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NBA Predictions: Indiana Pacers at Dallas Mavericks

Jack Jones — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:58:40 +0000

The Indiana Pacers have been one of the pleasant surprises so far in the first third of the NBA regular season, as they are nipping at the heels of the Chicago Bulls in the Central Division. The defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks, on the other hand, are probably a bit disappointed they aren’t out of the gate quicker, though they are still among the top teams in the West. Friday night, the Pacers will look to make a statement they’re for real when they visit Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs. Here is a preview on the game and my possible NBA picks for the side and total.

Indiana Pacers (15-6) @ Dallas Mavericks (14-9), 8:30 p.m. ET

The Pacers have opened some eyes this year, as they already have posted road wins at the Lakers, Chicago and Orlando. Overall, the Pacers have won their last three games (scoring 106 or more in each), most recently a 109-99 road decision over Minnesota Wednesday night. Indiana has five players averaging double-figure scoring (led by Danny Granger’s 18.8 ppg) and does a lot of damage with its rebounding (ranking second in the league with 44.8 rpg) and defense (ranked seventh at 91.2 ppg). The recent surge offensively goes against the grain, as Indiana is just middle-of-the-pack in scoring (16 th at 94.5 ppg) – but it may mean the Pacers are hitting their stride, which may be a problem for Dallas.

The Mavericks have had their depth challenged lately. First, Nowitzki missed about a week due to conditioning issues, and more recently Jason Kidd has been out for about a week. Despite those challenges, Dallas had won six of seven games before a 95-86 home loss to Oklahoma City Wednesday night – its second loss at home in the last four dates (also lost to Minnesota). The Mavericks are still one of the best defensive teams, ranking sixth in defense (90.8 ppg), but ranks just 17 th in scoring (94.3 ppg). Jason Tery and Shawn Marion have been the only every-nigh players for Dallas so far, but thtye have provided solid support for Nowitzki’s 16.2 ppg, as the duo has combined to average 27.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 5.4 apg and 2.4 spg. Dallas’ trio will need to be ready – Oklahoma City’s tempo beat Dallas the other night, and it just might see more of the same from the Pacers Friday.

The NBA odds list the Mavs as 4.5-point favorites, while the total sits at 188.5. Indiana has some quality road wins already under its belt, and it’s predicated by tempo. If the Pacers can get the game into the upper-90s or 100-plus, it is difficult to beat. There I a map to success against Dallas as the Mavs’ transition defense has been challenged and found wanting at times. Up-tempo teams have had success against Dallas with dictating tempo. Dallas, however, doe seem to respond well following a loss. Tempo will be key – that alone may decide this game. With Dallas at home and coming off a tough loss against a division rival, it will probably be more focused on controlling pace Friday night, and that may be the difference in this game. If the pace is 94 points or less, Dallas should win; but if it creeps up toward the 97-, 98-point mark, Indiana gets the edge.

Final Score Prediction: Mavs 94, Pacers 89

Philadelphia hosts Miami in Eastern Conference Showdown

Glenn Andrew — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:23 +0000

All of the talk surrounding the NBA is in regards to whether or not the Chicago Bulls are Miami Heat are the best team in the Eastern conference. Both of these teams may have the upper hand in their divisions, but the Philadelphia 76ers feel as though they are right in the mix as far as being considered a favorite to represent the East in the Finals. NBA experts didn’t have the same point of view about the Sixers when the season started as they do now, but that’s all changing.

It’s not as though the Sixers are winning based on luck or lack of a solid schedule. Their statistics validate their 16-6 record, and make them a legitimate threat to win the Eastern conference this season. We all know that Philly has the scorers to keep pace each time they take the court, but the difference this season has been their attention to defense. The Sixers rank first in the NBA in points allowed with a ridiculous 85.9 point per game average. They may be ninth in scoring, but their 11+ point differential makes them the best in the league at outscoring opponents.

It all starts with guard play for the Sixers. After several years of not getting much production out of that position, Philly has a solid tandem that will keep themin the hunt for years to come. Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday combine for nearly 30 points and over 8 assists per contest. That combined with the 13 points and 5 assists that All-Star Andre Iguodala pours in on a nightly basis makes for a tremendous base to what is an extremely deep and well-rounded team. Philly is the only team in the league that has 6 players averaging in double-figures on a nightly basis, and will continue to succeed as long as they remain healthy.

This is a perfect opportunity for the Sixers to display their skills as they take on the mighty Miami Heat at home Friday night. Prior to the start of the year, many basketball experts anointed the Heat as the team to beat in the East, and a virtual shoe-in to make it to the NBA Finals. Chicago and Philly are both showing that they have something to say about that. Despite have what many call the “dream team”, Miami has flaws that make them vulnerable.

Having two of the most prolific scorers in the league on the same team often becomes counterproductive as there are not enough shots to go around. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade individually are phenomenal, but they often look confused when on the court together. This may be Wade’s team, bit LeBron is showing why he’s the king as he is putting up some ridiculous numbers thus far, and is leading the way in the MVP race. James fills up the stat sheet like no other in the NBA. He’s currently averaging nearly 30 points, over 8 rebounds and 7 assists per game, and is the main focus of opposing teams every time Miami hits the floor. Philly will need to do their best to contain James Friday if they are to keep this one close, but locking down the rest of the Heat’s starting 5 may be enough to get the job done.

NBA handicappers are listing the Heat as 2.5 point road favorites against the Sixers. This number is based on the public’s perception and not necessarily on how these teams match-up. Tune in Friday for what promises to be a highly contested battle between 2 of the top 3 teams in the Eastern conference.

NBA Eastern Conference Showdown: Miami vs. Chicago

Glenn Andrew — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:00:08 +0000

Philadelphia is making a name for themselves this season, but NBA experts and fans know that the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are the top two teams in the Eastern conference. They are certainly showing that this season as they are both leading their respective divisions, and look like they are destined to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. Before they do that, they will meet for the first time this season on Sunday as the Heat host the Bulls in what promises to be a fierce battle with plenty of highlights.

Obviously there are a number of solid players on Chicago’s squad, but none bigger than reigning MVP Derrick Rose. Rose is considered by many to be the best all-around player in the game, and will be doing all he can Sunday to show LeBron James and the rest of the talented Heat team that he is. Rose spent 5 games on the bench due to injury, but is back at full strength and will play a huge role in whether or not the Bulls can pull off the road win. His scoring is slightly down from last season as he is averaging 22 points per game compared to 25 last year, but his shot selection has been more meticulous and his shooting percentage has increased by nearly 2 percent.

Chicago’s starting line-up is as good as any in the league with players like Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Richard Hamilton contributing at a high level each and every game. Like most good teams, the Bulls rely on taking care of the ball and solid defense to stay a step ahead of their competition. They are ranked 1st in rebounding, 3rd in assists and 1st in points allowed per game, which has taken them out to a tremendous 17-4 start to the season. The same philosophy will be needed in order to get their 18th win against a Heat squad that is eager to prove that they are indeed the “dream team”.

LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh are combining for nearly 70% of Miami’s scoring, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem as the Heat are outscoring their opponents by an average of 7.7 points per game. D-Wade isn’t playing at the level that he’s used to playing at, but he has been sidelined for nearly half of the year with an ankle injury. Now that he’s back, we can expect this Miami team to make a big run towards winning the Southeast division title, and possible an NBA Championship.

NBA handicappers have listed Miami as 4.5 point favorites for Sunday’s showdown, but there’s a very good chance that this one will be decided within the last few minutes. Tune in as the Heat and Bulls battle for bragging rights in the NBA Eastern conference.

Thunder at Warriors Predictions

Jack Jones — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:14:41 +0000

The Oklahoma City Thunder has been rolling through the first quarter of this shortened season, jumping out to the best record in the NBA (by percentage points over Chicago). Golden State is trying to turn the corner and be an exciting and relevant team again in the Western Conference, touting some young talent. The Thunder will look to continue their early-season dominance when they pay a visit to the Bay Area Friday night to meet the Warriors. This will be the first of three meetings between these two teams this season. Here’s a quick look at my NBA picks on this matchup.

Oklahoma City Thunder (15-3) @ Golden State Warriors (6-11), 10:30 p.m. ET

The Thunder hasn’t done much wrong lately, winning their last three games and 10 of 11 after a two-game losing streak. OKC posted a 101-91 home win over New Orleans Wednesday night in its last action. The Thunder has the dynamic backcourt duo of Kevin Durant (25.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and Russell Westbrook (20.4 ppg, 5.6 apg), but the duo has become a trio with the emergence of sixth-man James Harden as the team’s No. 3 scorer (16.8 ppg). With three guards leading the team in scoring, the Thunder thrives in the open court, ranking fifth in scoring (99.3 ppg), but it also boasts an above-average defense, ranking 11 th in the league points allowed per game (93.3 ppg).

The Warriors should welcome a higher tempo, despite their struggles. Golden State is coming off a 101-93 home win over Portland Wednesday night, but it had dropped 10 of 13 prior to that. The Warriors are a competitive 4-3 when they score 99 points or more, but just 2-8 when held to 98 or fewer. The team does have home wins over Chicago and Miami on its resume, so the Thunder shouldn’t fall asleep against this young team. Longtime Warrior Monta Ellis is carrying the load for the team (21.9 ppg, 7.2 apg, 1.8 spg), with Stephen Curry (17.3 ppg, 5.4 apg, 2.0 spg) providing support and offseason-signee David Lee averaging a double-double (18.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg). If these three are on their games, the Warriors can be a very dangerous team. But, as their record indicates, these three have been off more than they have been on. Based on the quality wins they have already this year, expect the Warriros to step up and be ready for this challenge.

The latest NBA odds show the Thunder favored by 4 points, while the total has been posted at 198 points. On paper, this looks like a mismatch, and Oklahoma City is the favorite, but the “any given night” mantra comes into play here. Golden State does have “quality” wins on its home court this year, and Oklahoma City may have a matchup problem against Lee inside. The big “if” is the Warriors’ big three. They’ve been very inconsistent, while the Thunder’s trio has been steady and reliable no matter where it plays. This will be a closer game than it looks on paper, but the Thunder has just a little too much to lose here. This should be an entertaining game – probably one of the highest-scoring contests of the night.

Final Score Prediction: Thunder 108, Warriors 100

Oklahoma City faces test against Warriors Friday

Glenn Andrew — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:00:32 +0000

The Oklahoma City Thunder have won 10 of their last 11 games and now find themselves with the best record in the NBA. We all know that they can light up the scoreboard offensively with the combination of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, but it’s been their increased efforts on defense that have propelled them to a 15-3 start. Basketball experts had predicted another big season for the Thunder, but I’m almost certain that none of them had any idea that they would be so dominate. Friday’s match-up against the Golden St Warriors may seem like nothing but a formality, but as many teams have found out in the past, the Warriors have the ability to blow teams out at home.

Despite having the best record in the league Oklahoma City has just a 2 game lead in what many NBA experts consider the toughest division in the league. The new look Nuggets are capable of keeping pace all season long, and Utah and Portland can make things interesting if the get on a hot streak. The one glaring weakness on OKC is their inexperience. They are one of the youngest teams in the league, which may hurt them in terms of maintaining their focus for each and every game. The things that they don’t do well may bite them before the year is over. They rank 25th in assists which means that they rely heavily on shooting and breaking down opponents man to man. Pure talent can only get you so far, and going against some of the better defensive teams in the league will certainly test their character down the road.

Another glaring issue is that Westbrook and Durant account for the majority of their offense. James Harden is quickly becoming one of the best players in the league off of the bench, but the drop-off from these three players to the rest of the pack is huge. Serge Ibaka is 4th on the Thunder in scoring with a 7 point per game average. As long as the Thunder can remain healthy and focused they can go a long way in the playoffs, but that remains to be seen.

It’s obvious that the Warriors are destined to be bottom dwellers once again this season, and a 6-11 start virtually guarantees them no shot at making the playoffs once again. Unlike the Thunder, Golden St knows how to move the ball around in order to create open shots and give themselves the best opportunity to score. Their offense is led by one of the most under-rated and underappreciated players in the NBA. Ellis averages almost 22 points per game, and dictates ball movement as he also leads the team with over 7 assist per contest. The Warriors were without one of their best players for 8 games as Stephen Curry sat out with an ankle injury. Curry is one of the most pure shooters in the league, and gives this team a viable second option offensively. Portland found that out the hard way on Wednesday as they were beaten by 8 points.

NBA handicappers have the Thunder listed as 4.5 point road favorites for Friday’s match-up, but I have a feeling this one could be much closer than expected. Tune in as Golden St tries to get another feather in their cap and build some momentum with a win at home against Oklahoma City.

Pacers host Magic in Eastern Conference Battle

Glenn Andrew — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:00:23 +0000

The Orlando Magic are expected to be competitive and possibly make a splash in this years’ playoffs, but the distractions surrounding Dwight Howard and his possible trade have made it difficult for this team to stay focused on winning basketball games. They will need to be completely focused when they take on an Indiana Pacers team that is exceeding NBA experts predictions, and are just 3 games back of the Chicago Bulls for the Central division lead in the Eastern conference.

Indiana is using the old school approach of rebounding and solid defense to win games, but they have shown the ability to put up points when needed as well. Danny Granger is quickly becoming one of the best player that no one knows. He doesn’t receive nearly the attention he should, but has been putting up All-Star caliber numbers at the small forward position. Roy Hibbert is a perfect compliment to Granger inside as he uses his size and length to grab rebounds at a clip of nearly 10 per game. Darren Collison may not have the flash and stats that get your attention, but his leadership on the floor and command of this offense makes him a perfect fit for this Pacers squad. Indiana may not catch the Bulls for the top spot in their division, but they certainly have a good enough team to get a top 4 seed and home court advantage in the first round.

The Magic’s season has been surrounded with a dark cloud. The possibility of their best player and perennial All-Star Dwight Howard leaving has held this team back slightly, but they are still in a position to make the playoffs and make an impact. It doesn’t appear that Howard will be on the team through the entire season. However, this team will still need to play with the same intensity night in and night out.

An 11-5 record though 16 games isn’t what the Magic had in mind when the season began, but they find themselves in a tie for second place in the tough Southeast division with the Miami Heat. There is a huge gap between the top teams and the bottom dwellers in their division which could inevitably help 3 teams get to the playoffs out of this division. Howard leads the team in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocks, but Orlando has a solid group of role players that can keep this team competitive. Their front court is one of the most versatile in the league, and can beat teams both inside and out. Ryan Andreson and Hedo Turkoglu are combining for 32 points, over 10 boards and 5.6 assists per game, and have the shooting prowess to draw their opponents out of the paint to give Howard more room to operate.

Tune in Tuesday night as these two top tiered Eastern conference foes battle in what will be a competitive and hard fought battle.

Hawks at 76ers Predictions

Jack Jones — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:28:51 +0000

Two “good” reasons will explain why Atlanta and Philadelphia are two of the elite teams with 10 wins already in the first month of this abbreviated NBA season: Good offense and good defense.

Both teams have top-10 scoring offenses and defenses, so something will have to give when the Hawks visit the 76ers Friday night. The latest NBA odds list the 76ers as 5.5-point favorites, while the total has been set for 185.5 points.

Atlanta Hawks @ Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m. EST

The 76ers are 6-1 at home this season, winning by an average of 23 points, and more than 89 points just once in those games. Philly is one of the more balanced teams in the league, ranking second in points allowed and third in points scored. Elton Brand is still his solid self, but he has had a lot of help with Jrue Holliday’s emergence at the point and Spencer Hawes’ threat in the post as complementary players. Head coach Doug Collins has opened up the tempo this year and the team has responded, scoring 100 or more points eight times this year and scoring 95 or more in all but two games.

The visiting Hawks, meanwhile, are 8-1 this year when scoring 100 or more points, and the Sixers have given up 100 or more points just three times, losing all three (at Portland, at Utah, vs Denver). They will have a challenge keeping up their offense (ranking seventh in scoring), but may instead need to rely on their sixth-ranked scoring defense to slow down Philadelphia. Five Hawks score in double figures, led by the usual suspects of Joe Johnson and Josh Smith.

Based on their outcomes so far, it’s possible that Philadelphia should be consistent with their effort, while Atlanta seems to rise up against quality opposition. While there is a chance that Atlanta can rise up and win, Philadelphia should win at home, but in a tight, entertaining game.

Final Score Prediction: 76ers 96, Hawks 88

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Sixers host Hawks in Eastern Conference Battle

Glenn Andrew — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:00:51 +0000

The Philadelphia Sixers and Atlanta Hawks are both off to a tremendous start, and are far and away ahead of NBA experts predictions. Each of these squads are eager and ready to take their games to the next levels, and with a shortened season they are in position to do just that. Each of these squads are leading their respective divisions, and have a legitimate shot at making a deep run in the playoffs. This may be just another regular season game, but a win Friday night could be enough to propel one of them to a solid second half.

The 76ers are first in the Eastern conference in point differential per game as they are outscoring their opponent by an average of 13.6 points per game. As solid as their offense has been, it’s been their defense that has separated them from the pack. The Hawks inconsistencies will need to remedied when they go to Philly, and it will take an all-around team effort to pull out the tough road win.

Joe Johnson lead Atlanta is scoring with a 19 point per game average, and Jeff Teague leads the way in assists and steals. This team is ranked in the top 6 in points scored, assists and points allowed, but is lacking in the rebounding department due to their lack of size in the middle. The Hawks make up for it with length and athleticism at the forward position. However, Philly shares the same style of play as they too rely on the play of their forwards to keep them ahead of their opponents.

The Sixers are in the top 7 in all 4 of the major statistical categories. They are 3rd in points scored, and are 2nd in points allowed with an 87.4 ppg average. Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young are combining for almost 27 points and over 11 rebounds per contest, but it’s been the depth off the bench that has put this team ahead of the pack in the difficult Atlantic division. Philly has a 4 game lead over the Knicks, and are well on their way to not only making the playoffs, but potentially having home court advantage throughout.

Friday’s game may be between two of the top teams in the conference, but the Sixers are listed as solid 6 point favorites at home. NBA basketball handicappers are under the assumption that Philly has a good enough defense to hold the Hawks down. The Hawks are more than capable of keeping this one close if their perimeter shooters can knock down shots. Tune in Friday as the Sixers host the Hawks in what should be a highly competitive showdown.

Mavericks at Jazz Odds

Jack Jones — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:48:55 +0000

The defending champion Dallas Mavericks are out of the gate slowly – still seeking a new identity while carrying a target on their back. The Utah Jazz lost their longtime coach late last year and have undergone some major changes, but they are generating some surprise across the league with their quick start. Two teams that have been on warm runs lately will face off Thursday in Salt Lake City looking to remain among the early-season contenders in the Western Conference. The latest NBA odds show the Jazz favored by 2.5 points, while the total sits at 184.5 points.

Dallas Mavericks @ Utah Jazz, 10:30 p.m. EST

The Mavericks are in the middle of a four-game road trip but started the trip with a thud, losing 73-70 at the L.A. Lakers to snap a five-game win streak. Dallas is doing the job defensively, ranking third in scoring defense and has held the last six opponents to 86 points or fewer. The team does seem to struggle to score while on the road, where Dallas is 2-4 (but has won of the last three), scoring 82 or fewer points three times already in six road games.

The Jazz started the season 1-3, but has won eight of nine since, the lone loss being a three-point overtime defeat to the Lakers (the only home loss in eight dates). The team has picked up the offensive pace of late, scoring 106 or more points in four of the last five games after scoring 100 or more just twice in the first eight contests. The longtime tradition of home-court dominance is so far holding up for Utah as the team has an average scoring margin of nine points per game at home and is coming off a 29-point thumping of the Clippers Tuesday night.

This is an important early-season game for both teams to keep their relevancy in the Western Conference. A loss by Dallas would drop the Mavs closer to .500, while a win by Utah would put them in an elite class of teams with 10 wins within the first 15 games. Though Dallas has been hot lately, the Jazz’ success at home should prove too much for the Mavericks in a game that will be dictated by tempo. Devin Harris’ ability to dictate pace for Utah will be key, and his success and comfort on his own court should allow the Jazz to prevail and give the Mavericks more questions to answer about their identity this season.

Final Score Prediction: Jazz 97, Mavericks 90

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Spurs take on Blazers in Western Conference Showdown

Glenn Andrew — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:00:16 +0000

The San Antonio Spurs have managed to get to the top of the Southwest division of the Western conference despite not having Manu Ginobili in their line-up. The Spurs always find a way to work through injuries or line-up changes, and are doing it once again this season. They only have a 1 game lead over Dallas in their division, but the Mavs aren’t playing like the same team that won the title last year. With a tough week of games in front of them, San Antonio will need to be at their best to sustain their lead in the Southwest as they take on Miami, Orlando and an improved Houston squad as well as the Portland Trail Blazers Friday night. Portland has always had the talent, but has never been able to put it all together for any long period of time. This may be their year to do just that.

NBA experts are high on this Blazers squad as they have assembled a diverse cast of experienced and capable veterans with young and talented youngsters. LaMarcus Aldridge has been on of the most under-rated players in the league for the last 4 seasons, but he is starting to get some well-deserved attention this year. He’s leading the team in points with a 21.8 ppg average, and is second to Marcus Camby in rebounding with almost 8 per contest. His size and agility are what makes him so difficult to guard, and he will give Tim Duncan and the other Spurs big men all they can handle Friday night.

The one glaring issue for the Blazers is their last of depth. They have 6 players averaging over 10 pointws per game, but the bar drops dramatically after that. As long as they can stay healthy they have a legitimate chance at winning their division and making a big splash in the playoffs. However, they will still need to get better on the defensive end of the floor, and play more aggressively in the paint. They currently rank 17th in rebounds, and have allowed 95 points per game through 10 games. This may be a small sample size, but they are showing too many weaknesses to put too much faith in them.

San Antonio has increased their tempo offensively as they are averaging well over 100 points per game this year. The problem with that is that they need to as they are allowing almost 97 points per game as they have grown long in the tooth, and aren’t nearly as athletic as many young teams. Even though Tony Parker has stepped up his game in Ginobili’s absence, this team is still too slow to make the stops necessary against younger, faster teams. They do match-up well against Portland due to their experienced offensive scheme, and have a very good chance at winning this game and the Southwest division title.

Basketball handicappers have listed the Spurs as small 1.5 point favorites at home for Friday’s game, but that number clearly indicated their belief in the Blazers ability to dominate defensively. Both of these teams are still looked upon with skepticism, but the outcome of this game could give us all a better understanding of where they actually are in the Western conference hierarchy. Tune in Friday as the Spurs host the Blazers in what should be a competitive battle.