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HOUSTON MEMPHIS
This is an anticipated "public play", but I think that we have a great
value on the Rockets tonight. I must confess that yesterday I almost
made a pick on them to win and cover against the Bulls, but didn't like
the line of that game (it started with -9 and finished at -7). Since
the loss suffered at home against the Sixers, the Rockets had a team
meeting very similar to that one that they had last season before the
streak of 22 consecutive wins and the results apparently is showing
some improvement.
They beat easily the Warriors, who had beaten the Hornets on their
last game and almost upset the Spurs at home in the following game and
yesterday they beat a red hot team like the Bulls by 107-100. If you
think that this win was a tough one and the Rockets played poorly you
are completely wrong! The Rockets led by 99-85 with 2 minutes and
something to end and just some late treys from the Bulls turned this
game into a 7-point game.
Yao Ming had played little in the first half because of foul
trouble and had made just one shot in the third quarter, but the
Chicago Bulls had done nothing to solve him as he finished the game
with 28 points connecting 9 for 12 field goals. Can Memphis stop Yao
tonight? I doubt!
Even Tracy McGrady made an effort (this is something new lately) to
be more involved with the team and the result was evident: 7-14 FG for
6 assists and one turnover. Bottom line is that the Rockets are playing
much better basketball and that team meeting seems to have given a new
spirit to the team.
Tonight they will face the Grizzlies who finally snapped their
losing streak by beating on the road the dreadful Wizards. They are
improving fast with their new coach, this is evident! However I don't
think they can already be competitive against a top team. O.J. Mayo and
Rudy Gay had great games against the Wizards by shooting a combined
mark of 20-38 FG, but it was against a weak team. It will be tough for
them to repeat such numbers against top defenders like Battier or
Artest.
This is a back to back game for the Rockets, who are 9-5 in the
second game when playing two in as many nights and 4-0 when playing the
first at home and second on the road. I believe this is a strong spot
of a letdown from the Grizzlies. After a win from double digits points,
the Grizzlies are 1-5 ATS and 0-6 ATS while being home underdogs 3-6.5
points. I think that the Rockets will get a relative easy win on this
contest. Take the Rockets in here.
SINGLE DIME PLAY on Houston Rockets (-5,5)
CLICK HERE to get my NBA WEDNESDAY *4-PLAY* CARD!
Good Luck guys! 