Sports

NBA Basketball Games: December 18-20, 2005

Sunday (12/18)

Better:
T’Wolves @ Mavericks: Garnett and Nowitzki are, as always, the showcases of this showdown. If Dallas or Minnesota want to be successful in June, they will need the help of the supporting cast. Josh Howard is back for Dallas, as is Troy Hudson for Minnesota. Szczerbiak is T’Wolves man # 2, but Dallas has a conundrum with Terry, Howard and Daniels, all producing sporadically.

Runner-up:
Rockets @ Lakers: This was always the game where Yao Ming would pull off a 30-point performance. With Shaq gone and Chris Mihm, will Yao come to play? McGrady and Kobe provide perhaps the only one-on-one matchup in the NBA where both players are confident of scoring more than 30 points.

Burst:
Spurs @ Hornets: Western teams are always going to do their best against the Spurs, but even then it doesn’t translate into a W. The Warriors were in a similar spot earlier this year and lost at home by 30. The Hornets have had to travel between Baton Rouge and Oklahoma City just for home games, so facing the Spurs isn’t a great break. How long can the Hornets continue to play hard before they go bust like the Saints did?

Monday (19/12)

Better:
Pistons @ Grizzlies: Two of the best defensive teams in the NBA meet in Memphis. Stoudamire and Jones have added veteran defense leadership, something Jason Williams and Bonzi Wells had no patience for. Detroit wins all its close games, so Pau Gasol will have to step up (again) to give Memphis a win.

Runner-up:
Warriors @ Celtics: These are two teams that could miss the playoffs solely because of inexperience. Only Fisher, Davis and Calbert Cheney have been in the playoffs for Golden State. Boston isn’t much better and it doesn’t have a player who’s been to the Finals. Golden State has a slight advantage, as Delonte West will have trouble covering Baron Davis.

Burst:
Raptors @ Magic: Toronto’s will to play tough has started to waver. Jalen Rose is now on the bench due to a serious lack of production. José Calderón is injured, which means that there are many unemployed. With Grant Hill back, Orlando’s offense is more fluid and he shouldn’t have a problem taking advantage of the Raptors’ weak D.

Tuesday (12/20)

Better:
Sonics @ Suns: Last year, the Sonics were the only team to win in San Antonio, Phoenix, Dallas and Miami. This year, the Supersonics can’t even maintain their own court. Phoenix is ​​a better version of Seattle; Still, the two teams play exactly the same way. Don’t expect defensive pressure on this one. Both teams are prolific scorers and lethargic defenders.

Runner-up:
Spurs @ Bucks: Both teams rely heavily on their supporting cast, particularly Milwaukee. The Bucks need Ford, Redd, Simmons, Magloire and Bogut to produce. The triple will be difficult for Milwaukee; They lead the league in 3-point shooting, but San Antonio is one of the best teams in terms of defending the outside shot. Simmons and Bogut will have to score points in the paint to win the Bucks.

Burst:
Hawks @ Heat: Only if Shaq and Wade don’t try; that’s the only way this isn’t a 30-point blowout by halftime. Zaza Pachulia and Al Harrington are too small to make a dent in Shaq’s box score. Joe Johnson wants to be a superstar, but he will have a rude awakening when he takes on Dwyane Wade. If Miami is close to Detroit, they will save this game after the first quarter.

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