Michael Cannon
Houston (-5) at LA LAKERS
Lay the points with Houston tonight when they visit the Staples Center to take on the Lakers.
There's just too much bad chemistry on the Lakers right now with Kobe Bryant demanding a trade and management's decision not to move him right now.
Kobe's most trusted forward, Lamar Odom, will miss this game with a shoulder injury.
Houston has too much for the Lakers to overcome here with T-Mac, Yao and Steve Francis.
The Lakers were a miserable 1-10-1 ATS in their final 12 games at the Staples Center last year.
Lay the points as the Rockets grab the road win and cover.
2♦ HOUSTON
SmartBetz -
8:00 pm est
Spurs/Blazers Under 189.5 - (4* Play)
Intensity will be high on Ring/Banner Night. Spurs will shut down this incredibly young Blazers team. The Spurs will do what they always do and concentrate on defense first. In fact they were in the Top 10 in 9 different Defensive categories last season.
Prediction : Spurs 97-83..... This ones worth a 4 star play
10:30 pm est
Lakers +5 - (3 Play)
Bryant will go nuts here to prove a point. No one has more pride than he does. Houston will be good, but this is a tough spot for them to open the season. Lakers keep this one close
Prediction : Houston 99-97....This ones worth a 3 star play
10:30 pm est
Utah +3.5 - (5***** Play)
Coach Sloan will have his team ready for the possible revenge angle. But how can there be revenge when 3 starters (Ellis - Injury, Richardson - Trade, Jackson - Suspension) will not be in uniform tonight. Gst lost to Utah for a reason last year. Utah simply has more talent, and a better defense.
Prediction : Utah 109-103.....This ones worth a 5 star play
Jb
Gs 3*
Brandon Lang
TUESDAY
2 DIME
San Antonio Spurs
Utah Jazz
free pick - Los Angeles Lakers
Note:
Money management and discipline. Keys to longterm winning.
As mentioned before, my plays in the NBA will obviously get higher rated as the season progresses, but if you think I'm coming out of the box with HUGE plays on opening night especially you're sorely mistaken because I need to be able to feel out teams.
You don't handicap the NBA based on what happens in the preseason.
And I'm not going to risk the profit I've accumulated the past 8 months in all the other sports on NBA games in the opening week just to satisfy someone's craving for BIG action when there remains plenty of football action five days a week.
In fact, I wont' come with any NBA on nights their are football. Simple as that. I will study, handicap and get in a groove while focusing on football and when it times to step up and deliver big NBA winners, I will be ready.
However, I know you want action. Need action and tonight, I truly feel the Spurs and the Jazz are the right side of these two ballgames tonight.
Last night was a tough beat. As I said on the outside, right side wrong outcome. Going to happen and nothing you can do about goal line fumbles in the NFL. Bad luck. Poor execution.
Denver goes up 14-7 different outcome perhaps? Who knows but it would have been nice to see.
You add that with 2 of the best cover corners in the league getting beat for 80 and 82 yard TD passes respectively and you just have to shake your head and say somethings are just not meant to be.
Lets get our mojo back tonight and build towards the weekend, a weekend that I am confident will once again produce miracles.
SPURS
The Blazers are in trouble in this one tonight.
They have no Oden and one of the best rebounders and scorers Zack Randolph is gone.
Personally, I don't think the linemaker can set this line high enough.
This is basically the same team that won the NBA championship with everyone back and in my opinion the only way the Spurs don't cover this game is if they let up.
You know, the old we are up 20 in the 4th quarter, pull the starters and watch the 20 point lead become a 10 point win.
Problem is I just think the Blazers are just that bad. With excepiton of Roy and Jack, what more do they have to count on for consistent play.
Nate McMillian is in for a very long year until Mr.Oden returns.
San Antonio has won 10 in a row versus the Blazers including 8 in a row at home.
Spurs roll and roll large by 20.
JAZZ
I truly think the Warriors are going to miss Jason Richardson. I reallly do.
You add that with the fact their is no Stephen Jackson tonight as well because of his stupdity of firing a gun when they left an Indianapolis strip bar last October 6th.
And people wonder why I call this a thug league. Hilarious.
Now the Jazz get to handle the team they disposed of in the Western conference semi's last year in a quick 5 games..
This is the same Jazz team, less Derek Fisher, that got them to the Western Conference finals last year.
Boozer is the key. The Warriors have no matchup for him and with him in the paint, the Warriors spread attack doesn't work as effectively.
Also the matchup of Baron Davis versus Deron Williams also favors the Jazz, which was a huge key in them eliminating the Warriors last year.
In my opinion, the only thing the Jazz need to overcome is the distraction of this idiot Kirilenko, who despite 4 years and 86 million left on his contract wanted out because he felt he was hurting the team.
I think Boozer behind closed doors has handled this situation pretty easily, but that is just my opinion.
Great spot for the Jazz to handle the Warriors once again with a season opening win on the road.
Keith Martin Sports
Under in Port/SA game
Under in Hou/LAL game
Under in Utah/GS game
Utah +2.5
WUNDERDOG
Game: Portland at San Antonio (8:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: Game Total UNDER 189.5 -110
Portland's season took a hit when No. 1 pick, Greg Oden had season-ending knee surgery over the summer. The fact that they traded their most productive player, in Zack Randolph, and with Brandon Roy, their No. 2 scorer out as well with a heel problem, makes you wonder where the points will come from. San Antonio has long made it clear that they are committed to defending the court. The team led the NBA in points allowed last season, and they have a penchant for establishing that early in the season. The last five years, the Spurs’ early home games (first seven of the year), they have played 27 UNDERS to just eight OVERS. That is 77% of the time, so what this team is about is established right away. Portland really struggled last season against the top defenses. They averaged close to 10 points a game less than their overall average on the road against the NBA's top six defensive teams. They could manage just 83 ppg! Missing their two top scorers from last season won't help, and the Spurs like to get the message out early that are willing to defend. This game goes under.
THE KILLER MOOVE (W.A.Saxon)
Tonight Top play : Pittsburgh/Minnesota UNDER
The Killer Moove Top plays only :
5-0 in 2003 '04
8-0 in 2005 '06
17-7 in 2006 '07
0-1 in 2007 '08