NBA 06.12.2009

[Miki]

Rahul's PICK:
Miami @ Kings
Miami WIN

Miami Heat are heading to Sacramento after they are currently playing really hard against the Phoenix Suns as I am writing this preview.

With Kevin Martin and Fernando Garcia missing due to injury till at least the new year, things were supposed to turn for the worse. Tyreke Evans has brought about a spark in this team, along with Thompson and Hawes.

Miami are led completely by Wade who is averaging 27ppg and trying to lead this team through a difficult West coast road trip after suffering 2 successive losses against the Nuggets and the Lakers who were the 2 teams to reach the Western Finals last year.

They came close to beating the Lakers leading by 5 at one point in the final minute, but some streaky shooting by the Lakers, go them out of the hole including a Kobe buzzer beater.

Michael Beasley and Jermaine O'Neal have finally adjusted themselves to this Heat team and are now Wade's dependable side-kicks in the squad as they contribute mid-double-digit scoring so far this season.

They have had a day's rest, and despite the Kings being on a 4 game winning streak at home, they all came with a day's rest. But tonight with a back-to-back one away and one at home, things won't be too comfortable for the Kings especially since they have to keep up with the pace of the Suns so far.

Miami to win this game tonight.

Totally agree with this pick... Would have written about it myself but too late.
HEAT is a much more talented team with Wade and Beasley plus they have an former All-Star J. O'neal in the team.

[Miki]

MY PICK
Cavs @ Bucks
Handicap: Bucks +7

Cleveland is at the moment on a 5-1 run.

They are very tough opponent no matter where they play and who they play against because one reason only and that is LeBron James. Almost every game depends on how he plays and he doesn't play that many games bad.

But this is the fact. Cleveland defense is far different from when they play at home and away. In their last two games away they have won(at Detroit by 10) and lost(at Charlotte by 7). Both of those teams are low scoring team, who play on little possessions and try to grind their wins like that.

When they play at home, Cleveland is capable of keeping teams with high scoring offense under 100 points but playing away there defense is totally different. With Shaq back their rhythm is much slower, they post him to often for my liking and hope for teams to double him up. Their offense is not free flowing. Everything depends on what James does on the court and that is the main problem. I think they'll try to keep this game low scoring and try to continue they winning streak but...They have one of the best home teams in the league against them.

No one has ever expected this from Bucks. But that is all thanks to coach Skiles... He is making new Bulls from 3 years ago.

But... Bucks on the other hand are at the moment at 1-4 run. And are allowing the teams to score a lot lately. They started their season great and that is all thanks to home court. No one has beaten Bucks more than 2 Points at home and the main reason is Brandon Jennings.

The way Jennings plays so the Bucks do as both have started great but have slowed down lately. He is only a Rookie but is scoring over 20 Pts a game, but there is a difference between him and other Rookies. His game is more mature thanks to playing in Europe last season. He was supposed to be drafted last season but couldn't because he has only finished high school... Lebron was the last generation that could be drafted from high school. Not that Jennings is Lebron but he WAS playing like a superstar.

Lately Jennings said on his Twitter from now on :"more passing less shooting", mostly due to his awful mid-range shots where he is on 33%... on the other hand he is still shooting amazingly well for 3 points. But with Redd out and Bogut playing against Shaq I think he ll again have to carry most of the scoring, and with his shots not going in lately and playing against Mo-Will and Delonte West, Jennings will have hands full of work. But he is just too good and is smart so he ll know what he has to do. And that is learn and listen to what Skiles says.

With the trend they are going both Bucks and Jennings( as i said 1-4 run) I think coach Skiles will force them to play better and stronger defense as they are allowing teams to score a lot.Coach Skiles is a defense minded coach and he has let his rookie Jennings runs the plays he wants and he has full confidence in him, but wins are what counts and

Coach Skiles knows what he is doing. His team has been great at home. They are 7-2 at home and have lost only to Orlando by 2 Pts and to Dallas in OT. So this time more defense, grind out a win in a low scoring match and start winning again. And if the Bucks play Skiles game they are due to play a close match therefore I take them one +7.

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