Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry summed up The Big Dog’s feelings about his squad, when he said “We’re not a good team”, following the 100-91 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The visitors rested four of their starters, after a 117-116 double-overtime win the previous night but still pulled away down the stretch. The Phoenix Suns found a way to do the same against a Charlotte Hornets team who shall never again be backed while on the road. The Suns, who had lost 11 of 12 before yesterday’s game, held the lead at every change and absorbed a third-quarter charge by the Hornets, running out 111-102 winners. After results like that, all you can do is dust yourself off and move forward. Only four games to choose from on this Friday but there are clearly three plays that stand out from the pack.
Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls
Few (if any) players in the NBA are currently in hotter form than Bulls guard and primary scorer, Jimmy Butler. “Jimmy G Buckets” is averaging a career-high 22.1 points per game and if his recent performances are any indication, that number is going to keep climbing. Over Chicago’s current five-game winning streak, Butler is averaging 26.0 points per game, including a five-point night against the Toronto Raptors. In the four games since, he has scored 125 points and shot 42 of 78 from the field. After scoring a franchise-record 40 points in the second half, in the return game against the Raptors, Butler received this assessment from teammate Derrick Rose.
“He’s ballin’ right now, so keep going to him until he doesn’t want the ball anymore.”
That’s sweet music to The Big Dog’s ears. With bookmakers happy to set his personal points line at his season average, what is there to do but take advantage of a man in arguably the best form of his career? The Boston Celtics may be a good defensive team… but keep in mind that Butler had 36 points on 50-percent from the field, the last time these two teams met.
Selection
Over 21.5 (Jimmy Butler Total Match Points) @ $1.87 (William Hill)
Utah Jazz @ Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets, who rank 4th in the league for scoring (103.9 ppg), host the Utah Jazz and the 5th-best defence in the NBA (97.6 ppg). Interestingly, both teams come in at 26th on the opposite end of the floor. As a result, both have been inconsistent and current sit below .500 for the season. The Rockets rallied from an eight-point deficit at the final change to win 93-91, in Utah, just three nights ago. James Harden (averaging 28.1 points per contest) still managed to amass 30 points in the low-scoring affair but shot just 9 of 25 from the field and 4 of 12 from beyond the arc. It was the second time in three games that Harden had scored 30 points, while shooting less than 50-percent from the field. He also went for a combined 17 of 18 from the free-throw line, in those two games. The scoring load should again be squarely on the shoulders of the most famous beard in basketball, with Houston likely to be missing Dwight Howard, Ty Lawson and Donatas Motiejunas. Although the Jazz may look at the Rockets as potentially vulnerable, they have their own issues. This is the closing leg of a back-to-back, after becoming home victim number 21 in San Antonio, 123-98. Utah also have health issues up-front, with Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert still sidelined, so you would still have to consider the Rockets as likely winners. With a possible 9-man rotation for the home side, The Big Dog is going all-in on James Harden to have another big scoring night, with the likely scenario being high minutes and a high volume of shots. He has shown that he can still score well on an off shooting night and if given space to operate against a potentially fatigued Utah side, his points line could look very small indeed.
Selection
Over 25.5 (James Harden Total Match Points) @ $1.87 (William Hill)
Los Angeles Lakers @ Sacramento Kings
The final match of the day is a divisional meeting between the Kings, who play at the highest pace in the league, and the Lakers, who rank last in defensive efficiency. Sacramento average 102.1 possessions a game, score 102.2 points per 100 possessions and give up 105.3 points per 100 possessions. That combination of numbers sees them ranked very high on the offensive end and equally low (in fact, lowest) on the defensive end, in terms of actual scoring. It comes as no surprise that the result as been some extremely high-scoring contests, involving the Kings. Each of their last five contests has finished with at least 215 total points. The Lakers have shown signs of life, by winning three of their last four but they have had severe issues all season, when it comes to stopping an opponent from scoring. They rank 27th in opposition points per game (105.8), 23rd in opposition field-goal percentage (45.9) and 30th in defensive efficiency (107.4). They have allowed 100 or more points in 25 of 28 losses and 28 of 36 games overall. Against a Kings team that piled 142 on the Phoenix Suns, in regulation, those are extremely worrying for any Lakers fan. Looking at the game total line, it’s possible that Los Angeles might only need to score 90 points to see overs get the prize. They have done this on 26 of 36 occasions but more importantly, none of Sacramento’s opponents have scored less than 91, in any game this season.
Selection
Over 212.5 (Total Game Score) @ $1.91 (William Hill)
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