NBA 1/22

YTD (posted) 16-9

1. Washington +6 @ Indiana

Indiana's record in second of back-to-backs something like 4-8. They are coming off big OT win last night in MIA. Meanwhile Washington was hardly tested in blitzing TOR and their record in road back-to-backs is not a cause for concern. I think 6 is too many under these circumstances. IND may win but WAS should give them a game.

2. Utah - 1 1/2 (Memphis)

Memphis lost last night in Denver, while Utah is well-rested. They get Kirilenko back tonight, although he's supposed to play only 5 minutes a half. But I wouldn't be surprised to see him play more in the 2nd half if he feels OK. Like Utah to win by between 4 and 8.

[MicroBob]

Memphis is in a state of emotional turmoil right now.

Their play-by-play announcer Don Poier died of a heart-attack in his hotel room yesterday morning in Denver (only 53 years old).
He had broadcast virtually every Grizzlies game (dating back to their days in Vancouver) and was always there at every practice and shoot-around, etc.


He was pretty good friends with a lot of the players and was very much considered 'the heart' of the Grizzlies since he had been with them from the very beginning.


So....everyone was really shocked and I think it HAD to be a factor in their 10-point loss at Denver last night.



Anyway, I'm not sure how this will effect the Grizz for tonight's game....but I thought it was a factor in yesterday's performance that might be worth bringing up.


I don't think they were prepared to do anything of the 'win this one for Don' type of thing for yesterday's game at Denver because many of the players didn't find out until they boarded the bus right before heading from the hotel to the arena shortly before game-time.

Very emotional stuff those guys are going through right now and I wouldn't be at all surprised if they are able to more precisely channel that emotional energy for tonight's game after having a night to sleep off the initial shock, etc.

[plus_man]

16-9 is a good record. Be ready for a ton of bad luck starting today though. I'm betting on your picks as of now and i curse everything I touch. Just watch.

[MicroBob]

1-8 last two days so here goes nothing.

I once again am finding value in WAY too many games so that obviously means I'll have another piss-poor day.


MEM +2
CHI +7.5
WAS +5.5
MIN -3.5
CLE -3

[plus_man]

dont worry about anything. Ill just take the opposite of what you do microbob and you'll do fine.

[CCx]

i actually like the memphis pick tonight - utah just traded promising point guard arroyo, and memphis just got dealt with by denver - i like them in this spot tonight

Arroyo was not playing for them, so I don't consider his loss of any value for them other than maybe a player short on the bench until the fruits of the trade show up. I'm too far removed from the MEM thing, but I was aware of the announcer's death last night and just didn't think that today's player would be all that affected by it on the floor. If Bob is right, MEM must be totally drained emotionally and I would question whether they could be effective in the 2nd of a back to back ... but I don't really put too much weight on the death of the announcer thing. More on Kirilenko's return, albeit probably abbreviated.

[ QUOTE ]
16-9 is a good record. Be ready for a ton of bad luck starting today though. I'm betting on your picks as of now and i curse everything I touch. Just watch.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the heads up. If things go south as of today, not a problem. I'll just find you and kill you.

[ttleistdci]

This is a first...I'm betting ON the Celtics -3.5 @ Atlanta. The Celts are 5-15 on the road and the Hawks are 5-15 at home. I like the Celts to pull this one out.

Also took Memphis on the road and, for the hell of it, a teaser on Washington (+10.5) and Chicago (+12.5). I think both teams have a chance to cover the normal spread so shouldn't have a problem covering the teaser.

[CCx]

[ QUOTE ]
Arroyo was not playing for them

[/ QUOTE ]

Arroyo only hadnt played for them in the last 6 games, before that he was a serviceable point guard averaging 8 and 5 in 24 minutes a game - I think Utah gave up on him too early, and it was a good pickup for Detroit.