All times are CENTRAL<BR><table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=5><tr style='color:#ffffff;background-color:#000099;font-size: 14px;font-family: Arial;text-shadow: 0 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,1);'><td colspan=2 align=center><b>Visitor</b></td><td colspan=2 align=center style='border-left:1px solid #9999FF;'><b>Home</b></td><td align=center><b><nobr> Time </nobr></b></td></tr><tr style='color:#000000;background-color:#eeeeee;font-size: 12px;font-family: Arial;'><td valign=middle></td><td valign=middle>(5-10) BOSTON<br><b>CELTICS</b></td><td valign=middle style='border-left:1px solid #cccccc;'></td><td valign=middle>(7-7) CHARLOTTE<br><b>BOBCATS</b></td><td valign=middle align=center>6:00 pm</td></tr><tr style='color:#000000;background-color:#ffffff;font-size: 12px;font-family: Arial;'><td valign=middle></td><td valign=middle>(8-7) MINNESOTA<br><b>TIMBERWOLVES</b></td><td valign=middle style='border-left:1px solid #cccccc;'></td><td valign=middle>(12-1) INDIANA<br><b>PACERS</b></td><td valign=middle align=center>6:00 pm</td></tr><tr style='color:#000000;background-color:#eeeeee;font-size: 12px;font-family: Arial;'><td valign=middle></td><td valign=middle>(2-10) MILWAUKEE<br><b>BUCKS</b></td><td valign=middle style='border-left:1px solid #cccccc;'></td><td valign=middle>(5-8) DETROIT<br><b>PISTONS</b></td><td valign=middle align=center>6:30 pm</td></tr><tr style='color:#000000;background-color:#ffffff;font-size: 12px;font-family: Arial;'><td valign=middle></td><td valign=middle>(7-6) PHOENIX<br><b>SUNS</b></td><td valign=middle style='border-left:1px solid #cccccc;'></td><td valign=middle>(10-3) MIAMI<br><b>HEAT</b></td><td valign=middle align=center>6:30 pm</td></tr><tr style='color:#000000;background-color:#eeeeee;font-size: 12px;font-family: Arial;'><td valign=middle></td><td valign=middle>(9-5) HOUSTON<br><b>ROCKETS</b></td><td valign=middle style='border-left:1px solid #cccccc;'></td><td valign=middle>(7-6) MEMPHIS<br><b>GRIZZLIES</b></td><td valign=middle align=center>7:00 pm</td></tr><tr style='color:#000000;background-color:#ffffff;font-size: 12px;font-family: Arial;'><td valign=middle></td><td valign=middle>(6-6) NEW ORLEANS<br><b>PELICANS</b></td><td valign=middle style='border-left:1px solid #cccccc;'></td><td valign=middle>(12-1) SAN ANTONIO<br><b>SPURS</b></td><td valign=middle align=center>7:30 pm</td></tr><tr style='color:#000000;background-color:#eeeeee;font-size: 12px;font-family: Arial;'><td valign=middle></td><td valign=middle>(6-6) DENVER<br><b>NUGGETS</b></td><td valign=middle style='border-left:1px solid #cccccc;'></td><td valign=middle>(9-5) DALLAS<br><b>MAVERICKS</b></td><td valign=middle align=center>7:30 pm</td></tr><tr style='color:#000000;background-color:#ffffff;font-size: 12px;font-family: Arial;'><td valign=middle></td><td valign=middle>(6-6) CHICAGO<br><b>BULLS</b></td><td valign=middle style='border-left:1px solid #cccccc;'></td><td valign=middle>(1-14) UTAH<br><b>JAZZ</b></td><td valign=middle align=center>8:00 pm</td></tr><tr style='color:#000000;background-color:#eeeeee;font-size: 12px;font-family: Arial;'><td valign=middle></td><td valign=middle>(3-9) NEW YORK<br><b>KNICKS</b></td><td valign=middle style='border-left:1px solid #cccccc;'></td><td valign=middle>(12-2) PORTLAND<br><b>TRAIL BLAZERS</b></td><td valign=middle align=center>9:00 pm</td></tr></table>
Hopefully the Wolves' offense is firing on all cylinders. Would like to see the offense VS defense potential battle. And it's bittersweet seeing that 1-14 next to the Jazz. Knowing they're more then likely going to get a game changer because of it.
Surprised the Rockets are the favorite @Memphis. I know Gasol is injured but Harden isn't playing either. Kind of says something about relative value, if the line is right.
I'm just trying to figure out if it's a trap or worth taking that bet. Seems really weird to favor the road team missing their "best" player against a team that has had their number @home.
Point being that iso-heavy "superstars" are never worth the value you'd expect from their production. This isn't a knock on Harden, specifically-- it applies to everyone of this ilk, eg Kobe, Melo, VC, AI, and many more throughout history (I could make an argument even for MJ but that would just be too controversial). As I said earlier in this thread, you'd think that taking Harden off the Lakers would make them heavy underdogs against a Memphis team that has had their number at home, even with Gasol out, but the oddsmakers didn't see it that way and they were right. It is just much easier to replace Harden's production en masse than it is someone like Gasol, who provides so much more.
Will you just please shut it off and leave your agenda out of a game thread? Goodness! Give it a rest. To imply the Rockets are just as good without Harden is fine but please go to the GARM, start a thread and post to your heart's content. We don't need people like you gumming up the NBA Dish.
Sheesh, stop getting your panties in a wad. The last time I was in the GARM, someone told me to stay out of there because they didn't like my take on the Rockets. Anyway, this is just a commentary on iso players in general. It doesn't surprise me in the least that the Rockets are very capable without Harden because his shots just go to their other talent, the same way the Lakers do fine without Kobe. Where iso-heavy players are successful is when they have a dearth of offense and the team builds around one guy. Those teams can usually make the playoffs but it's hard for them to contend