WINNING POINTS - NBA

Friday, October 31

**PREFERRED
*Toronto over Golden State by 17
The Warriors lack of a floor leader and consistent low-post scorer is going to hurt
them. Golden State’s point-guard-by-committee isn’t going to get it done against
underrated Jose Calderon, nor is its run-and-gun style going to be effective on the
road. TORONTO 113-96.


*Philadelphia over New York by 11
The 76ers defeated the Knicks twice in two home games last year by an average of 20
and one-half points – and that was without Elton Brand. PHILADELPHIA 106-95.


*Miami over Sacramento by 3
The Heat already have suffered a key injury with forward James Jones out three
months with a ruptured tendon in his right wrist. MIAMI 98-95.


Orlando over *Memphis by 6
The Grizzlies held foes to less than 44% shooting while forcing an average of around
18 turnovers during preseason, but won’t have enough scoring to keep up with
Orlando if Rudy Gay remains out with a staph infection. ORLANDO 104-98.


*Boston over Chicago by 12
Boston opened 2008 having covered 15 of its past 20 home games. BOSTON 96-84.


*Los Angeles Clippers over Denver by 3
It’s a huge grudge match for Marcus Camby against his former Denver teammates. But
Camby is doubtful to play because of a heel injury that kept him out of preseason. The
Nuggets will be without suspended Carmelo Anthony. LA CLIPPERS 108-105.



**PREFERRED
*Portland over San Antonio by 9
This is a nice opportunity for the Trail Blazers catching the Spurs off a Thursday night
TNT matchup at Phoenix. The Spurs are 1-5 ATS the past six times on the second of
back-to-back games. Portland has excellent young talent and defensive centers Greg
Oden and Joel Przybilla to match up against Tim Duncan. PORTLAND 94-85.



Saturday, November 1
*Atlanta over Philadelphia by 8
Nice scheduling edge to the Hawks as Philly is playing for the third time in four
nights, while the Hawks last played on Wednesday. ATLANTA 101-93.


*Charlotte over Miami by 5
The Bobcats defeated the Heat in both home meetings last year by an average of 13
and one-half points. CHARLOTTE 105-100.


Boston over *Indiana by 4
Boston entered the season failing to cover in eight of its past 11 matchups versus
Central Division squads. BOSTON 99-95.


*Orlando over Sacramento by 15
The Kings were 24th in scoring defense last season and that was with stopper Ron
Artest. They’ve done nothing to improve and their offense won’t be able to keep up
with Orlando missing suspended center Brad Miller. ORLANDO 114-99.


**PREFERRED
*New Jersey over Golden State by 16
The Warriors are worth fading again on the road, playing in their third game in four
nights and second straight on the road following last night’s game at Toronto. The
Warriors have point guard issues and are the worst defensive club in the NBA. The
young Nets, off since Wednesday, will look to make an early statement at home especially
point guard Devin Harris. NEW JERSEY 115-99.



*Detroit over Washington by 10
The Pistons came into the year 14-6 ATS in their last 20 at home. DETROIT 93-83.


Dallas over *Minnesota by 6
Jason Kidd can take over this game for Dallas. The Mavericks have defeated the
Timberwolves eight straight times. DALLAS 98-92.


*New Orleans over Cleveland by 8
The Hornets make their home debut after opening on the West Coast. Cleveland’s
defense can’t contain Paul, West and Stojakovic. NEW ORLEANS 100-92.


Toronto over *Milwaukee by 1
Don’t be surprised if the Bucks begin slow as the team hasn’t adjusted yet to their new
point guard situation. TORONTO 94-93.


**PREFERRED
Memphis over *Chicago by 3
The Tony Barone era has passed. Memphis is at least trying to play better defense these
days. The Bulls are thin in the backcourt with Larry Hughes out with a dislocated
shoulder. Rookie point guard Derrick Rose is running the show. Kirk Hinrich looked
bad in preseason. MEMPHIS 94-91.



*Houston over Oklahoma City by 14
The Thunder may not be at full strength with four of their starters finishing pre-season
banged up. HOUSTON 99-85.


*Utah over Los Angeles Clippers by 7
The Clippers hosted the race-horse Nuggets last night, but we would be reluctant to
lay a boatload of points on Utah if star point guard Deron Williams (check status)
remains out with a sprained ankle. UTAH 101-94.



Los Angeles Lakers over *Denver by 6
This is the first time the Lakers have to leave Los Angeles. The Nuggets don’t have near
the defense to slow down Kobe Bryant. LA LAKERS 110-104.


*Phoenix over Portland by 7
The Suns catch the Trail Blazers off a home game last night vs. San Antonio. Greg
Oden will get a major test from Amare Stoudamire. PHOENIX 102-95.


Sunday, November 2
*New York over Milwaukee by 6
The Knicks probably aren’t ready to fully grasp new coach Mike D’Antoni’s run-andgun
style, but the Bucks played last night and entered the season failing to cover in
nine of their past 12 away contests. NEW YORK 106-100.



*Oklahoma City over Minnesota by 1
This could be a letdown spot for the Thunder having already played their first home
game and off a game against Houston last night. OKLAHOMA CITY 100-99.




Monday, November 3

**PREFERRED
*Philadelphia over Sacramento by 20
This is the Kings’ fourth away matchup in six days. Andre Miller is one of the best
point guards in the Eastern Conference. The Kings can’t match Miller or Samuel
Dalembert and Elton Brand up front while still missing suspended Brad Miller.
PHILADELPHIA 110-90.



Detroit over *Charlotte by 5
Larry Brown should have his Bobcats fired up versus his old team. The Pistons have
too much veteran savvy, though, for the Bobcats to pull the upset. DETROIT 95-90.
*Orlando over Chicago by 10


The Magic came into the season covering 70 percent of the time during their past 22
home games. ORLANDO 105-95.



*Memphis over Golden State by 2
Time for O.J. Mayo to shine. The Warriors are on the road for the third time in four
nights. MEMPHIS 109-108.


*Dallas over Cleveland by 2
The Cavaliers got past a mental hurdle by beating the Mavericks in Dallas last season
for the first time since 2000. DALLAS 93-91.


*Los Angeles Clippers over Utah by 1
This is a great spot for Baron Davis to take over if Deron Williams remains out, or is
less than 100 percent because of an ankle injury. LA CLIPPERS 101-100.


Tuesday, November 4

Phoenix over *New Jersey by 5
The Nets had no answer for Amare Stoudamire in dropping both games to the Suns
last season. Stoudamire made 23-of-31 shots from the floor while scoring 61 points
and pulling down 26 rebounds in Phoenix’s victories. PHOENIX 106-101.



Boston over *Houston over by 3
The Celtics have covered six of the past seven times they’ve been an underdog.
BOSTON 96-93.


*San Antonio over Dallas by 9
Playing at San Antonio is never fun especially when it’s your fourth game in six days
like it is for Dallas. SAN ANTONIO 96-87.


Wednesday, November 5

Detroit over *Toronto by 1
If Chris Bosh and Jermaine O’Neal are comfortable yet playing together, the Raptors
could cause problems for Detroit’s aging front-line. DETROIT 95-94.
Phoenix over *Indiana by 2


The Suns are 2-5-1 ATS the past eight times when playing the second of back-to-back
games. PHOENIX 110-108.
Philadelphia over *Miami by 5



Erik Spoelstra spent the entire preseason tinkering with a starting lineup. The Heat
have four different point guard candidates, none of whom is a match for Andre Miller.
PHILADELPHIA 103-98.


*New York over Charlotte by 4
The Knicks are another former team Charlotte head man Larry Brown would dearly
love to beat as he makes his reunion around the NBA again. Injuries in the front-court
could hamper the Knicks early. NEW YORK 97-95.


**PREFERRED
*Oklahoma City over Boston by 1
Certainly the Thunder are going to take this matchup far more seriously for their new
fan base than the defending champions, who are coming off a game last night versus
the Rockets. This will be Boston’s fourth game in six nights. Oklahoma City, by contrast,
has been idle for three day, s having last played a game on Sunday. OKLAHOMA
CITY 95-94.


*New Orleans over Atlanta by 12
Atlanta entered the season failing to cover in six of its past seven away matchups. NEW
ORLEANS 106-94.


*Cleveland over Chicago by 4
The Bulls have won and covered in their last three meetings versus the Cavaliers.
CLEVELAND 96-92.


San Antonio over *Minnesota by 4
The Spurs have defeated the T’wolves in 14 of their past 17 meetings, but had to play
last night. SAN ANTONIO 98-94.


**PREFERRED
*Milwaukee over Washington by 13
Look for an intense effort from the Bucks, idle since Wednesday and playing only their
second home game. Andrew Bogut keeps improving and should have little problem
against Washington’s below-average centers. The Wizards figure to be rusty as this is
their first action since Saturday. MILWAUKEE 105-92.


*Utah over Portland by 8
The Jazz entered the season covering 71 percent of the time during their past 57 home
games. UTAH 103-95.


*Sacramento over Memphis by 6
The Kings have defeated the Grizzlies 19 consecutive times at Arco Arena, although
the last one was by one point in overtime. SACRAMENTO 106-100.


*Golden State over Denver by 2
Idle since Saturday and with Carmelo Anthony back from suspension, the Nuggets
should be able to keep up with the racehorse Warriors. GOLDEN STATE 114-112.


*Los Angeles Lakers over Los Angeles Clippers by 10
The teams already met on opening night a week ago. The schedule hasn’t been kind
to the Clippers so far. They are off back-to-back games versus Utah and have Houston
and Dallas on deck. LA LAKERS 105-95.