Orlando Magic at Charlotte Bobcats (NA)
The Magic pulled a disappearing act Sunday night in Oklahoma City when the Thunder beat the defending Eastern Conference champs 102-74.
Orlando players said the right things to the press following the game about how it was “embarrassing” and they shouldn’t be quitting like that in a regular season game.
But reporters say Dwight Howard was singing in the shower after the disappointing loss.
“It doesn’t seem to bother anybody in the locker room,” coach Stan Van Gundy told the Orlando Sentinel.
There are no excuses to lose that badly, but Orlando is shorthanded these days. Matt Barnes didn’t play because of flu-like symptoms leaving the team with just nine healthy bodies on Sunday.
Vince Carter is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday, but the club is still missing Ryan Anderson (ankle), Rashard Lewis (suspension) and Mickael Pietrus (flu).
Orlando plays Cleveland on Wednesday, so the group could overlook the Bobcats a bit.
Pick: Under
Denver Nuggets at Chicago Bulls (+1.5, 204)
The Nuggets started out 5-0 with covers in four of those games. But George Karl’s boys are 0-2 in their last two games, losing by a combined 36 points along the way.
Denver welcomes sixth man extraordinaire J.R. Smith back tonight. The talented two-guard will make his first appearance this season after serving a seven-game suspension.
“He’s getting the repetitions he’s needed,” Karl told the Denver Post. “It’s not as easy as people think. J.R. is going to have some rust.”
Karl would probably prefer to add another big to his rotation, especially with power forward Kenyon Martin nursing a sore left leg.
Smith joins a crowded backcourt that includes Ty Lawson, Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Arron Afflalo and Joey Graham.
Chicago’s Luol Deng should matchup well against Carmelo Anthony. He has the strength and athleticism to keep up with Melo.
The Bulls have kept games close all season. Expect that to continue Tuesday against the Nuggets.
Pick: Bulls
