November 14 , 2006 HOME - SPORTS NEWS
NBA PLAYOFFS SPORT NEWS & MLB NEWS
nba picks, free nba picks, free nba playoff picks & nba playoff picks content
Free NBA Picks- (associated press). jazz without star.
A sprained ankle will keep Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko out of the team’s next three games starting with tonight’s home date with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Jazz were favored by one point Tuesday morning, down a half point from the opening number. The Jazz are just 9-31 straight up (11-29 ATS) in games Kirilenko has missed over the last two seasons.
But the Jazz are off to a hot 6-1 straight up and 5-2 ATS start, and feel they have the depth and scoring to cope with the loss of the dynamic Russian this time around.
”I`d like to think that`s going to be the case,” Kevin O`Connor, the Jazz`s senior vice president of basketball operations, told the Salt Lake Tribune. “With the addition of Derek Fisher, the health of Matt Harpring, the emergence of Paul Millsap, maybe we`re a little better situated this time.”
Head coach Jerry Sloan has not said who he’ll start in Kirilenko’s place. Rookie Ronnie Brewer, who has only played 37 minutes this season, is a possibility while the veteran Harpring is another option.
“I`ve got some young kids, and I`ve got to try to develop them,” said Sloan. “Maybe we`ll give one an opportunity to start and try to buy some minutes that way.”
The Jazz will also be without guard Gordan Giricek tonight after the guard re-aggravated an Achilles tendon injury last week. Giricek has played in only four games this season, averaging 9.3 points in 18 minutes.
NBA PLAYOFFS- (covers.com): bulls ready to shake up starting lineup.
Scott Skiles isn’t sure who he’ll start when his Chicago Bulls travel to take on the Dallas Mavericks tonight.
Not that it’s a bad thing with reserves Chris Duhon and Andres Nocioni warranting first team consideration after their strong play in the team’s 89-80 win over the Indiana Pacers as a 6 ½-point favorite.
“I`m still searching from a lineup standpoint,” Skiles told the Chicago Sun-Times. “It`s possible I change the lineup before the next game. I liked the way those guys finished the game. That`s one of the possibilities we`ve been looking at. I`ve got to take a look at the tape and see where everybody is.”
Another possible reason for the change could be the inconsistent play of Chicago’s starters, in particular the play of Ben Gordon. The former sixth man of the year has struggled with his game since the start of the season. The sharpshooter scored just three points versus Indiana, the fourth time in six games he has failed to reach double digits.
But it’s not just Gordon who has been inconsistent. Starting point guard Kirk Hinrich and small forward Luol Deng, perhaps Chicago’s most consistent players, will look like All-Stars one night only to fail to get involved in the offense the next night.
Meanwhile, starter P.J. Brown has struggled the most. The veteran was brought in during the offseason to give the team experience and rebounding but has averaged only five boards a game while playing just 20 minutes.
“This inconsistency is typical for any team that has a big changeover in the offseason,” says Covers Expert Scott Rickenbach. “Ben Wallace (whom they signed in the offseason) is high a impact guy who is going to see a lot of time and the other players need to learn how to play around him. I’m not surprised by their play at all.”
The handicapper also points to the youth on Chicago’s roster as a reason for the inconsistent play. Nocioni is the only player outside of Wallace, Brown and guard Adrian Griffin who is older than 25 meaning many of the Bulls players are still trying to find their place in the league.
Because of this, Rickenbach cautions betting the Bulls at least until bettors get a better read on how this team will play going forward.
“It is definitely something to worry about,” he says. “They’re just so up and down right now I wouldn’t feel confident betting them. It’s not even a game-to-game thing. Their inconsistency can change from quarter to quarter.”
NBA PLAYOFFS- (covers.com): wallace ailing for bulls.
Chicago Bulls center Ben Wallace will play tonight versus the Dallas Mavericks despite missing practice Monday to rest a bruised left knee he suffered sometime last week.
This will be Wallace’s second game since suffering the injury. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year played all 48 minutes in the team’s 89-80 win over the Indiana Pacers as 6 ½-point favorites Saturday, scoring eight points and grabbing 18 rebounds.
“I actually intended to bring P.J. Brown back for him at some point and give him a blow,” head coach Scott Skiles told the Daily Herald. “But I kept asking him (during timeouts) if he was all right. He’s said, ‘Yeah, everything’s good.’
Wallace has yet to miss a game this season, his first with the Bulls after arriving in the offseason as a free agent. He has started all six of the team’s games, averaging 5.7 points and 10.3 rebounds.
NBA PLAYOFFS- (associated press): west out two games for hornets.
New Orleans Hornets starting forward David West will miss at least two games with a strained right forearm.
Hornets spokesman Scott Hall said Monday that West will miss the team`s home game in Oklahoma City on Tuesday against the Charlotte Bobcats and Wednesday night`s game at Detroit.
Oddsmakers have the Hornets listed as 7-point favorites against the Bobcats with the total set at 193.
West injured the forearm during the Hornets` loss at Portland on Friday. He played Sunday despite the injury, missing his first five shots and going 3-of-12 from the field. The Hornets lost their third straight, 92-76 to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Hall said the team hopes West can return Saturday at Minnesota.
Hornets coach Byron Scott has not decided on West`s replacement. Linton Johnson, rookie Cedric Simmons and Brandon Bass are the likely candidates
NBA PLAYOFFS- (associated press): rockets forward out two weeks.
Houston Rockets forward Chuck Hayes is expected to miss up to two weeks after injuring his left knee in a collision with Shaquille O`Neal.
The 6-foot-6 Hayes started six of Houston`s first seven games and is second on the Rockets with 6.6 rebounds per game.
The Rockets said Hayes bruised and hyperextended his knee when he collided with O`Neal in the third quarter of Houston`s 94-72 win over Miami on Sunday night.
An MRI Monday revealed no further damage. The injury will be re-evaluated by Rockets team physician Dr. Tom Clanton later this week, the team said.
The Rockets play San Antonio on Tuesday.
NBA PLAYOFFS- (covers.com): odds to win nba championship.
San Antonio Spurs +391
Phoenix Suns +703
Miami Heat +731
Dallas Mavericks +833
Cleveland Cavaliers +1071
New Jersey Nets +1135
Chicago Bulls +1217
Houston Rockets +1752
Detroit Pistons +1794
Los Angeles Lakers +2165
Los Angeles Clippers +2325
Utah Jazz +2403
Orlando Magic +2722
Washington Wizards +3614
New Orleans Hornets +4967
Denver Nuggets +6139
Indiana Pacers +6790
Toronto Raptors +7012
Sacramento Kings +7293
Memphis Grizzlies +7500
Seattle Sonics +7500
Golden State Warriors +7500
Portland Blazers +8236
Minnesota T-Wolves +8650
Atlanta Hawks +8652
Philadelphia 76ers +8842
Milwaukee Bucks +9000
Boston Celtics +12500
New York Knicks +30000
Charlotte BobCats +50000
NBA- (covers.com): top 10 ats teams as of 11/14/2006.
1 SEA
2 GS
3 UTA
4 ATL
5 LAC
6 PHI
7 SAC
8 DEN
9 IND
10 POR
NBA PLAYOFFS- (associated press): pacers jackson pleads not guilty.
Indiana Pacers guard Stephen Jackson pleaded not guilty to a probation violation charge on Monday.
Michigan prosecutors said Jackson violated his probation after being accused of firing a gun outside a strip club in Indiana last month.
Jackson, who appeared Monday for arraignment in district court, could face up to three months in jail if found guilty of violating the terms of his probation. His next court appearance in Michigan is scheduled for Jan. 26.
Jackson was serving probation after pleading no contest to misdemeanor assault and battery charges in September 2005 for his role in a 2004 brawl between Pacers players and fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills. He is charged in Indiana with criminal recklessness -- a felony -- and misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct.
"Feeling good. Feeling good," Jackson said after his brief court appearance north of Detroit. "Just ready to get a workout in and get ready for our next game. That's my whole point: just getting back to basketball."
Police said Jackson fired a gun in the air at least five times during an Oct. 6 fight outside Club Rio. Jackson originally told police that he fired the gun in self-defense, but Marion County (Ind.) Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said Jackson retrieved his gun from his car and fired it before he was struck and injured by another car.
Defense attorney James Burdick said Jackson had fully completed the terms of his 12-month probation earlier this year and therefore was not on probation at the time of his arrest in Indianapolis.
"Stephen Jackson pleaded not guilty, because he is not guilty," Burdick said outside court. "He is doing great. He's a great guy who loves Indiana, loves the team, loves playing for the people of Indiana."
His trial is scheduled to start Jan. 8 in Indianapolis. The criminal recklessness charge carries a prison term of six months to three years
NBA- (espn.com): t'wolves release vin baker.
The Minnesota Timberwolves released forward Vin Baker on Monday.
The 14-year veteran, a former All-Star whose career was derailed by alcoholism and problems with depression, did not play in any of Minnesota's first six games. The 6-foot-11 forward made the team after signing a nonguaranteed contract in training camp.
Baker has averaged 15 points and 7.4 rebounds in 791 NBA games with the Clippers, Rockets, Knicks, Celtics, SuperSonics and Bucks. He said in camp last month he felt great, having trimmed down to 250 pounds after once weighing close to 300 pounds.
The move reduced the Timberwolves' roster to 14 players, with one spot open.
FREE NBA PICKS - (associated press): sonics coach unhappy about watsons comments.
Seattle SuperSonics coach Bob Hill said Saturday he has no plans to talk to Earl Watson about the point guard's frustration with his minutes.
Watson complained about his limited role Friday night after a victory in Charlotte, but Hill saw no need to spend time with the disgruntled reserve.
"I'm just not going to respond to it," Hill said. "The only thing I'll say is when Earl came to Seattle, management made it clear he was a backup point guard. And last year he was very, very good at it."
The SuperSonics won at 99-85 at Charlotte on Friday, but Hill, who blasted his team during a fiery halftime talk in the locker room, gave no minutes to Watson and two other reserves, Danny Fortson and Damien Wilkins, once the third quarter started.
Watson had three turnovers, the effects of what Hill described as poor decisions, but the coach wants him taking better shots, too. In 24 games (all as a reserve) with Seattle last season, Watson shot 43.2 percent from the field, but he shot just 34.9 through his first six games this year.
"You know, minutes have to be earned," Hill said. "We have some young guys who think playing hard is enough. It's not enough. You have to make them constantly accountable or they'll just float along."
Talking to Seattle reporters Friday night, Watson suggested that Mike Wilks might be a better fit as Ridnour's backup.
"My role has been inconsistent, anyway," Watson told the Seattle Times. "It's been 16 minutes, 19 minutes, 30. I don't know what my role is. That's up to him to find out. But that 15 to 20 minutes might be better for Mike. It will give a chance for him to play."
Hill called Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis into his office before the Sonics played the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday to discuss the matter.
Hill, now in his first full season after the firing of Bob Weiss last January, talked with Allen, a six-time All-Star and the franchise cornerstone, for 20 minutes. Lewis, now in his ninth season with the Sonics, joined them for the last 15 minutes.
"There's always a little fallout, but usually you sleep on it and you're OK," Hill said. "I just talked to Ray and Rashard, and they seem to think everything's OK."
In the first half Saturday, Watson played 10 minutes with three points, one rebound and one foul. Luke Ridnour starts at point guard.
|
