Posted:
#1
I gotta tell ya. I have been waiting for this game FOR FOUR MONTHS!
The game I was waiting for is now here. Better yet, it has all the conditions set for a ripe win and big time cash, and then some.
It is such a big game, and so special a bet, half my season's bankroll is going on it. I am not bullshi**ing you. Many people say betting is a marathon not a sprint. That is very true. But when a Lamborghini has the keys in it at the start line of a foot race, you jump in that baby hit the nitro boosters and drive straight to Vegas, with your name spelled out in a dust cloud.
The game I will cash, and the game I will share with the posters here, is yours for the taking. It is:
BLAZERS -3 over SUNS
There were several requirements I needed to unload on this game and not only were all met, but they were far exceeded.
Ok, what were my two requirements.
Because the West is stacked, I did NOT want to see a team like the Spurs, OKC, the Rockets, Memphis or even the Lakers in game one. Those are very losable games, even with a nice spread. Who did the NBA GIFT WRAP to the Blazers in the first game?
THE SUNS!!!
Wow. Only the Sixers would have been better.
What was the second requirement? If the team the Blazers were facing was awful (they are), the game had to be on the road. It is. Beautiful. That makes for a very short spread to contend with.
I want to remind you of something. The Blazers are currently on a THIRTEEN GAME LOSING STREAK dating back to last season and you will be laying points here. They could not beat anyone down the stretch due to a decimated lineup. So decimated was the lineup, Sasha Pavlovic was getting significant minutes. JJ Hickson was a STAR on the team. Meyers Leonard was the starting center. Folks, it was BAD and there was no escape.
But THIS GAME provides all the redemption that's needed.
So what are some key reasons I am unloading half my season's bankroll on the Blazers:
1) The team is now (almost) fully healthy.
I say almost because Wesley Matthews is out the first game. That will not be an issue given what the Suns are putting out there against them. Better yet, Lamarcus Aldridge is back and healthy. Damian Lillard is back and healthy. BOTH have said last season was an embarrassment and there were major rumors Aldridge said he wanted off the team after the end of last season. He's still here and he expects a playoff birth this year. He's on the record as saying this team is a seventh seed. He is 27 and in his prime and will be a 20-10 guy or close to it. If they don't make the playoffs he may want to see the door.
Lillard has gone on the record about his defense and his team defense and has demanded improvement from himself and team-wide.
Both these team leaders will completely erase any memories of the roster that ended last season (go take a look who played in those 13 games last year; it's scary).
Nic Batum is also back and fully healthy.
This roster is stacked and ready to win now.
2) Blazers were consistently graded an A for having one of the best offseasons.
It's a small market team but they had a great offseason.
They needed a center: They got Robin Lopez (and didn't break the bank doing it).
They needed a backup PG: They went and got Mo Williams. Yeah, he never met a shot he didn't like but he will score (something the Blazers could not do at the end of the year) and he will have several assists).
They needed a guy to stretch the floor: They went and got Dorell Wright. I don't have to tell any of you how hot this guy can get from anywhere on the floor when he gets going. He adds a new dimension to a Blazer lineup that lacked spark and outside shooting.
They also got Thomas Robinson for basically nothing because Houston needed to dump salary to sign Dwight. Will he contribute? I don't know. But if he doesn't, his career is likely over and that should light a fire under his a**.
Their first round draft pick is injured but he would be a nonfactor in this game.
And isn't it a nice bonus that Lopez will be going up against the team that drafted him? I do. Yes, he'll be extra motivated opening night.
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