- WEEK 9 PREDICTIONS -
WRITTEN BY: STEPHEN A. KELLERMAN
5-2 last week on my predictions and now I am 26-14 on the season! I am heating up and we have some fabolous games today. Studio65 will be in the house shooting photos and the action gets underway at 3pm. So let's get to work boys!!
3PM HEATS VS PACERS – (PACERS + 4)
An interesting match up between two teams that have had tremendous success. Sprinkle in the narrative behind this marquee match up as Nidun returns to take on his former team. The Heat have done an excellent job in retooling their roster and staying afloat after Nidun bailed on the Heat. On the flip side the Pacers have their own issues as this team was designed to be a championship or bust team and so far...the Pacers have not had a statement win. I still give the edge to the Pacers as they have a former MVP Duzan along with Nidun which I think will be too much for the Heat. Spacing and shooting with be will key areas to focus on both teams.
3:45PM PISTONS VS ROCKETS – (ROCKETS + 14)
The Pistons have taken a step back. The hype and flare they had last season isn’t there. To the casuals that look at their record and say, “they are 3-1”….. but you probably do not know basketball! The Rockets are going to make a statement and take this easily. To make this game interesting the entire Pistons squad needs to show up and step up. Both teams have legitimate centers and the keys to winning this game is to limit Big Mike as much as possible and reduce Toby's effectiveness.
4:00PM GRIZZLIES VS LAKERS – (LAKERS + 6)
This is a key game that the Grizzlies need to win. Season 6 MVP Ben needs to throw the entire Grizzlies organization on his back and carry them to a win. Jesse needs to gobble up every single board and bang down with the monstrous Lakers. As we hit the second part of this season every game matters for the Grizzlies. Lakers need to muster up this win as the Grizzlies will be rusty and haven't played in a month.
4:45PM HAWKS VS NETS – (NETS + 13)
Ladies and gentlemen, the Atlanta Hawks are done. Kisho and the league office cannot pay me enough to talk about two lottery teams. Both teams are like the villains in the 'Home Alone' movies. Just a comedy of mistakes and falling flat every time.
5:00PM KINGS VS RAPTORS (RAPTORS +5)
Both teams need this win as both teams are potentially facing playoff elimination soon. Both teams have under performed. To be frank, both teams are playing like hot garbage. I give the Raptors the edge as I see the upside for the Raptors more so than Kings. GM Nishan needs to win on Sunday or look to blow it up.
5:45PM CAVALIERS VS SIXERS (SIXERS +4)
Two teams with legitimate big 3’s The Cavs have Rose, Michael, and Abeku and the Sixers have a big 3 of Mayo, Ryan and Kareem. Sixers have to play smart, especially down the stretch. However, I do think after losing three games this season the sixers will pull this one off. I do think this game has the potential to be the game of the night!
6:00PM BOBCATS VS CLIPPERS (BOBCATS +7)
The defending world champions are hurt, humbled and hungry. Murmurs around the league are naming them the 'LOLCATS' after recent losses. WOJ is reporting GM Omar and company are not tolerating any of this and are looking to make a statement again the Clippers. With Christian back on the team, FMVP Kalsang locked in and Allan playing out of this word, I do not see the Bobcats loosing. The big three of Ajahmo, Aaron and Kris need to step up. With an eleven-man roster, GM Randy needs to figure it out. The Clippers need this win as this loss puts them out of the top 4. All the talk in season 5, as the bubble championship or asterisk champions may have some validity as the Clippers haven’t played like champions since season 5.