMPHIS (14 - 36)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 5-4 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 9-1 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
9 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON (31 - 20) at MILWAUKEE (24 - 29)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
HOUSTON is 277-228 ATS (+26.2 Units) in road games since 1996.
HOUSTON is 28-13 ATS (+13.7 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 90-64 ATS (+19.6 Units) against Central division opponents since 1996.
HOUSTON is 49-31 ATS (+14.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 28-51 ATS (-28.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 195 and 199.5 points since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 28-44 ATS (-20.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 143-183 ATS (-58.3 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 4-1 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 5-0 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS vs. CHARLOTTE
LA Clippers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games
LA Clippers are 4-21 SU in their last 25 games
Charlotte is 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing LA Clippers
Charlotte is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
PHOENIX vs. PHILADELPHIA
Phoenix is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
Phoenix is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 2-3-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Philadelphia is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
HOUSTON vs. MILWAUKEE
Houston is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Houston is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
Milwaukee is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
NEW ORLEANS vs. MEMPHIS
New Orleans is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
New Orleans is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Memphis is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans
Memphis is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans
Hot Teams
-- 76ers are 8-3 in their last eleven home games. Suns won three of their last four games.
-- Clippers won last two games by 21-24 points, after losing previous seven ballgames.
-- Grizzlies won three of their last four games.
-- Rockets won three of their last four games.
Cold Teams
-- Bobcats lost their last five games (1-4 vs spread).
-- Hornets lost three of their last four road games.
-- Bucks are 4-7 in their last eleven games.
Totals
-- Under is 7-3 in Philadelphia's last ten games.
-- Last six Clipper games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Memphis games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Milwaukee games stayed under the total.
Back-to Back
-- Suns are 5-3 vs spread if they played the night before.
-- Charlotte is 4-7 vs spread if they played the night before.
-- Hornets are 1-5 vs spread on road if they played the night before.
Monday Research
By Indiancowboy
L.A. Clippers vs. Charlotte
Note that these two teams have not met this year but Charlotte did sweep the Clippers last year in 2 games winning by 5 and 7. The Clippers come off a huge win over the Hawks on the road as they are healthy and Charlotte comes off yet another loss but did cover with revenge at Miami. The Bobcats are a bit banged up with injuries but Augustin did come back for the last game and was the leading scorer for the Bobcats but the latest injury reports have Bell (Groin) and Wallace (Ribs) out indefintely.
Phoenix vs. Philadelphia
Phoenix comes off a big win over the Pistons on the road as I have been highly critical of Coach Porter. There is no line yet but we will see how Phoenix does on the Back to back here as Philly plays host. These two teams have not met this year and note that Phoenix is no better than 5-5 over their last 10 games. Philly comes off back to back wins over Miami and Indiana. Do note that Philly to their credit did defeat Miami, Indiana, Wash and NY at home and fell just short to both Dallas and Boston at home. I can see Philly pulling the upset here as there is no line as I write this, but they are likely a small dog.
New Orleans vs. Memphis
There are several things going on with this game. For starters, Paul is Out. Chandler is listed as Questionable and West could be out due to an earlier suspension. On the other hand, you have Arther and Gay who are both listed as questionable for this game. NO comes off a miracle win and a miracle cover on the closing number against Minny. Memphis to their credit did manage to defeat Toronto on a very low scoring game. The game went well under as well sa it didn't even exceed 150 points. Memphis of course does have revenge from earlier season losses of 84-91 at home and 87-106 on the road to NO. But, to this Memphis team's credit, they did beat Houston at home and as mentioned, they did beat Toronto. Obviously, it is important as to who is playin today, but I think Memphis does well in particular if Gay plays.
Houston vs. Milwaukee
I don't know if you remember, but these two teams hooked up on December 31st of last year for a very good game in which Houston won 85-81. Houston comes off a nice 17 point win over Minny in a game they were actually down fairly big after the first quarter, came to tie it up at half and then went on to get the cover and the 17 point win. Even without Redd, Milwaukee is being competitive. This team has beat Toronto on the road (when Bosh played in that game), just lost to Detroit at home in OT and beat Atlanta at home as well. The line sits at +6.5 as Houston comes into town and the public is abuot 60% in favor of Houston here which is not all that much. Out of the 3 of their last 4 road games Houston did lose SU to NY, Indiana and Memphis and did win at Detroit Outright as 3 point underdogs. I lean on Milwaukee here to hang tough as it is likely to be a low scoring game.