Saturday's NBA Bet
New Orleans Hornets at Sacramento Kings (6, 186.5)
It’s all about defense for the Hornets. New Orleans has used a dedicated team approach to shutting down opponents during its 10-game winning streak. It has held opponents to 89 or fewer points nine times in this span.
Overall, the Hornets are the stingiest team in the league, giving up just 90.9 points per game. What’s been key for New Orleans is its ability to be diverse at shutting down opponents.The team practices mixing in a zone look, along with several different ways to defend pick and rolls.
And then there is the inspired play of David West and Emeka Okafor in the frontcourt.
“He wants us to attack teams,’’ West said. “Defensively is where you can really make your mark in terms of what type of team you want to have.’’
Sacramento, meantime, isn’t that interested at working hard. The team averages just 97 points per game, putting them 21st in the league, and makes a mere 43.9 percent of their shots – 26th lowest mark in the game.
The Kings have failed to reach their season average in points five times over their past 10 games and, not surprisingly, are 2-3 SU over that span. Overall, the Kings have dropped eight of their past 10. The team is also missing key contributor Francisco Garcia (9.3 ppg) and are just 1-3 SU and 1-3 ATS since he suffered a calf injury.
Pick: New Orleans
Scorching Spurs host Houston Rockets
By: Michael Robinson
The San Antonio Spurs are showing no signs of slowing down as they host the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.
The NBA-best Spurs (39-7 straight-up, 27-17-2 against the spread) are in a very strange portion of their schedule. They just finished a three-game road trip at New Orleans, Golden State and Utah, and will head off for nine more (the annual Rodeo Trip) after this game.
San Antonio has played well wherever it has been lately, 10-1 SU (6-4-1 ATS) in its last 11 games. The only clunker was a 96-72 debacle at New Orleans last Saturday, but it rebounded with wins and ‘covers’ at Golden State (113-102) and Utah (112-105).
Defense has been better overall lately, allowing 94 PPG the last 11 games, compared to 96.9 PPG for the season. The offense has decreased in that span at 99.9 PPG versus 104.3 PPG (ranked fifth) for the season.
The ‘under’ is 9-2 in the last 11, although the ‘over’ is 2-0 in the last two.
Coach Gregg Popovich is more comfortable with lower scoring games. He knows that shootout wins are more prevalent in the regular season than in the playoffs, when play slows down.
Popovich has been fortunate with all five starters healthy for every game. He’s done a great job keeping the minutes down for stars Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. They range from 29.4 to 32.9 minutes per game. It helps having a bench that’s four-five deep.
The Spurs have been ridiculous at home at 24-2 SU (14-11-1 ATS). They’ve won 17 straight home games, with the last loss the day after Thanksgiving to Dallas. The ‘under’ is 14-3 in those 17 home games.
Houston (22-26 SU, 24-22-2 ATS) last played Thursday at Dallas, a 111-106 loss as 6½-point ‘dogs. The Rockets trailed by 23 points early in the second quarter, but fought all the way back to trail by one (104-103) with under a minute left. The ‘cover’ makes them 3-0 ATS in their last three games.
The 217 combined points scored went ‘over’ the 204 ½-point total. The ‘over’ is 4-1 in Houston’s last five games and 5-0 in its last five road games.
The last five contests have been a microcosm of the Rockets’ season. They’ve scored 109 PPG, but allowed 110.4 PPG (going 2-3 SU). Their season scoring average is 105.3 PPG (ranked fourth), with the defense at 104.8 PPG (ranked 25th).
Part of Houston’s defensive woes are due to lack of effort, but coach Rick Adelman also has a personnel problem. Kevin Martin (23.3 PPG) and Luis Scola (19.3 PPG) are very good scorers, but give up a lot on the other end. Current starting center Chuck Hayes battles hard, but he can only do so much at just 6-foot-6.
The ‘D’ is not likely going to improve much anytime soon. Big man Yao Ming (ankle) is out for the year again. Reserve center Brad Miller (knee) is also out Saturday. The reserve ‘bigs’ left are very inexperienced guys in Jordan Hill and rookie Patrick Patterson.
San Antonio’s only injury is reserve forward Matt Bonner (knee), who is doubtful.
These teams have met once this year (Nov. 6) with San Antonio winning 124-121 at home in OT. Houston ‘covered’ as 6½-point ‘dogs and is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 games in San Antonio. The ‘over’ is 4-0 in the last four overall.
The Spurs’ bench has a big edge in this game, with reserve point Aaron Brooks (12.4 PPG) Houston’s only steady contributor. The biggest obstacle for San Antonio could be looking past Houston while thinking about its upcoming odyssey.
Tip-off from AT&T Center is 5:30 p.m. (PT) and will be broadcast locally.