NBA Notes – Horford and Zaza ‘out’ tonight
Published on Wednesday, 1/23/13, at 1:21 p.m. Eastern.
By Brian Edwards
–As of early this afternoon, Atlanta was a 3.5-point favorite at Charlotte. The Hawks have already lost Lou Williams, their third-leading scorer, to a season-ending injury in the last week and now they’ll be without Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia tonight. Horford (leg) and Pachulia (Achilles) remained in The ATL for treatment and didn’t make the trip to Charlotte. Horford averages 15.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. On the bright side for Larry Drew’s squad, Devin Harris and DeShawn Stevenson will return to the lineup tonight.
–The ‘over’ is 6-1 in the last seven head-to-head meetings between the Hawks and Bobcats.
–Tim Duncan is ‘out’ tonight for San Antonio’s home game against New Orleans. The perennial All-Star, who averages 17.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, will rest due to a sore knee. However, Manu Ginobili (12.9 PPG) will return against the Hornets after missing four games with a hamstring injury. Anthony Davis has been upgraded to ‘probable’ for the Hornets after turning his ankle Monday in a win over Sacramento. New Orleans has taken the cash in all three regular-season meetings against San Antonio this year, winning outright in the last encounter at home earlier this month. The Spurs are favored by 8.5 at most spots.
–Washington has covered the number in seven consecutive games and 11 of its last 13. The Wizards are seven-point underdogs tonight at Utah.
–The Lakers are an atrocious 2-10 against the spread as underdogs this year. They suck and I love it! Memphis is a four-point home favorite vs. Los Angeles tonight.
–The Phoenix Suns are obviously a team in turmoil right now. Head coach Alvin Gentry was fired a few days ago and now according to YahooSports.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Jermaine O’Neal and the club’s GM had a heated exchange earlier this week.
–Wojnarowski also reported this week that the new Seattle ownership group could target R.C. Buford or Larry Bird to run the franchise. The group has acquired the Sacramento Kings from The Maloof Brothers, but Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is fighting the deal aggressively. KJ has advised Seattle: ‘Don’t celebrate too early.’
–There are three home underdogs on tonight’s 11-game card: Charlotte (+3) vs. Atlanta, Minnesota (+5) vs. Brooklyn and Golden St. (+2) vs. Oklahoma City.
–I had a piss-poor pick on the Magic last night. The defeat dropped my season record to 39-25 (61%). I’ve got three selections for tonight.
