Posted:
#1
The San Antonio Spurs are facing a tough task on Monday night. After winning two back to back games in OT, where they expended a lot of energy, they face a Rockets team looking for revenge after losing two close ones to the Spurs. Here is what I like about the Rockets tonight:
1) Spurs are playing their 3rd game in 4 nights (the last two went into OT, as mentioned before). But if you look at the Spurs last three games, they have been on the brink of losing all three, only to pull it out in the end. They beat Indiana 100-99 then went to NO and fought a desperate team for 53 minutes and then came back home to face the hungry, young wolves in a battle that nearly did them in and, which in all honesty, they should have lost. The amount of physical and psychic energy needed to pull those games out is huge. In the last two games, Leonard and Aldridge have each played 84 minutes (that is about 10 minutes shy of playing two full games)!
2) In comparison, the Rockets have been coasting. Sure they traveled to LA, but that game was over by halftime. And their last game against the Grizz was over by the third quarter. All games are not created equal, and the Rockets have barely broken a sweat the last two games.
3) Now the Spurs, after playing three defensive, low scoring games 100-99, 101-98 OT, 97-90 OT, have to change gears and chase the high octane Rockets around for 48 minutes. That is a tough task under usual circumstances, much less now after two emotionally draining OT wins.
4) This is a big statement game for the Rockets, in this intrastate rivalry. Unless the standings change, these teams will meet in the second round of the playoffs, and any mental edge you can give yourself is important. After beating the Spurs in their first matchup (by 2), The Rockets have lost two close ones to the Spurs by a combined 8 points. But since that time, the Rockets have actually improved their roster by adding Lou Williams (a virtual starter on any other team). Williams gives the Rockets a much deeper bench and another sleek shooter that the big-bodied Spurs will have to scramble to cover.
5) Mike D’Antoni is one win away from reaching 500 wins as an NBA coach. In an interview, the coach said, "It would be nice to get it (Monday) because that would be a great game for us to win." I think his players will go all out to get him this win especially because it is against his nemesis (coach Pop and the Spurs). And why is this team his nemesis? Well, if I have to explain that to you, you are too young and I am too old
6) Although the Spurs would love to win another hard fought game, I very much doubt that Pop will run his guys into the ground, yet again, to get this win. They have beaten the Rockets twice this year and the Spurs have bigger fish to fry in the days ahead, namely playing and beating the Warriors twice. Yes, they will play hard, but if the Rockets get a big lead, don’t be surprised if the Spurs throw in the towel.
7) The Rockets lost the last two games against the Spurs by 8 and now we are getting 4 points (a couple of baskets). This line opened at 5 and was quickly bet down to 4. If the Public is on the Spurs, it may go back up again, but 4 is good enough for me because I expect the Rockets to win this one outright.
The Play: Rockets +4 (And this one is a BIG play.)
Two smaller plays. I promised myself no more posting of small plays but I can’t help it. I think the Celtics are running on fumes and the Clippers are getting in a groove again. Also, the Clippers are going back home where they were booed by their own crowd the last time out. The game is on TNT so they should be pumped to put on a show, since that is all they care about.
Play: Clippers -5 (small)
And now I am going to get real greedy and lay 12.5 points by taking the Nuggets who cost us against the Hornets by failing to capitalize on playing a tired team. Instead of jumping all over them they waited until they were down by 20 before they started playing. They will not make the same mistake twice when they play the tanking Kings (a team that has beaten them the last two times) who will be on a back-to-back after a tough overtime loss.
Play: Nuggets -12.5 (small)
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