NBA Fullcourt Report - Wed. Dec. 20

By: Steve Merril

It is a busy night in NBA on Wednesday with thirteen games on the board and injuries continue to play a major role. Below is a look at five games this evening in which key players might not be available for their teams.

NEW ORLEANS at ORLANDO (-7½, 177½)

The Hornets 8-3 SU start to the season is a distant memory compared to their 2-10 SU mark since November 22nd. The fall coincided with numerous injuries and the Hornets are still without three of their top five scorers as Peja Stojakovic (17.8 ppg), David West (17.4 ppg), and Bobby Jackson (10.9 ppg) remain on the injured list.

Orlando started the season 13-4 SU, but they have gone just 3-6 SU over their past nine games and are also battling key injuries. Jameer Nelson is questionable tonight due to a groin injury and has missed the past three games, while Hidayet Turkoglu is out for another two weeks due to an ankle injury.

Nelson leads the team in assists (4.0 apg) and is third in scoring (12.8 ppg), while Turkoglu is fifth on the team in scoring (9.8 ppg) and averaged 28.8 minutes per game.

GOLDEN STATE at BOSTON (-2, 219)

The Celtics are playing their best basketball of the season and enter tonight’s game on a perfect 5-0 SU/ATS run. The team’s second leading scorer, Wally Szczerbiak returned from his five-game absence on December 13th, but only lasted three games as he sprained his ankle in Saturday’s 106-100 win versus Charlotte. Szczerbiak is out indefinitely and averages 19.1 points per game.

Golden State enters off back-to-back road losses, including a 105-97 setback at New Jersey on Monday. The Warriors have regained the services of Jason Richardson who returned on Monday from his eight-game absence. Richardson is third on the team in scoring (14.3 ppg) and tied for third in assists (3.1 apg).

CHARLOTTE at NEW YORK (-3½, 192)

The Knicks continue to play short-handed due to suspensions and injuries. Nate Robertson, Jared Jeffries, and Mardy Collins are suspended again tonight due to their involvement in last Saturday’s brawl versus Denver. Jeffries and Collins have barely played this season, but Robertson has averaged 20 minutes per game and 9.6 points.

The Knicks biggest concern is the status of Steve Francis who has missed the past six games due to a knee injury. Francis is out for another two weeks and is second on the team in assists (4.5 apg) and fourth on the team in scoring (11.0 ppg).

Charlotte is also missing a point guard as Brevin Knight is out tonight due to a groin injury he suffered last Thursday versus Orlando. Knight leads the team in assists (7.2 apg) and is fifth in scoring (12.2 ppg).

HOUSTON at PORTLAND (no line)

There is no overnight line in this game due to injury concerns for both squads. Houston’s Tracy McGrady is doubtful after missing the past four games due to back spasms, while Portland’s Zach Randolph is experiencing foot pain and might miss tonight’s game.

The Rockets are 1-3 SU (2-2 ATS) this season without McGrady who leads the team in assists (6.3 apg) and is second in scoring (19.2 ppg). The Trailblazers have only played one game without Randolph this season and won outright at Toronto 93-83 on December 10th as a 7½-point underdog. Randolph leads the team in scoring (25.4 ppg) and rebounding (10.1 rpg).

TORONTO at L.A. CLIPPERS (-8, 193)

The Raptors have surprisingly gone 3-1 SU/ATS during their past four games, even without their best player, Chris Bosh, who remains out with a knee injury. Bosh leads the team in scoring (20.5 ppg), rebounding (12.2 rpg), and blocks (1.1 bpg) this season. Despite Toronto’s 115-98 loss at Phoenix last night, the Raptors are still a solid 23-5 ATS as an underdog of 8 points or more since early last season, including 6-3 ATS this year.

The Raptors recent success has coincided with the emergence of rookie #1 draft pick Andrea Bargnani who has scored at least 18 points or more in three of the past four games. Jorge Garbajosa is also playing well and had scored double-figures in five of his previous six games before suffering a calf injury in the first half last night versus Phoenix.

The Clippers are also battling injuries as point guard Sam Cassell has missed two of the past three games with ankle and foot injuries and is questionable tonight. Cassell is second on the team in scoring (14.4 ppg) and assists (5.0 apg).

STEVE MERRIL is a professional sports handicapper and a documented member of The Professional Handicappers League. Get his Premium plays here.