Saturday's NBA Plays
1-Unit Play. Take Houston/New Jersey 'Under' 195.5 (7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 26)
Despite some games where the Rockets have racked up triple figures on the road, they also have efforts where they only hit in the high 80s or low 90s. That's what we expect from Houston tonight in New Jersey. I think this match-up has both teams under 100 points and that will most likey have the score 'under' the posted total. Even more so I say one doesn't get to 90.
1-Unit Play. #708 Take Chicago (-2.5) over New Orleans (8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 26)
The Hornets are 1-5 in their last six road games and Chicago has shown to be a much better team at the United Center this season. Prior to their epic collapse to the Kings earlier this week, the Bulls had won and covered their last two games at home. For New Orleans they just aren't getting enough consistent help from players not named Chris Paul. And while they are purely capable of doing that, it's just not the case so far. We'll go with the home side here.
1-Unit Play. #713 Take San Antonio (-2.5) over Milwaukee (8:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 26)
The Spurs have had just one road game against the Eastern Conference this season, so their road inconsistencies don't necessarily suggest further struggle here. And also, the Bucks have dropped their last three home games, so we'll take a flyer with San Antonio. Just a mini two game road trip for the Spurs and I think they can get both, here against Milwaukee and at New York. Victory and cover for the road team.
4-Unit Game of the Week Play. Take Phoenix/Golden State 'Under' 233.5 (10:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 26)
This is now the third time that the Suns have had this type of quirk in the schedule. And by quirk I mean they have a home game followed by just one road game on consecutive days only to come back home right after. The first time was in mid November when they hosted the Hornets and had to fly to Los Angeles that night to play the Lakers the next day and then come back to Phoenix. The second time was earlier in December when they hosted the Magic and flew out that same night to Denver and again fly back. I know someone high in the Suns organization who admits these games are not ideal for the club. Having a home game only to jump on a plane late after those games for a single road game and then come back home. Phoenix lost both this games and struggled offensively in each. So not only are they caught in a back-to-back scenario, but the traveling situation is not desirable. The Suns are coming off a big offensive night against the Clippers and I think they get caught in Golden State tonight. This number is too high, considering both Phoenix's struggles on the road and also the Warriors' not being not as offensively staggering this month. Take the 'under' in this one. Suns win 110-105.