It’s a busy night in the NBA on Wednesday with thirteen games on the board and injuries continue to play a role. Below is a look at five games tonight where 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 Nov. 22. The slump coincided with numerous injuries and the Hornets remain without three of their five leading scorers, as Peja Stojakovic (17.8 points per game), David West (17.4 points per game) and Bobby Jackson (10.9 points per game) match) remain on the disabled list.
Orlando started the season 13-4 SU, but they have only gone 3-6 SU in their last nine games and are also battling key injuries. Jameer Nelson is questionable tonight due to a groin injury and has missed the last three games, while Hidayet Turkoglu is out for another two weeks with 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 come into 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 Dec. 13, but only lasted three games when he sprained his ankle in Saturday’s 106-100 win over Charlotte. Szczerbiak is out indefinitely and is averaging 19.1 points per game.
Golden State enters on consecutive losses, including a 105-97 setback at New Jersey on Monday. The Warriors have regained the services of Jason Richardson, who returned Monday after an eight-game absence. Richardson is third on the team in scoring (14.3 points per game) and tied for third in assists (3.1 points per game).
CHARLOTTE in NEW YORK (-3½, 192)
The Knicks continue to play understaffed due to suspensions and injuries. Nate Robertson, Jared Jeffries and Mardy Collins are suspended again tonight due to their involvement in last Saturday’s fight against 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 condition of Steve Francis, who has missed the past six games with a knee injury. Francis will be out for another two weeks and is second on the team in assists (4.5 points per game) and fourth on the team in points (11.0 points per game).
Charlotte is also missing a point guard as Brevin Knight is out tonight due to a groin injury he sustained last Thursday against Orlando. Knight leads the team in assists (7.2 points per game) and is fifth in scoring (12.2 points per game).
HOUSTON at PORTLAND (no line)
There is no overnight lineup in this game due to injury concerns for both teams. Houston’s Tracy McGrady is in doubt after missing the last four games due to back spasms, while Portland’s Zach Randolph is experiencing foot pain and could 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 ppg) and is second in scoring (19.2 ppg). The Trailblazers have only played one game without Randolph this season and won outright in Toronto 93-83 on Dec. 10 as underdogs by 7½ points. Randolph leads the team in scoring (25.4 ppg) and rebounding (10.1 rpg).
TORONTO at THE CLIPPERS (-8, 193)
Surprisingly, the Raptors have gone 3-1 SU/ATS over the last 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 ppg) and blocks (1.1 ppg) this season. Despite Toronto’s 115-98 loss at Phoenix last night, the Raptors are still a solid 23-5 ATS as underdogs of 8 or more points since early last season, including 6-3 ATS this year.
The Raptors’ recent success has coincided with the emergence of No. 1 rookie pick in the draft, Andrea Bargnani, who has scored at least 18 points or more in three of the last four games. Jorge Garbajosa is also playing well and had scored in double figures in five of his previous six games before suffering a calf injury in the first half last night against Phoenix.
The Clippers are also struggling with injuries, as point guard Sam Cassell has missed two of the last three games with ankle and foot injuries and is questionable tonight. Cassell is second on the team in scoring (14.4 points per game) and assists (5.0 points per game).
STEVE MERRIL is a professional sports handicapper and a documented member of The Professional Handicappers League. Get your Premium plays here.