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NBA Friday: Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
While the Houston Rockets are doing fairly well with a tough part of their schedule, the Miami Heat are struggling to pick up a win against anybody. Dwayne Wade has returned to the line-up, which is more then a good sign for the Heat, but Shaq may be on his last legs. Despite appearing in great physical shape “The Diesel” is putting up career lows. He is only averaging 14.6 points per game for the 1-7 Heat. Leading the team is scoring is streaky shooter Ricky Davis. Davis has always been close to being an elite NBA player, but his mouth has gotten him in trouble and he has the reputation of being a cancer in NBA locker rooms. Right now though, the team needs him and his 15.3 points per game to help pull the Heat out of the gutter. Houston, of course is led by Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. While the Rockets are playing on the road in this one, their competition in the West has been far greater then anything the Heat can offer them at this point of the season. Wade is taking his time working himself back into the starting rotation, and word is he still may be suffering from lingering effects of his injury. I’m picking the Rockets in this one fairly easy, but being the NBA, anything can happen. Too much firepower right now is what separates these two squads. When they meet again later in the season it may be a different story.
NBA Friday: Orlando Magic vs. Phoenix Suns
If you are an NBA fan then you can’t really find a better way to end your week. The 12-3 Orlando Magic, are playing great on the road (7-1) and have the distinction of being the only team to beat the red hot Boston Celtics this year. The Phoenix Suns are also playing well, just as expected. A part of their success this season can be attributed to how well the often injured Grant Hill has been playing. Hill was a bit of a mystery coming into this season, mainly because he’s missed more games then he’s played in recent years, but 15.2 points per game this year has made him a welcome addition. Of course, it always helps when two time MVP Steve Nash in the one passing you the ball. Nash is averaging 10 assists per game while also averaging nearly 20 points per game. The entire starting line up for the Suns is averaging over 15 a game, a recipe for success.
Orlando Magic once had a big game by the name of Shaq leading them, now they have a big guy by the name of Dwight leading them, Dwight Howard, that is. Howard is averaging 25.5 points per game, 14.5 rebounds, and just under 3 blocks. He has the team playing better than it has in years, and they seem to be ready to make a serious run for an NBA title. The game is being played in Phoenix, where the Suns play great, so that’s why I will favor them in this one.
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