I trust everyone had a very Merry Christmas! It was great to lead into the Christmas break with a 4-1 day. Hopefully with a big day of basketball today we can pick up where we left off the other day.
Game 1: Chicago @ Brooklyn – 4am AEDST
No Rose. No Lopez. Potentially no Williams. This game isn’t worth getting up for in my opinion. Was quite damning reading that Jason Kidd said Brooklyn were being too accepting of losing of late. I fear they need to get used to it with Lopez out indefinitely.
It’s hard to get a read into this match as it’s hard to know who is actually fit. If I had to,Chicago h2h and unders,but I think I’ll sit this one out.
NO PLAY
Game 2: Oklahoma City Thunder @ New York Knicks – 6:30am AEDST
Another game with a star in doubt. This time Carmelo Anthony, who by the looks of the replay suffered a pretty significant lateral ankle sprain based on the positioning and landing on his ankle last match. He left the game and didn’t return, as well as being seen limping out of the arena. Basketball shoes do provide great ankle support (and taping, which I assume he would have had), but he still tweaked it and won’t be 100%.
Happy to avoid sides and totals because we don’t know what the plan is with Melo, however there are some prop plays that stand out regardless of his status.
Play: Tyson Chandler over 8.5 points at $1.87 – if Melo doesn’t play then it’s a bonus. Returned and played 3 matches, scoring 8, 9 and 10 points. Averaged 12.5 in 2 meetings against OKC last season. Not a great matchup for K Perk, and I think Chandler should be scoring double figures here.
Play: Carmelo Anthony under 27.5 points at $1.87 at Sportsbet – I’m happy to take on Melo here if he plays. Potentially sitting long minutes if a blowout too also appeals. Let’s see how the ankle is.
Game 3 – Miami Heat @ Los Angeles Lakers – 9am AEDST on ESPN
I get the feeling the Lakers may be more competitive than some think. Farmar back to run the point, and a very fast paced offense means that the Lakers can push the ball and also crash the boards in a big way against a Heat team who struggles in the big men department (about the only department really!).
Play: LeBron James over 25.5 points. Fresh off 38 against Atlanta, I think LeBron will take control in LA on the big stage. The stage is set. The numbers he has put up this season have been phenomenal, but we just expect it from him night in night out these days. I don’t see a suitable matchup for LeBron here. Wes Johnson perhaps, however LeBron will be far too strong. This total looks a touch low for the circumstances.
Play: Wire to Wire ‘Any Other Result’ at $2.30 at Sportingbet. – as I said above, I don’t think Miami will get everything their way today.
Play: Jodie Meeks -2.5 points vs Mario Chalmers at $1.83 at Sportingbet
Game 4 – Houston Rockets @ San Antonio Spurs – Midday AEDST on ESPN
A replay of the cracking meeting between these two teams earlier in the season that went down to the last few shots. Houston got the win 112-106.
Play: Houston h2h at $3.97 at Pinnacle.
Game 5 – LA Clippers @ Golden State Warriors – 2:30pm AEDST on ESPN
I think everything is starting to come together for both of these teams, and this promises to be a sensational way to finish the day of basketball.
I am siding with Golden State here at home. Iggy back is huge for the Warriors, regardless of what the box score shows. His defense and leadership are incredibly important, as is the increased output from Andrew Bogut in the absence of Jermaine O’Neal.
Play: Blake Griffin over 21.5 points @ $1.87 at Sportsbet – pretty happy to oppose David Lee in this matchup. With his improved FT shooting of late, I give this a high probability of going over
Play: Klay Thompson over 18.5 points at $1.87 at Sportsbet
Play: Golden State h2h at $1.77 at Sportsbet/IASbet
