[mocash]

Spurs looked real nice tonight easily handling a weaker hornets team ...I really like their depth this year espically with the addition of RJ however their weak at the Center spot anyways i think they have a great shot of starting off 2-0..What you guys think

[pinnacle212]

I think it helps that they only had to play 3 quarters of a game. Manu looks good. Great point guard play. good additions and they seem to gel. Good coaching. I think the line is -3.5. Not a bad flight to Chicago.

Have you heard anything on that Rose kid that may help us cover

Took it at -3.5.

[williams22]

I love it. Get it quick, it will move. The only true bright spot for the Bulls is Derrick Rose. At this point he is looking probable for tomorrow night's game, but he will not be 100%. The Spurs are too good overall for the Bulls to handle and too well coached to get caught playing down to the Bulls.

[mocash]

According to ESPN hes going to start...but 3 weeks off with a bum ankle its hard for me to see him having the explosion right off the bat and thats a bigggggg part of his game

[ipickwinners]

quick question, didnt watch the rest of the spurs game after parker went down....did he go back in? any word on what was wrong?? looked like he got the wind knocked out of him but i have no idea.....update please?

[pinnacle212]

He was fine for the rest of the game. I looked around and he was bouncing around making layups. He should be ok

[pinnacle212]

Rose to start Thursday's season opener

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By Nick Friedell
ESPNChicago.com
Archive
DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Derrick Rose will be in the starting lineup when the Bulls' season begins Thursday night.

A day after acknowledging that Rose would be healthy enough to play, Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro left no doubt when asked if his star point guard would be in the lineup for the regular-season opener against the San Antonio Spurs.


Rose



After missing three weeks because of an ankle tendon injury, Rose is ready to go.

"I don't think anybody thought the injury would take as long [to heal] as it did, but it was kind of a different injury I guess you could say," Del Negro said after practice. "He feels better, and he's been practicing, so that's a good sign. He's still a little rusty. I thought he practiced pretty well [Tuesday], which was a good sign for us."

Rose is just happy to be back on the floor and feels as if his ankle is getting better every day.

"I'm feeling good," Rose said. "My ankle is warming up. I'm feeling a lot better out there. Now I'm just ready to play."

Exactly how much he will play is still in question. Rose admitted that he still feels about 80 percent and may not be back to feeling like himself until the end of the first month of play.

"I'm still not explosive like [I was]," Rose said. "It's coming along, but it will take a while."

Del Negro realizes Rose still isn't at full strength and will monitor the point guard "minute by minute," and will see "how the flow of the game goes," when it comes to doling out minutes.

Either way, both men are just happy that the reigning rookie of the year is back in the lineup.

"I can't wait," Rose said. "I've been waiting to play for a long time. Now I get the chance. I'm excited."

[mocash]

He walked off with what appeared to just be as you said the wind knocked out of him.....the game was already in hand so no need for him to return...he seems to be just fine also i this DeJuan Blair kid looks reall good

[Mac4Lyfe]

I think the Spurs 1st half may be the play. I think the Spurs will cover the game too but they have shown a tendency to slow down in 2nd halfs last year. They are much younger this year but, why take the chance?

[williams22]

Parker is fine. He came out for the game but he could have played if they needed him.

Rose's injury is the key reason why the Bulls don't stand a chance tomorrow. Rose is the key for the entire offense. Aside from him, the Bulls don't really have anyone who can create shots for himself. They used to have Ben Gordon for this, but he left. Derrick Rose normally plays 37 minutes/game, but he will probably see less than that due to his injury and his lack of conditioning. The bulls would always have Gordon in the game for the 11 minutes that Rose sat...who will do the scoring during this time now?

Furthermore, Rose's game is built entirely off of his amazing quickness, which an ankle injury will obviously limit. Not only does this hurt Rose, but it hurts the entire team, as the Bulls offense is having Rose penetrate to create open looks for his teammates. I expect Parker to be able to contain Rose better than usual tomorrow night. In both games last year Gordan led the team in scoring while Rose was held to 12 or less in each contest.

[williams22]

By the way, the line has already moved to -4 at some books. I suggest getting it soon if you are going with the Spurs.

[Wilforth]

Spurs is the play here. Not because they did beat the Hornets though. Beating the Hornets is nothing.

[pinnacle212]

Mac4Lyfe I have to disagree. They are playing a team on opening day. These opening day games come with a lot of energy. Just look at the Minnesota game vs Nets games. Players feed off of this early. Not saying your play is wrong just would take the -3.5. Dont want to let hyped early scoring stop me from covering.

They are a lot younger I agree. That is why the starters can rest. They are a little bit deeper. Instead of just having post up three points shooter. They have a few ballers who can get in the lane on the bench

[williams22]

Originally Posted by pinnacle212

Mac4Lyfe I have to disagree. They are playing a team on opening day. These opening day games come with a lot of energy. Just look at the Minnesota game vs Nets games. Players feed off of this early. Not saying your play is wrong just would take the -3.5. Dont want to let hyped early scoring stop me from covering.

They are a lot younger I agree. That is why the starters can rest. They are a little bit deeper. Instead of just having post up three points shooter. They have a few ballers who can get in the lane on the bench

I agree, I like this much better as a full game pick. The spread isn't large enough to need to cut it in half.

[X-Rated]

I might play the Bulls +3.5. Like last years Hawks, his bulls team is pretty confident after taking the Celtics to game 7 in the playoffs. The addition of Brad Miller and John Salmon has really elevate this Bulls team. Even though Ben Gordon is gone, John Salmon is more reliable. Did you see what this kid can do? Last season he lead the weak King squad to beat the Hornets and Lakers. And during the playoff he was dominating Paul Pierce offensively, giving the Celtics a hard time. I believe if the Spurs win, it should be by only 1 bucket.

[broncosfan]

i think the bulls have a talented team and can put up a fight against the spurs but the spurs are much better coached and experienced so once the fourth quarter starts, the spurs will make a run to win the game.

[PAPSMEAR]

Line went out to 4 firmed into 3.5 now into 3 at a lot of books - WHY???

[stanley7021]

why is the line down to -3 for Spurs, any thoughts?

[williams22]

Anyone know why this is happening? All I can think of is that it has become more definite that Rose will play, but that was pretty much known yesterday. This spread is surprisingly small.

[lakerboy]

The bulls are dangerous at home. I think the bulls are a good play. Similar spot to Raptors last night.

[Intuitive_Edge]

Spurs line dropped with a little hard money being thrown on Bulls it seems.

[mocash]

Anything new on Parker otherwise i'll take my chances with the Spurs....I really don't see Rose playing more then 20 25 mins and hes a huge part of their offense might take a look at under as well

[JGILL50]

Big money is pouring in on Bulls now

[Rixsaw]

Originally Posted by JGILL50

Big money is pouring in on Bulls now

How do you know that? I'm interested to know where I find this stat.

[mocash]

You can tell by the drop in the line went from 4.5 to 2.5 in a few hours...still dont see why i shuden't play spurs but this line drop does have me a tad concerned

[stanley7021]

Could this little comment be the cause of the line drop?

10/29/09
11:58 AMLineup Alert NBA SA SPURS :
TONY PARKER (Hip) : Listed as Probable after falling hard in the 3rd quarter and not returning. He is expected to play tonight

[SmackdownV]

After watching the Spurs last night.....why is nobody talking about the OVER 193???

You know the Bulls will score at home and the Spurs have UPGRADED BIG TIME.

This seems to be a better scoring Spurs team than in years past.

Any thoughts on that play?

[mocash]

Originally Posted by SmackdownV

After watching the Spurs last night.....why is nobody talking about the OVER 193???

You know the Bulls will score at home and the Spurs have UPGRADED BIG TIME.

This seems to be a better scoring Spurs team than in years past.

Any thoughts on that play?

Normally i would like this play a lot but id be concerned with the bulls offense if Rose cant perform 100% remember without Ben Gordon now Rose is really the guy they need to create off the dribble to run this offense

[SmackdownV]

Thanks mocash.

Spurs -2.5 at my book now.

Took it for 1 unit.

Playing the Nuggets tonight for 4 units +8.

I can't get over how the Nuggets went to the WC Finals last year and STILL got the BEST player to come out of College!

Lawson is the NEW TRUTH!

[eastvan09]

I already played SA -3.5 yesterday. Now all this line movement has me worried... I am defeinetely leaving the Spurs off any parlays I play tonight.

[Nolimit1163]

I'm like the spurs here tonight along with denver perhaps winning or atleast covering. Good Luck.Cheers

[Danskeren]

Originally Posted by SmackdownV

After watching the Spurs last night.....why is nobody talking about the OVER 193???

You know the Bulls will score at home and the Spurs have UPGRADED BIG TIME.

This seems to be a better scoring Spurs team than in years past.

Any thoughts on that play?

On the other side of that on.

[ipickwinners]

no idea why people are on bulls, only thing i can think is that they are at home. im puzzled though, bulls suck....they have no1....rose isnt even all that good and it will show tonight especially with a lingering injury. spurs is where the smart money is...spurs have much better players and coaching

[williams22]

Originally Posted by ipickwinners

no idea why people are on bulls, only thing i can think is that they are at home. im puzzled though, bulls suck....they have no1....rose isnt even all that good and it will show tonight especially with a lingering injury. spurs is where the smart money is...spurs have much better players and coaching

Exactly what I have been saying! Let's cash on the Spurs.

[twincities77]

Originally Posted by SmackdownV

After watching the Spurs last night.....why is nobody talking about the OVER 193???

You know the Bulls will score at home and the Spurs have UPGRADED BIG TIME.

This seems to be a better scoring Spurs team than in years past.

Any thoughts on that play?

I'm on the under 193 (-102). The Bulls look like they are going to be a better defensive team this year (and worse offensively); as said in other posts they don't have a ton of creators. The Rose injury adds another question mark. I also expect them to play tough defensively for their home opener. On the other side, San Antonio is solid on both sides of the ball, but I'm still expecting them to play the solid, methodical, and slow as molasses offense (maybe this will be different with them this year, will be worth watching). I also expect a small offensive lag due to the back to back + overnight travel. I expect this to be a close, hard fought defensive Spurs win.

Now of course since I spent all that time explaining it, it will probably be 130-129.