We are now entering the third month of the NBA season and injuries are starting to play a big role. Tonight’s two national television games are a perfect example, as key players are missing or questionable for each team.
HOUSTON at CLEVELAND (-7 ½, 191) (TNT)
The Rockets snapped their five-game losing streak with a 123-111 upset win at Washington as 5 ½-point underdogs on Tuesday. The Rockets dominated the game and led by as many as 26 points and shot an excellent 55% from the field. It was only the sixth time all season that Houston has scored over 100 points and only the second time he has shot above 49% FG on offense. Tracy McGrady led the team with 38 points, while Juwan Howard added 24 points and played well above his average of 9.4 points per game.
The Rockets are still playing without center Yao Ming, who is out with a toe injury. Ming is second on the team in scoring (19.9 ppg) and leads the squad in rebounding (9.0 ppg) and blocks (1.4 ppg).
Cleveland is coming off a big win last night at Milwaukee, 91-84, in which the Cavaliers overcame a five-point deficit going into the fourth quarter. Cleveland also had to play without guard Larry Hughes, who missed the game with a finger injury and is listed as questionable tonight. Hughes is second on the team in scoring (16.2 points per game) and steals (1.5 points per game) and third on the team in assists (3.9 points per game).
The Cavaliers have now gone 8-1 SU/ATS in their last nine games, with six of those eight wins coming at home. This is not a surprise as Cleveland has been extremely strong at home this season, going 13-3 SU (12-4 ATS).
INDIANA in GOLDEN STATE (-8) (TNT)
The Pacers are struggling since their 5-1 SU/ATS streak in mid-December and have gone just 1-5 SU/ATS in their last six games, including a 106-86 loss at Denver last night. Indiana came up short as both Jermaine O’Neal and Jamaal Tinsley missed the game.
O’Neal is battling pneumonia and is listed as questionable tonight. He leads the team in scoring (22.3 ppg), rebounding (10.0 ppg) and blocks (2.3 ppg). Tinsley is questionable tonight with a biceps injury and leads the team in assists (5.4 ppg) and steals (1.5 ppg) and is third in scoring (11.5 ppg).
Golden State has been a streaky team this season and after an 0-5 SU run in mid-December, they’ve since gone 3-1 SU in the last four games. The Warriors have struggled defensively and have allowed 48% FG or higher in ten of their last eleven games.
Golden State likely won’t have one of its best defenders tonight, as center Adonal Foyle is unlikely to play due to back problems. Foyle is averaging 23.3 minutes per game and leads the team in blocks (1.7 bpg).
The home court has been strong in this series, with the home team going 6-1 SU/ATS the last four years, including a perfect 2-0 SU/ATS last season.
