2014 - 2015 NBA Record
130 – 89 @ 60% for +32.1 Units
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#1: Memphis Grizzlies -10
Even with Conley possibly not suiting up for this one, I expect Memphis to manhandle the Nuggz in this one. Memphis’ biggest advantage is on the interior where Gasol and Z-Bo are an absolute nightmare matchup for this Denver team. Nuggets have absolutely no one that can matchup with these guys and I expect a lot of easy buckets at the basket for Memphis. In the last 3 games Denver has allowed 49 PIP (Points In the Paint) on average, the highest mark in the league. Consequently, they are playing on a b2b tonight and their 4th game in 5 nights. Going up against a physical Memphis team in such a tough spot will be a major challenge, and I just don’t see Denver having enough talent to overcome it. Memphis is on ‘revenge’ here, having lost to Denver on 01/03. That game was in Denver and Memphis was on a b2b themselves - the Nuggz had no problem running them off the court in that one. Of course the big factor was that Zach Randolph did not suit up in the first meeting. He’ll be ready to go tonight, going for his 11th consecutive ‘double-double’. Coming off a big win @ New Orleans last night, and playing in a major ‘fatigue’ spot, I don’t like Denver’s chances here and expect them to get worn down as this game progresses.
#2: Chicago Bulls -5 (1st Half)
#3: Chicago Bulls -9
The big question here is will we see a ‘letdown’ from Chicago after a huge win @ the Warriors on Tuesday? I don’t think so. This team hasn’t been able to play with a full-lineup very often this year and tonight they’ll be at full strength…well, almost, as Dunleavy might sit. But regardless they’ll have their core of Butler, Rose, Noah, Gasol, Gibson, and Mirotic all available tonight. Butler missed Tuesday’s game with an illness so he’s ready to go. Rose is finally playing without any minutes restrictions. And of course Noah has proclaimed that he’s as healthy as he’s been all season after sitting out a couple of games. Now Chicago will take on the WORST team in the West. Yes, Lakers are even worse than Minnesota, who have an emerging stud in Wiggins as well as a number of veterans coming back from injuries. LA is in the “young player development” mode. They have a number of ‘young’ players but the talent level is greatly lacking. Guys like Ed Davis, Wesley Johnson, Jordan Hill, Robert Sacre, Wayne Ellington, Ryan Kelly, Jordan Clarkson, and Jeremy Lin are all below replacement-level talent and of course Carlos Boozer is virtually useless at this point of his career. Honestly, Lakers have less pure talent than even the 76ers at this point. A healthy Bulls team should be able to dominate this game. What makes this particular game interesting though is that this is Pau Gasol’s first game facing the Lakers in LA. He spent 6.5 years with the Lakers, winning 2 Championships in the process, and being single-handedly responsible for ‘keeping Kobe in LA’ (remember, Kobe threatened to leave unless Lakers made changes, which they did by trading for Gasol). Now he is back with his new team and I think Gasol will want to put on a show here. The Lakers will do a nice tribute to him before the game, he’ll have the home crowd on his side, and I believe Bulls players will play with a little more effort in this one for him. I expect Gasol and Chicago to come out strong in the 1st half and cruise to a pretty easy victory.
Good Luck