Stephen Nover
Washington at MIAMI -6'
The Wizards started off like a big surprise team opening 2-1 with one of the victories coming against the Mavericks in Dallas.
Since then, though, Washington has lost four in a row. The Wizards are losing bad, too. The Wizards are shooting less than 40 percent from the floor during these four losses. Their turnover count has equaled or surpassed their assist total in each of the last four games.
The Wizards are down two key scoring options with Antawn Jamison and Mike Miller both out with shoulder injuries. Gilbert Arenas is finding his way after missing all but two games last season following knee surgery. He made just seven of 22 shots from the floor and turned the ball over four times in the Wizards' last game, a 102-90 home loss to Phoenix on Sunday.
This marks the Wizards' third game in five days. Miami last played on Friday. The Heat have won and covered five of its first six games. The Heat handed Denver its first loss of the season last Friday, 96-88, in Miami. The Nuggets entered that matchup averaging a league-high 115 points.
The Heat have been playing outstanding defense ranking first in defensive field goal percentage, first in three-point defensive field goal percentage and sixth in scoring defense giving up 90.7 points per game. Washington is averaging 88.7 points in its last four games. That would rank fourth from the bottom if this is what the Wizards averaged all season.
Dwayne Wade is off to a great start ranking fifth in scoring at 28 points per game. He scored 40 when the Heat beat the Wizards, 93-89, at Washington last Wednesday.
Washington has failed to cover in 18 of its last 22 games when facing a team with a winning record. The Wizards also are 17-37-2 against the spread when playing with one day rest.
Until the Wizards show they can overcome the loss of Jamison and Miller while reducing their turnovers and bad shot selection, they are a fade especially against a Heat team that is playing at a very high level.
5♦ MIAMI HEAT
Chris Jordan
Portland -6' at MEMPHIS
Before you get to a pair of analysis on this game that are most certainly going to be off, let me give you the winning write up for this one.
As long as Memphis is going through Allen Iverson-drama, not to mention growing pains, just keep giving me value in going against it.
True, the Iverson soap opera has taken some of the spotlight off how bad the Grizzlies are playing, but it certainly does not mean they're playing any better.
And now the 1-6 Grizzlies have to host a Portland team that has won two in a row since shaking up the rotation and going with a three-guard lineup. The Blazers are suddenly seeing some offense, and that won't be any good for Memphis, which is allowing opponents to score 114.7 points per game.
The Grizzlies are back after a five-game road trip tipped off the month of November - they played the handful over seven days - and now host the Blazers with too many uncertainties with the lineup.
This is simply a mismatch made in heaven for the Blazers, who should win this game by double digits with ease.
3♦ PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Drew Gordon
Portland at MEMPHIS +6'
Solid Free Play winner on the Spurs over the Raptors 131-124 Monday! For today's complimentary play, we're looking at the Trail Blazers/Grizzlies match up.
Tough to ride a Grizzlies team that lost every single game SU on their most recent road trip, BUT, I do expect them to bring their "A" game in their return home tonight against the Blazers. Why? Several reasons...
First, we did see the Grizzlies play their best game of their road trip in their last one, covering at the Clippers in their 113-110 loss. Yes, it was the Clips, but regardless, the more this young team plays together, the better they will get. Also, offesnively they did two things in that contest that impressed me: A. Shot 46% on the road. And B. domintated the paint, owning a 45-35 edge on the boards AND 52-50 points in the paint edge. Both of those stats will be critical in this contest.
Second, recall the last time these two teams played in Memphis - a 96-93 Portland win, but easy cover for the Griz as 7-point home dogs! The rosters are essentially the same, except now the Griz have a legitimate low-post threat in Randolph to challenge Aldridge. Memphis is by no means on the Blazers level, but fact is, they do match up well on their home court.
Finally, like in years past, are you really that impressed with the Blazers road play? They've lost outright at Houston, and hardly looked impressive at the Thunder in their last roadie, scoring just 83 points. Point is this Trail Blazers team is vulnerable on the road, especially against an opponent they will almost surely be taking lightly. The motivation edge goes to Memphis as they are desperate for a win, and returning home against a road-weary Blazers bunch Tuesday night. Memphis might not win SU, but they'll grab the cash in this one!
Take Memphis plus the points over Portland in this NBA match up.
3♦ MEMPHIS