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THE GOLD SHEET
PRO BASKETBALL
BROOKLYN 99- Chicago 83—First meeting of season between these sides
who were involved in a rugged 7-game first-round East playoff matchup last
season when Bulls won Game Seven at Barclays Center. Nets have a much
different look this season and seem to have pulled out of their lurch once Paul
Pierce and Deron Williams returned to active duty, winning 4 of 5 SU prior to
shocking home loss to Wizards on Dec. 18. Bottom line is that we are reluctant
to back Bulls minus Derrick Rose, as offense was already lacking an extra
outside shooter or two before his latest knee injury. Chicago no covers last
seven thru Dec. 18. 12-CHI -5 83-82 (184), BRO -3' 93-89 (181), CHI -4' 96-85
(178), Chi +5 92-90 (188), BRO -4' 106-89 (182), Chi +5 90-82 (183), CHI -3' 79-
76 (181), CHI -2' 142-134 (3OT-177), BRO -6' 110-91 (180), Bro +1 95-92 (184),
Chi +7 99-93 (183)
Oklahoma City 105 - NEW YORK 96—Return of Tyson Chandler to the New
York fold just in time for this Christmas clash at least gives the Knicks some
presence in the paint to impede Kevin Durant’s raids to the bucket.
Interestingly, New York covered both meetings last season and won outright by
5 at Ford Center. Carmelo Anthony capable of rising to the occasion. But would
rather back Thunder and extended hot streak that had seen them win seven in
a row thru Dec. 18, score 110.1 ppg and shoot 50% from floor in the process. 12-
Okc -8 95-94 (205), Ny +7' 125-120 (195)
Miami 101 - LA LAKERS 89—This matchup has lost some of its luster now
that Kobe is sidelined once again (Lake Show not nearly as interesting to the
networks minus Bryant), although we suppose we might hear some of the
LeBron free-agent talk and watch him field questions about a possible move to
L.A. next season (very unlikely, but someone will ask, just watch).
Acknowledge that Lakers covered 7 of 8 before Kobe returned to lineup earlier
this month, but Heat usually buckle down when they need to in these sorts of
spots, and Miami has offered pretty good value as road chalk (7-3 in role to
date). 12-Mia +2 99-90 (207), MIA -9 107-97 (204)
Night Games
SAN ANTONIO 107 - Houston 97—How many Christmas games are there,
anyway? Spurs in revenge mode after losing by 6 vs. Houston at AT&T Center
back on Nov. 30. Fundamentals proved a bit tricky that night for Spurs, who
were clobbered by 54-33 count on the boards and saw their “Hack-a-Howard”
strategy backfire in the 4th Q when big Dwight made some free throws. But it
was also Chandler Parsons and James Harden (combined 56 points) as well as
unsung F Terrence Jones (16 boards) who bedeviled Spurs that night. Expect
Coach Pop to address the rebounding deficiencies in rematch, and if Howard
has to go the charity stripe, let’s see him shoot 63% again as he did in first
meetings. 13-Hou +6' 112-106 (205); 12-SAN -8' 114-92 (212), San -7 134-126
(OT-212), SAN -8 122-116 (213), HOU +1 96-95 (212)
GOLDEN ST. 117 - LA Clippers 112—Chance for Golden State to get some
revenge vs. Clippers for 126-115 loss at Staples Center in first week of season.
L.A. was looking for some payback that night after losing 4 of 5 vs. Warriors last
season, although the enduring trend in this series was another “over” in first
meeting after that way in all four clashes a year ago. Prefer that “totals” trend
slightly over Golden State revenge angle, which might be a bit tricky for Warriors
unless their bench matches points with L.A.’s capable reserves. 13-LA -6' 126-
115 (205); 12-Gs +8' 114-110 (198), GS +2 115-94 (200), LA -6' 115-89 (202),
GS +4 106-99 (198)
PRO BASKETBALL
BROOKLYN 99- Chicago 83—First meeting of season between these sides
who were involved in a rugged 7-game first-round East playoff matchup last
season when Bulls won Game Seven at Barclays Center. Nets have a much
different look this season and seem to have pulled out of their lurch once Paul
Pierce and Deron Williams returned to active duty, winning 4 of 5 SU prior to
shocking home loss to Wizards on Dec. 18. Bottom line is that we are reluctant
to back Bulls minus Derrick Rose, as offense was already lacking an extra
outside shooter or two before his latest knee injury. Chicago no covers last
seven thru Dec. 18. 12-CHI -5 83-82 (184), BRO -3' 93-89 (181), CHI -4' 96-85
(178), Chi +5 92-90 (188), BRO -4' 106-89 (182), Chi +5 90-82 (183), CHI -3' 79-
76 (181), CHI -2' 142-134 (3OT-177), BRO -6' 110-91 (180), Bro +1 95-92 (184),
Chi +7 99-93 (183)
Oklahoma City 105 - NEW YORK 96—Return of Tyson Chandler to the New
York fold just in time for this Christmas clash at least gives the Knicks some
presence in the paint to impede Kevin Durant’s raids to the bucket.
Interestingly, New York covered both meetings last season and won outright by
5 at Ford Center. Carmelo Anthony capable of rising to the occasion. But would
rather back Thunder and extended hot streak that had seen them win seven in
a row thru Dec. 18, score 110.1 ppg and shoot 50% from floor in the process. 12-
Okc -8 95-94 (205), Ny +7' 125-120 (195)
Miami 101 - LA LAKERS 89—This matchup has lost some of its luster now
that Kobe is sidelined once again (Lake Show not nearly as interesting to the
networks minus Bryant), although we suppose we might hear some of the
LeBron free-agent talk and watch him field questions about a possible move to
L.A. next season (very unlikely, but someone will ask, just watch).
Acknowledge that Lakers covered 7 of 8 before Kobe returned to lineup earlier
this month, but Heat usually buckle down when they need to in these sorts of
spots, and Miami has offered pretty good value as road chalk (7-3 in role to
date). 12-Mia +2 99-90 (207), MIA -9 107-97 (204)
Night Games
SAN ANTONIO 107 - Houston 97—How many Christmas games are there,
anyway? Spurs in revenge mode after losing by 6 vs. Houston at AT&T Center
back on Nov. 30. Fundamentals proved a bit tricky that night for Spurs, who
were clobbered by 54-33 count on the boards and saw their “Hack-a-Howard”
strategy backfire in the 4th Q when big Dwight made some free throws. But it
was also Chandler Parsons and James Harden (combined 56 points) as well as
unsung F Terrence Jones (16 boards) who bedeviled Spurs that night. Expect
Coach Pop to address the rebounding deficiencies in rematch, and if Howard
has to go the charity stripe, let’s see him shoot 63% again as he did in first
meetings. 13-Hou +6' 112-106 (205); 12-SAN -8' 114-92 (212), San -7 134-126
(OT-212), SAN -8 122-116 (213), HOU +1 96-95 (212)
GOLDEN ST. 117 - LA Clippers 112—Chance for Golden State to get some
revenge vs. Clippers for 126-115 loss at Staples Center in first week of season.
L.A. was looking for some payback that night after losing 4 of 5 vs. Warriors last
season, although the enduring trend in this series was another “over” in first
meeting after that way in all four clashes a year ago. Prefer that “totals” trend
slightly over Golden State revenge angle, which might be a bit tricky for Warriors
unless their bench matches points with L.A.’s capable reserves. 13-LA -6' 126-
115 (205); 12-Gs +8' 114-110 (198), GS +2 115-94 (200), LA -6' 115-89 (202),
GS +4 106-99 (198)
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