There’s a six-game package on the NBA card for Tuesday night. One month after the NBA season started, injuries start to play a big role in the team’s performance. Below is a look at tonight’s six matchups, including three games with key injury concerns.
PORTLAND at DETROIT (-10, 193½)
The Pistons had their 8-0 SU (6-2 ATS) streak snapped on Sunday when they lost 97-89 in Charlotte as a 4-point road favorite. Detroit struggled offensively, shooting just 40.7 percent from the field while allowing the Bobcats to shoot 49.3 percent overall.
Portland hits the road for the first of six straight road games after going just 0-4 SU (1-3 ATS) in their recent home stand. Since a mini two-game winning streak in early November, the Blazers have gone just 2-10 SU (3-9 ATS) in the past three weeks.
Detroit won both meetings outright last season, but the Pistons were 0-2 ATS as their victories came by margins of just three and four points in each game.
DALLAS in NEW JERSEY (no line)
There was no overnight line in this game as Vince Carter injured his wrist Saturday in the Net’s 112-107 win over Philadelphia. Carter is expected to play tonight and lead the team in points (27.7 ppg) and second in assists (3.4 ppg) and steals (1.1 ppg).
The Mavericks had their 12-0 SU (10-2 ATS) streak snapped last night when they lost 106-97 in Washington. Dirk Nowitzki led the club with 27 points, while Jason Terry struggled and scored just four points in 27 minutes of action. The Mavericks were completely outplayed and trailing by 22 points entering the fourth quarter.
GOLDEN STATE in HOUSTON (no line)
There was no overnight lineup in this game due to injuries to key players at both clubs. The Warriors are coming off a 129-89 loss in San Antonio last night and will likely be without forward Jason Richardson again tonight. Richardson injured his knee in Saturday’s 115-110 home loss against Milwaukee and is doubtful tonight.
Houston’s Tracy McGrady is probable after suffering a concussion in Saturday’s 81-63 home win against Cleveland. McGrady played less than eleven minutes and scored just seven points, but the Rockets still dominated the game and were led by Yao Ming’s 24 points.
SACRAMENTO in PHOENIX (no line)
There was no overnight lineup in this game due to uncertainty from Sacramento’s Ron Artest, who has missed the last two games with a back injury. Artest is second on the team in scoring (17.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg).
Sacramento lost 92-89 at home to Orlando last night and now the Kings must travel non-stop and play their fourth game in five days. Phoenix is well rested having only played once in the last six days and the Suns are 8-1 SU over the last nine games since their surprising 1-5 SU start.
ATLANTA at SEATTLE (-5½, 201½)
Atlanta got its current five-game road trip off to a winning start with a 107-96 win at Portland on Sunday as a 2½-point underdog. The Hawks never trailed in the game and led by as many as 17 points. Atlanta was led by Joe Johnson’s 33 points and the team’s 107 points were his highest tally in the last nine games and his third-highest total of the season.
Seattle is coming off a hard-fought 109-107 road loss at Utah on Saturday in which the Sonics nearly overcame a 12-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. The Sonics allowed Utah to shoot 51 percent from the field, and overall, Seattle is allowing 49 percent in all games this season.
The Sonics won a 113-112 overtime shootout earlier this season in Atlanta, in which Ray Allen scored 33 points and Rashard Lewis scored 23 points. The Hawks were led by 28 points from Joe Johnson and 24 points from Josh Smith. Josh Childress also had 17 points, but he won’t be available tonight because of a foot injury.
MIAMI at THE CLIPPERS (-6½, 189) (NBA-tv)
The Miami Heat are finally adjusting to life without Shaquille O’Neal as they have gone 3-1 SU (4-0 ATS) over their last four games. Shaq is still out for another month due to his recent knee surgery and Dwyane Wade has led the charge this season, averaging 27.7 points per game and scoring at least 33 points or more in three of his last five games.
The Clippers began the season 5-1 SU (4-2 ATS), but then followed that up with a 1-6 SU (0-7 ATS) slide. Los Angeles has started to turn things around and is 2-1 SU/ATS over its last three games, including an impressive 116-91 home win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
STEVE MERRIL is a professional sports handicapper and a documented member of The Professional Handicappers League. Get your Premium plays here.
