PREMIUM
GAME OF THE WEEK (Rogers' 10* NBA) >> Memphis (+7.5) Won Outright Last Wk!
(NBA) Charlotte vs. Utah,
Point Spread: 8.50 | -106.00 Charlotte (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 8.50 | -106.00 Charlotte (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 23-27 Charlotte Hornets wrap up a three-game road trip tonight in Salt Lake City, taking on the 31-19 Utah Jazz. The Hornets have dropped the first two games of their trip (at Portland and Golden State) and hope to snap a six-game overall slide. For the Jazz, they are looking to wrap up a four-game homestand at 3-1, after beating the Bucks 104-88 on Wednesday.
Charlotte: The Hornets got off to a solid start early in the season (opened 8-3) but that seems like a long time ago now, as Charlotte has dropped 13 of its last 17 games, overall. The Hornets just acquired center Miles Plumlee from the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, in exchange for centers Spencer Hawes and Roy Hibbert. I'm not sure how that makes much of a difference and why would they want the four-year, $50 million contract he signed last summer? Plumlee has played in just 32 games, averaging 2.6 & 1.7 in just under 10 minutes of playing time.
Utah: Center Rudy Gobert (13.1 & 12.6) had a 26-point, 15-rebound effort in Utah's Wednesday win over the Bucks, for his 33rd double-double of the season. He felt as if he had done enough to make the All Star team but the Jazz will send only SF Hayward (21.8-5.7-3.5) to New Orleans on Feb. 19th. The Jazz own the NBA's stingiest defense, allowing a league-low 95.3 PPG, while holding opponents to just 43.5% from the floor (also ranks 1st).
The pick: The Jazz have made a real name for themselves this season but along with that comes 'heavier' prices. The Hornets own an outstanding backcourt duo in Walker (22.9 & 5.5 APG) and Batum (14.9-7.3-6.0 plus own a host of credible role players. The Hornets are still "right in" the battle for that final playoff spot in the East. Take the points and make Charlotte a 10* play.
Charlotte: The Hornets got off to a solid start early in the season (opened 8-3) but that seems like a long time ago now, as Charlotte has dropped 13 of its last 17 games, overall. The Hornets just acquired center Miles Plumlee from the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, in exchange for centers Spencer Hawes and Roy Hibbert. I'm not sure how that makes much of a difference and why would they want the four-year, $50 million contract he signed last summer? Plumlee has played in just 32 games, averaging 2.6 & 1.7 in just under 10 minutes of playing time.
Utah: Center Rudy Gobert (13.1 & 12.6) had a 26-point, 15-rebound effort in Utah's Wednesday win over the Bucks, for his 33rd double-double of the season. He felt as if he had done enough to make the All Star team but the Jazz will send only SF Hayward (21.8-5.7-3.5) to New Orleans on Feb. 19th. The Jazz own the NBA's stingiest defense, allowing a league-low 95.3 PPG, while holding opponents to just 43.5% from the floor (also ranks 1st).
The pick: The Jazz have made a real name for themselves this season but along with that comes 'heavier' prices. The Hornets own an outstanding backcourt duo in Walker (22.9 & 5.5 APG) and Batum (14.9-7.3-6.0 plus own a host of credible role players. The Hornets are still "right in" the battle for that final playoff spot in the East. Take the points and make Charlotte a 10* play.
