Cyber Max

Sunday (12/18)


Best:
T’Wolves @ Mavericks: Garnett and Nowitzki are as always the showcases of this match-up. If either Dallas or Minnesota wants success in June, they’ll need help from the supporting cast. Josh Howard is back for Dallas, as is Troy Hudson for Minnesota. Szczerbiak is the T’Wolves #2 man, but Dallas has an enigma with Terry, Howard and Daniels all producing sporadically.


Runner-up:
Rockets @ Lakers: This was always the game where Yao Ming would breakout for a 30-pt performance. With Shaq gone and Chris Mihm in, is Yao going to come and play? McGrady and Kobe provide perhaps the only one-on-one match-up in the NBA where both players are assured to score 30+ points.


Blowout:
Spurs @ Hornets: Western teams are always going to give their best against the Spurs, but even then it doesn’t translate to a W. The Warriors were in a similar spot earlier this year and lost at home by 30. The Hornets have had to travel between Baton Rouge and Oklahoma City just for home games, so facing the Spurs isn’t much of a break. How long can the Hornets continue play hard before they crack like the Saints did?

Monday (12/19)


Best:
Pistons @ Grizzlies: Two of the best defensive teams in the NBA face off in Memphis. Stoudamire and Jones have added veteran leadership on defense, something that Jason Williams and Bonzi Wells didn’t have the patience for. Detroit wins all their close games, so Pau Gasol will have to step up (again) to give Memphis a win.


Runner-up:
Warriors @ Celtics: These are two teams that might miss out on the playoffs solely because of inexperience. Only Fisher, Davis and Calbert Cheney have been in the playoffs for Golden State. Boston isn’t much better and doesn’t have a player who has been to the Finals. Golden State has a slight advantage, since Delonte West will have issues covering Baron Davis.


Blowout:
Raptors @ Magic: Toronto’s willingness to play hard has begun to waver. Jalen Rose is now on the bench for a serious lack of production. Jose Calderon is injured, which means there’s a lot of standing around. With Grant Hill back, Orlando’s offense is more fluent and shouldn’t struggle to take advantage of the Raptors weak D.

Tuesday (12/20)


Best:
Sonics @ Suns: Last year, the Sonics were the only team to win in San Antonio, Phoenix, Dallas and Miami. This year the Supersonics can’t even maintain their home court. Phoenix is better version of Seattle; still the two teams play exactly the same way. Expect no defensive pressure in this one. Both teams are prolific scorers and lethargic defenders.


Runner-up:
Spurs @ Bucks: Both teams rely heavily on their supporting cast, particularly Milwaukee. The Bucks need Ford, Redd, Simmons, Magloire and Bogut to all produce. The 3-pter is going to be tough for Milwaukee; they lead the League in 3-pt shooting, but San Antonio is one of the best teams in terms of defending the outside shot. Simmons and Bogut will have to get points in the paint for a Bucks win.


Blowout:
Hawks @ Heat: Only if Shaq and Wade don’t try at all; that’s the only way this isn’t a 30-pt blowout by halftime. Zaza Pachulia and Al Harrington are far too undersized to make a dent in Shaq’s box score. Joe Johnson wants to be a superstar but will get a rude awakening when he faces Dwyane Wade. If Miami is anything close to Detroit, they’ll put this game away after the 1st quarter.

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Best:

Timberwolves @ Heat: Garnett and Shaq are arguably the top two big-men in the NBA and face each in this game. KG’s best teammate Wally Szczerbiak is having a great month of December. The gap between Wally and Garnett’s talent is far greater than Shaq and Wade’s. Both teams rely on players to be one-game wonders; who will step up in this one? The Timberwolves need Marco Jaric to outplay Jason Williams if they hope to have a chance. Predicted Score: Miami wins 104-102


Runner-up:

Clippers @ Blazers: The Clippers are in a tremendous freefall coming off several blowouts. The Blazers have been blessed with a weak West to this point, which places them not far out of playoff picture. Their biggest issue has been an inability to win close games (an extent of their inexperience). However they should find a win against a Clipper team playing in the second game of a back-to-back. Predicted Score: Portland wins 98-94


Blowout:

Jazz @ Lakers: The Utah Jazz are the luckiest team in the world, playing back-to-back games against the Lakers with no Kobe Bryant. Kobe got suspended for two games for knocking Mike Miller in the head. It might be a learning experience in the end for the Lakers who definitely need to play for themselves once in awhile. But for now, it’s and exploitable win for the Jazz. Predicted Score: Utah wins 93-78

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Best:

Sonics @ Pacers: Seattle can only win if they outscore their opponent in the 100’s. Indiana might not have the defensive stopping power they need without Ron Artest. Stephen Jackson might take a ton of shots to try to be on par with Ray Allen, but even that shouldn’t hold back the Pacers. O’Neal should have a great game against Vitaly Potapenko. Predicted Score: Indiana wins by a basket 96-94


Runner-up:

Celtics @ Nuggets: Boston doesn’t have a strong physical big-man on their roster. Neither does Denver with Camby and Martin both injured. This game could come down to who has a better game: Carmelo Anthony or Paul Pierce? Or it might be decided by which team gets another player to score 20 points. Predicted Score: Boston wins on the road in a shocker 109-104


Blowout:

Suns @ Knicks: Kurt Thomas can celebrate his return to New York with a blowout against the Knicks. More than half of the Knicks’ total attendance is in season tickets. So basically, people are going to these games on a nostalgic level alone. Even the diehard fans have trouble seeing this team lead the League in turnovers. If Marbury thinks he’s the best PG, he hasn’t seen Steve Nash. Predicted Score: Phoenix wins in a blowout 105-86. Take them ATS.

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