- WEEK 3 PREDICTIONS -
WRITTEN BY: STEPHEN A. KELLERMAN
Okay guys, your favorite predictor is back for another round of ETBL games. I went 3-2 overall on my first week of predictions (you let me down Pistons! and the Bulls looked like blind hamsters running on a slow paced treadmill) so not too bad but let's see If I can do better today. I will go in depth on the 4 of the games but the Commissioner doesn't pay me enought to do it for all the games :)
6PM BULLS vs HAWKS
HAWKS +10 - Bulls looked sluggish and out of rhythm on both ends of the floor. With the long layoff I definitely don't see this improving. Like the Lakers in real life, you have to wonder if Shang still has it? No longer can Shang just will a team to the finals off sheer talent. He's going to need more help. You have to believe 0-7 shooting from 3 was a fluke and he'll bounce back. As for the Hawks, I see their 3 guard line up giving the Bulls issues in the transition. Mithun looks like he took his game up a notch and is shooting better. I have the hawks winning this one in another blow out!
630PM BLAZERS vs HORNETS
HORNETS +10 - Hornets were in a close on the last time they played and you could tell the loss bothered them. I think they will come out hungrier this game and look to take control early. The Commish really should have 2 tiers this year as the talent level for some teams isn't quite competitive. This is the case for the Blazers. Maybe they didn't have their full roster and what they showed wasn't their best. I just don't see them being competitive on most nights. The player prop bet of the night is (-115) for Akshay to get 20 points and 15 rebs. Hornets sting the Blazers.
7PM CLIPPERS vs HEAT
CLIPPERS +7 - Finally a watchable game! The defending champs looked like who we thought they were...maybe even better. Some might say it was the competition they faced but I look at the fact they didn't have their MVP Kris and still looked like champs. The Heat were in a close game and gutted out a tough win. Anthony was flowing and doing the tango out there finishing with 21 points. Those type of wins build character and sharpness on the court. This will be a matchup of size vs transition. Hopefully Captain Ginyu is back and we can see best on best. Clippers edge out a win with speed and transition.
730PM RAPTORS vs WOLVES
WOLVES +5 - Any team that has Shaq on their team should be a powerful team...and the Wolves have 2 Shaq's lol. The Raptors just done have "it".
8PM SONICS vs SPURS
SPURS +14 - Yes I learned my lesson. Don't bet against Vijay and company. I feel somewhat responsible for the beatdown they gave the Bulls so no extra motivation this week. The Sonics are alot better team though but they aren't in the middle class of ETBL and not in the upper class.
830PM GRIZZLIES vs KNICKS
GRIZZLIES +8 - The Knicks are a solid team but The King of Lagos, Benny O, should have another 2K stat line in this one. I don't see how they can contain him with the lack of size they have. Much of the spotlight gets put on Ben, but he has a great runnig mate in Abdul who can pick up the slack when Ben looses interest. The Grizz are a high potential team with the addition of Jesse and a solid guard in Zanoon. Can they fufill their potential is the question. Knicks looked like they were figuring things out in game one. They have youth and inexperience but I feel like the team at the end of the season will be much better than the team we see Sunday. Grizz with a comfortable win.
9PM PISTONS vs SUNS
PISTONS +4 - Motor city was humbled in the first game but I think they come out paying more attention to detail. The only problem is they are not getting any younger. But Gandalf The Grey is still a wise and powerful being regardless of age. Suns need to play smarter and harder than the last time.
10PM JAZZ vs NETS
JAZZ +12 - Brett The Hitman Hart is ready to wrestle his way into the upper class of ETBL. Nets have to show me first that they can compete at a high level.