Hoop Hopes – Ricky Rothstein makes his picks for tonight’s NBA action!
San Antonio at Washington Washington stomped the jeepers out of Oklahoma City, the best of the West, on Saturday but that doesn’t mean the Wizards will be able to repeat the dose when the Spurs visit the Verizon Center tonight. Oklahoma got beat 81-96 as a six-point road favorite, but there is an extenuating factor – Oklahoma played a tough game at Brooklyn on Friday before flying south to Washington.
By contrast, the Spurs are fully rested after easing past New Orleans at home on Monday. The Spurs had lost three straight games, their worst run of the season, last week but they’ve shaken that off to come back to themselves now, led by veteran point guard Tony Parker and the timeless wonder that is Tim Duncan. Mano Ginobili is on the IR but the Spurs might still have too much for the Wizards. Hoop Hope 1 | San Antonio -1.0
Phoenix at Houston Houston is a huge favorite at home to Phoenix, but the Rockets might not get it all their own way against the Suns. The argument in favor of the Rockets covering is that Houston’s James Harden is back from the IR and the Suns’ Eric Bledsoe has been there for nearly a month and he won’t be back for some time, if he comes back at all this season.
But the Suns haven’t tanked in Bledsoe’s absence, and one loss at Chicago doesn’t mean they’re doomed – the Union Center isn’t an easy place to visit and come away with a W. Houston isn’t that reliable a team in terms of consistency – whatever about them winning, Phoenix to cover a big number like eight is a good bet here. Hoop Hope 2 | Phoenix +8.0
Miami at LA Clippers Is February moving month for the Heat? One feature of the two-time champions’ game this year has been a disinclination to fight like dogs in every game. They’ve been playing within themselves, fully confident of being in the playoffs and being able to step up then. They have been there and done that, after all.
But it’s February now, and it’s in February that the Heat in the King James era have hit the accelerator. The Clippers are a slight favorite even though CP3 isn’t expected back from injury until later this week, but the Heat may feel like making a statement tonight at the Staples Center. Hoop Hope 3 | Miami +1.5
Follow Ricky Rothstein’s Hoop Hopes every night – he’s 35-31, .530, for the season so far!
