NBA DISS: BULLS (32-23) VS. THUNDER (40-15)

by LUCAS COMBS

When: Sunday, February 24th, 2013 at 630PM PT
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
Line: -8.5 Thunder
Total: 196

Line Movement

Last Meeting: November 8th – The Thunder defeated the Bulls in Chicago, 97-91.

The Match-Up

The Chicago Bulls travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder Sunday evening. Both teams got much needed victories Friday after stretches of poor play. The Bulls routed the Charlotte Bobcats, 105-75, after losing 3 of 4 and the Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 127-111 after losing 3 straight. Chicago moved the ball astoundingly well in the victory over the Bobcats, amassing 37 assists on 42 made baskets. The Thunder received 35 points and 9 dimes from Russel Westbrook in the victory over Minnesota.

Betting Information

Despite not having a stellar record overall against the spread, the Chicago Bulls have been a good road team to bet on, going 17-9 ATS in road games (24-30 ATS overall). The Oklahoma City Thunder are 32-21 ATS overall (19-9 ATS at home).

Chicago is just 6-14 ATS versus non-conference opponents and 1-4 ATS versus Northwest Division opponents.

Concerning the total, Chicago has a tendency to play in lower scoring games than anticipated (32-23 Under), but on the road, the Bulls are 15-12 Over in road games. Oklahoma City tends to play in higher scoring games than anticipated and are 29-24 Over overall (17-10 Over at home).

The Thunder are 7-2 Over in their last 9 contests.

Brotherly Diss

Derrick Rose’s brother isn’t happy about Chicago not making any moves before the trade deadline. Reggie Rose told ESPN Chicago that he doesn’t think the Bulls’ organization has done enough to ensure Chicago will be a contender.

“What have you pieced together? Have you made any moves? Have you made any trades to get better? You know all roads to the championship lead through Miami,” he told ESPN Chicago. “What pieces have you put together for the physical playoffs? Joakim Noah is a great player. Luol Deng is a great player. But you need more than that. You have to put together pieces to your main piece. The players can only do so much. It’s up to the organization to make them better.”

So, let’s get this straight. The Chicago Bulls, who are 9 games above .500 and fifth in the Eastern Conference without their best player haven’t done enough to become a contender? Right. Does Mr. Derrick Rose’s brother realize what Chicago has accomplished without his brother?

Perhaps, we should wait until his brother returns from injury to pass judgement. Who knows, the Bulls might just be that much better.

Injury Report

Source: USA TODAY

THE GHOST OF MAKAVELI CAN’T SAVE EM’ – CELTICS VS. LAKERS

When: Wednesday, February 20th at 730PM PT

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

Line: -7.5 Lakers

Total: 196.5

Line Movement 

Last Meeting: The Celtics easily defeated the Lakers in Boston on February 7th, 116-95.

The Match-Up

The injury plagued Boston Celtics dropped their second in three games, falling to the Denver Nuggets at home Tuesday night, 97-90. The Los Angeles Lakers have also lost two out of their last three games. Boston will travel to the Staples Center Wednesday to play their second game in as many days to face a Lakers squad that hasn’t played since before the All-Star break.

Betting Information

Against the spread, the home team Los Angeles Lakers are a lowly 21-33 ATS overall (12-15 ATS in home games), 17-18 ATS as a favorite, and 7-14 ATS in non-conference games. The Celtics are 22-28 ATS overall (7-14 ATS in road games) and 8-10 ATS as an underdog. Boston is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games.

Concerning the total, the Lakers are 27-26 Over (14-12 Under in home games) and 14-7 Under in non-conference games. The Celtics are 27-25 Under overall (12-11 Under on the road).

The total has gone Under in 7 of the last 10 contests between the Lakers and the Celtics.

Will the Death of Jerry Buss’ inspire the Lakers?

God bless the dead and all, but come on. The LA Lakers, a team made up of individuals not even half the age of Jerry Buss, are going to grieve for a day or two more, then go on collectin’ those paychecks. Not even the second-coming of Tupac Amaru Shakur will get these Lakers to come together and play with heart. Could the Lakers make the playoffs as a 7 or 8 seed? Sure. With that line-up, anything short of a Finals appearance would be a bust. The showtime Lakers, however, still have plenty of uncomfortable questions with equally uncomfortable answers. Two things that are about as certain as not being able to see through the LA smog: The Lakers ain’t making the Finals. The Lakers ain’t winning a playoff series.

Injury Report

Source: ESPN, LA Times

HATE NOT LOVE: CLIPPERS (38-17) VS. LAKERS (25-28)

by LUCAS COMBS

Previous Meeting (s): The Clippers have defeated the Lakers twice this season – on November 2^nd as the road team, 105-95 and on January 4^th as the home team 107-102.

When: Thurs, February 13^th at 730 PM PT

Where: Staples Center, LA, California

Line: -3 Clippers, Total: 200

Line Movement

Rivalry Match-Up

Home is where the heart is will be the theme in Thursday’s Valentine’s Day rivalry at the Staples Center between the Clippers and Lakers of Los Angeles. The Clippers scored 46 points in the first quarter and cruised to a 106-96 victory over the Houston Rockets late Wednesday night. Chauncey Billups, who is being eased back into the starting line-up after recovering from an ACL injury had his best game of the season with 19 points in just 20 minutes of action. The Clippers will need to get a good night’s sleep for the next day Valentine showdown with the hated Lakers.

The Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns Tuesday despite getting just 4 points from Kobe Bryant. If Bryant doesn’t score more than 4 points Thursday night, the Lakers will not only get knifed like a South Side Crip, but Kobe might start blaming Paul Gasol for being a wuss and not playing through injury.

Betting Information

Against the spread, the Lakers are just 1-3 ATS in their last 4 contests and a dismal 21-32 ATS overall (12-14 ATS in home games). The Lakers are also a porous 4-11 ATS as an underdog and 12-16 ATS versus teams with winning records. The Clippers, meanwhile, are 30-25 ATS overall (14-15 ATS in road games). Concerning the total, the Lakers are 10-4 Over as an underdog (26-26 overall, 14-11 Under in home games). The Clippers are 23-20 ATS as a favorite (28-25 Over overall, 15-14 Under on the road).

Glit and Glamor

The less glamorous Clippers have owned the glittery prima donna Lakers as of late, defeating the Lakers both times the teams faced off this season. The outcomes of the two games between the Clippers and the Lakers are microcosms of how the season has gone for each team. The Clippers have proven they are one of the league’s best, and are now looking to win the division and secure a #1 seed. The Lakers, on the other hand, continue to be inconsistent. Many blame the Lakers’ problems on injuries, but what about the Clippers’ injury problems? The Clippers had to go the first half of the season without Chauncey Billups. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and Jamal Crawford have all missed time with injuries. Boo-hoo Lakers. The Lakers do have one semi-objective believer, recently fired coach Mike Brown, who thinks the Lakers turnaround is “just a matter of time.” Dream big.

Injury Report

Source: ESPN

BADLY BRUISED: BULLS FACE CELTICS IN MATCHUP OF INJURED TEAMS

by TYLER WOGALTER

Last Meeting: The Bulls defeated the Celtics 100-99 (OT) at Boston on 1/18/13

Line: Celtics -2, Total: 182

Matchup

With injured lists that have more names than a petition, the banged-up Chicago Bulls travel to Boston on Wednesday to take on the wounded Celtics at 7:30 ET. Both the Celtics and Bulls have been struck with the injury bug this season, suffering long term injuries to each team’s respective All-Star point guards, as well as a number of other playmakers. The Bulls have been without 2011 MVP Derrick Rose all season, and have certainly missed his production recently. Chicago has lost three of their last four contests, giving up an average of 108.8 PPG to opponents over that stretch. The Celtics on the other hand, have played solid basketball since the season-ending injury of Rajon Rondo. Aside from an embarrassing loss at Charlotte on Monday, the Celtics have won seven of their last eight and have done surprisingly well without the former Kentucky star bringing up the ball.

In prior seasons, Chicago and Boston would be neck and neck with the Heat for the East’s best record, but injuries have derailed those plans for now. This matchup, one of the Eastern Conference’s finest rivalries, does not hold the same weight as it previously would have if both teams were healthy and vying for the top spot in the playoffs. Acting as the final game for each team before All-Star Weekend, both the Bulls and Celtics will need to amplify their play after the break if they want to contend for the Finals. Currently, the Bulls hold the 4^th seed in the East and have a half game cushion over the Nets. The Celtics possess the 7^th seed, but are only a game and a half above the Bucks for the final spot in the playoffs.

Betting Information

The Bulls are 30-21 straight up and 21-29 against the spread on the year. While playing on the road, Chicago is 15-9 SU and 14-9 ATS. The Bulls have a record of 29-22 Under against the overall point total, shooting an average of 93.6 PPG. Not too bad for a team without their best player.

The Celtics have a season record of 27-24 SU and 22-26 ATS, and are 19-9 SU and 15-12 ATS when playing at the TD Garden. Boston is 25-25 against the point total, and is putting up 96.3 PPG. Both teams have gone Over against the total in three of their last four games.

Injuries

As if losing Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger weren’t enough, the Celtics were dealt another season-ending injury on Monday in the form of a torn ACL to Leandro Barbosa. In the last month, the Celtics have lost three key contributors for the year, making the climb to the top of the East even harder. Barbosa was averaging 12.5 minutes, 5.2 PPG and 1.4 APG on the year.

What to watch for

Their last few games might not prove it, but the Bulls have been one of the best defensive teams in the league this season. Allowing only 91.9 PPG (3^rd in the league) and grabbing 43.6 RPG (6^th in the league), look for the Bulls to continue their defensive dominance as Joakim Noah clocks more minutes and fully returns from injury.

Veteran leadership is what Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett bring to the table and have been vital to their recent success. Combined, the two are averaging 36.0 PPG and 19.5 RPG throughout the month of February. If the Celtics hope to do anything against the Bulls, watch for these two future Hall of Famers to make their imprint on the game.

The pick

It’s tough to pick a team when it isn’t at full strength, which makes this game so difficult to pick. These two damaged clubs are in desperate need of the upcoming All-Star break, bringing up the question: “how hard will they play?” I think both teams will show up to play in Boston, but I feel as though the home team has the advantage in this one. I like the Celtics to knock off the Bulls and go eight for their last nine, bringing a positive vibe into the second half of the season for a team that desperately needs it. Take the home favorite giving points, but not the over, 89-84.

Source: ESPN

THE BANGED UP SPURS TAKE ON THE BULLS

by ODDSFATHER STAFF

The Bulls play their first home game in two weeks when the Spurs continue their long road trip Monday in Chicago.

Line: Chicago -2, Total: 190

San Antonio is 2-1 (SU and ATS) so far on its annual rodeo road trip, crushing Brooklyn 111-86 on Sunday thanks to a 59% FG clip and just five turnovers. The Bulls are in the midst of a brutal stretch of schedule that has them playing 10 road games in a 12-game stretch, with the only two tilts at United Center coming against the No. 1 seeds in each conference, San Antonio and Miami. The Bulls are just 4-4 (SU and ATS) in their past eight games, but they did upset Utah 93-89 on Friday to finish off their road trip. And they are also 4-1 (SU and ATS) in the past five meetings with the Spurs, winning two straight home meetings by 8.5 PPG. Both teams have multiple key injuries, as San Antonio PF Tim Duncan (knee) and SG Manu Ginobili (hamstring) are both doubtful, while Chicago will definitely be without PG Kirk Hinrich (arm), with SG Marco Belinelli (foot) questionable for this game.

The Bulls have been horrible on their home floor this season with an NBA-worst 7-19 ATS mark (27%). The Spurs have been the league’s fifth-best road wager at 16-12 ATS (57%). And even if Duncan and Ginobili don’t play, this team has won 12 of its past 13 games thanks mostly to PG Tony Parker who should dominate the Derrick Rose-less Bulls. San Antonio is 25-10 ATS (71%) in the past two seasons when facing teams with a win pct. between 51% and 60%, including 14-4 ATS (78%) in the second half of the season. And in the past three seasons, the Spurs are 19-4 ATS (83%) on the road where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points.

San Antonio’s offense has been extremely efficient all season with 104.4 PPG (4th in NBA), 48.8% FG (2nd in league) and an NBA-leading 25.1 APG. The Spurs also pace the league with 103.7 PPG on 47.6% FG away from home. So far on this road trip, the team is averaging 108.0 PPG on 50% FG in the three games. Star PG Tony Parker (20.7 PPG, 7.7 APG) is having a phenomenal season, and is averaging 25.3 PPG on 58% FG with 9.5 APG in the past 11 contests, scoring at least 19 points in every game. And despite the Bulls being a great defensive franchise, Parker has posted 17.8 PPG on 52% FG with 6.4 APG in 20 career meetings with Chicago. With Duncan (17.3 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.7 BPG) and Ginobili (12.5 PPG, 4.5 APG, 3.7 RPG) both out, C Tiago Splitter (10.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG) is the next highest scorer for the Spurs. He has 15 straight games of 10+ points, averaging 13.5 PPG on a whopping 63% FG, plus 8.0 RPG during this stretch. SG Danny Green (10.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG) has caught fire, scoring 17.8 PPG on 62% FG (63% threes) in the past five games. SF Kawhi Leonard (9.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG) is also starting to find a groove in his past nine contests, averaging 13.2 PPG (17-of-36 threes) and 6.7 RPG during this stretch. But PG Gary Neal (9.6 PPG) has shot terribly in his past 11 games, averaging 6.8 PPG on 33% FG and 10-of-37 threes (27%).

Chicago boasts the third-best scoring defense in the NBA (91.7 PPG) and also ranks third in FG Pct. defense (43.3% FG). However, these numbers have risen to 109.3 PPG and 53% FG in the past three games. But the offense has been decent during this road trip with 96.0 PPG, which is considerably higher than its 93.3 PPG before the long journey. The scoring is led by SF Luol Deng (17.0 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.1 APG), but he’s been underperforming since returning from a hamstring injury, averaging a mere 15.1 PPG on 36% FG in the past seven games. He’s also shot a low percentage (41%) when facing the Spurs since 2010. PF Carlos Boozer (15.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG) missed the first three games of this road trip due to a hamstring injury, but after playing sparingly (22.5 MPG) in his first two games back, Boozer logged 32 minutes in Friday’s win at Utah, scoring 19 points. With PG Kirk Hinrich (7.0 PPG, 5.2 APG) out indefinitely with an arm injury, PG Nate Robinson (11.9 PPG, 4.0 APG) has stepped up his game in the starting role, averaging 16.6 PPG (14-of-26 threes) and 8.6 APG in the past five games, logging 38.8 MPG in these contests. With SG Marco Belinelli (9.7 PPG) bothered by an ankle injury, Chicago is impatiently waiting for SG Richard Hamilton (10.7 PPG) to heat up. Hamilton has not surpassed 10 points in any of his past nine games, averaging a paltry 6.6 PPG on 36% FG.

Source: Statfox

NBA BETTING FOR SUNDAY: SPURS (39-12) VS. NETS (29-21)

by LUCAS COMBS

Last Meeting: 12/31 – The Spurs crushed the Nets in San Antonio, 104-73.

When: Sunday, February 10^th at 5PM PT

Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

The Match-Up

The San Antonio Spurs head to Brooklyn to face the Nets Sunday and Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli could be sitting out for the second straight game. Duncan and Ginobli sat out Friday’s game versus the Pistons, and subsequently, the Spurs fell 119-109, snapping an 11 game winning streak. It’s questionable if either Duncan or Ginobli will be able to go versus the Nets.

The Brooklyn Nets have had a rough schedule recently and are just 2-3 straight up in their last 5 contests. Brooke Lopez struggled in Friday’s road loss to the Wizards, tallying 13 points on just 3/11 shooting from the field.

Betting Information

The Nets have also struggled against the spread lately, going 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games. Brooklyn is a meager 22-26 ATS overall this season (11-14 ATS at home) and just 8-15 ATS against teams with winning records.

The Spurs have won 11 out of their last 12 games straight up and are 6-5-1 ATS during that stretch. San Antonio is 28-21 ATS this season (15-12 ATS on the road). The Spurs are also an impressive 15-6 ATS versus non-conference opponents.

Concerning the total, Brooklyn is 28-22 Under (14-13 Under at home) and San Antonio is 28-23 Under (15-12 Over in road games). The Nets are 5-1 Under in Sunday games this season and 13-4 Under versus teams that score 99 points or more per game (which San Antonio does).

Subway Two-Way

ESPN published an article (OK, “blogged”) about play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico calling two games in the same day. Tirico will call the Knicks-Clippers game at 1PM and then hop on a subway to Brooklyn and call the Nets-Spurs game at 8PM (Eastern times). Poor Tirico. You mean, he’s actually going to have to work more than a few hours in a single day? Oh no, that’s not the issue.

The issue is over whether or not he gets seen on the subway. What is Tirico? Some secret agent for the President? Tirico is calling NBA games, but what he’s really doing is delivering sophisticated codes in his play-by-play diction to keep the country safe from those terrorist 5 year old floor wipers. Really!? He’s a play-by-play announcer. No one is going to attack him on the subway or crowd around for his autograph. Lets pray, however, Tirico doesn’t get curb stomped because then ESPN might have to call on… Bill Walton. Oh dear god.

Injury Report

Source: ESPN, NBC SPORTS

NBA: CLIPPERS (35-16) AT MIAMI (32-14)

by LUCAS COMBS

Last Meeting: 11/14 – The Clippers defeated the Heat in LA, 107-100.

Line Movement

When: Friday, February 8^th at 5PM PT

Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida

The Match-Up

Lebron James and Dwayne Wade combined for 63 points Wednesday as the Heat held off a streaking Houston Rockets squad 114-106. Chris Paul (knee bruise), Chauncey Billups (ACL), Jamal Crawford (sore shoulder) and Blake Griffin (hamstring) are all listed as questionable for the Clippers Friday. That means the “other” LA basketball team could be without (what looks like) their four best players against arguably the best team in the league. The Clippers snapped a 3 game losing skid Wednesday in Orlando, winning 86-76.

Betting Information

Against the spread, Miami is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games and has only lost two games in nearly a month. The Heat are 5-2 ATS against Pacific division opponents, but 22-24 ATS overall (12-11 ATS at home). The LA Clippers are 12-7 ATS versus teams with winning records but 12-14 ATS on the road (28-23 ATS overall). LA is 1-3 ATS in their last 4 games.

Concerning the total, Miami is 24-22 Under (12-11 Over at home) and the Clippers are 26-24 Over (14-12 Under on the road). LA is 10-3 Over versus teams that score 99 points or more.

“We’ve got to get healthy”

Chris Paul expects this year’s Clippers squad to win a championship. But the Clippers won’t sniff a championship, unless the Clippers get healthy.

Injury Report

Source: Sports Illustrated

DAILY FREE PICK: SUNS VS. WARRIORS

by ODDSFATHER STAFF

The Warriors have won 3 in a row (covering in 2 out of those 3 games) and have covered in 6 out of their last 9 games. They’ve been a team rewarding bettors this year, going 26-19 ATS.

The Suns have been on the opposite end of the spectrum going 21-25-1 ATS on the year. The Suns have lost 3 out of their last 4 games straight up (going 1-2-1 ATS during this stretch).

Even with the Warriors’ best player, Stephen Curry, not in action – the Warriors should still roll over the Suns. Curry’s replacement Klay Thompson played amazing during their last game, going 11-18 from the floor, 3-7 from the 3-point land, putting up 27 points.

Injury Report

Free Pick: ...click here to find out!

NASH AND THE LAKE-SHOW TRAVEL TO THE PHOENIX

by ODDSFATHER STAFF

After a perfect homestand, the Lakers begin a seven-game road trip on Wednesday at struggling Phoenix. This game will be the first for Steve Nash against his former Suns team.

Line: Los Angeles -2.5, Total: 202.5

Los Angeles was 3-0 SU (2-1 ATS) on its just-completed homestead, crushing the Jazz 102-84 on Friday, taking down the Thunder 105-96 on Sunday and then outlasting the Hornets 111-106 on Tuesday. Since a four-game win streak in mid-December, the Suns are a dreadful 4-15 SU (8-10-1 ATS). This includes a brutal 2-6 (SU and ATS) home mark during this slide. Although the Lakers are 11-5 SU in the past 16 meetings between these clubs, they lost both trips to Phoenix last season by double-digits, falling by 20 points and 12 points. L.A. is also in the midst of a seven-game SU road losing skid (1-6 ATS). The Lakers have a horrible road record this season at 5-15 SU (6-14 ATS), but the Suns are just 8-14 ATS at home. And during their win streak, they have dominated the glass with a +10.7 RPG margin. The Suns have a minus-3.1 RPG for the season, the sixth-worst mark in the NBA. Phoenix also struggles versus good offenses in the past two seasons, going 8-19 ATS (30%) versus teams scoring 99+ PPG. And the club has also failed to revenge road losses in this same timeframe, going 9-27 ATS (25%) in this scenario.

NBA Lines for L.A Lakers and Phoenix Suns

The Lakers defense has been abysmal this season, allowing 101.1 PPG (5th-worst in NBA), but they have surrendered 100 points just twice in the past nine games. During this span, opponents have just 97.2 PPG on 44.3% FG and 29.8% threes. But offensively, L.A. has posted 102.6 PPG (6th-best in the NBA) while grabbing 45.0 RPG (3rd in league). SG Kobe Bryant (28.4 PPG, 3rd in NBA) is shooting a career-best 46.9% FG and has not scored fewer than 14 points in any of his 45 games this season. But during his team’s three-game surge, he has focused more in other areas, averaging 13.0 APG and 8.7 RPG to go along with 16.3 PPG on 59% FG. In the lone meeting with Phoenix on Nov. 16, Bryant had a game-high 31 points (10-of-24 FG, 10-of-11 FT) and dished out six assists. C Dwight Howard (16.7 PPG) leads the NBA with 11.8 RPG and his 2.5 BPG rank fifth in the league. He had been struggling with just 8.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 1.2 BPG during a five-game stretch before exploding for 24 points on 9-of-13 FG in Tuesday’s win. He also had 18 points, 12 boards and four blocks in the Nov. 16 victory over the Suns. PG Steve Nash (11.5 PPG, 8.0 APG) returns to the building where he spent 10 seasons over two different stints with the team, winning MVP Awards in 2005 and 2006. Nash has shot a blistering 59% FG (6-of-10 threes) during L.A.’s win streak. PF Pau Gasol (12.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG) has started to play better offensively with 15.2 PPG and 7.2 RPG over his past six games, but is just 8-for-18 (44%) from the foul line in the past three contests. He was one of the five double-digit scorers in the Nov. 16 win over Phoenix, pitching in 16 points, 10 rebounds and a +12 rating. SF Metta World Peace (13.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG) scored 22 points in that game, making 5-of-10 threes and adding six rebounds. New starting SF Earl Clark is coming off a double-double with 20 points and 12 boards in Tuesday’s victory.

NBA Injuries for L.A. Lakers and Phoenix Suns

Phoenix scores a mediocre 95.6 PPG (18th in NBA) and allows 99.8 PPG (22nd in NBA) on 46.7% FG (2nd-worst in league). The good thing about the Suns is that they have great balance with six players averaging at least 10 PPG. PG Goran Dragic (14.2 PPG, 6.3 APG) leads the team in scoring and notched a hefty 22 points with seven assists in the loss to L.A. earlier this season. PF Luis Scola (13.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG) had 18 points and eight boards in that defeat, but he’s been cold in the past two games, making just 9-of-23 shots (39%). SG Jared Dudley (12.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG) has been erratic in the past four games, scoring 8, 3, 23 and 9 points (3-of-9 FG) in Sunday’s loss. PG Shannon Brown (11.9 PPG) has also been slumping with just 6.3 PPG in his past three games, but he’s averaged a mere 16.0 MPG during this stretch. C Martin Gortat (11.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG) did very little against the Lakers huge frontcourt on Nov. 16, scoring just six points in 28 minutes of action. But he did grab eight boards that game, and has 9.3 RPG in his past three contests. SF Michael Beasley (10.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG) has started to assert himself offensively with 18.5 PPG in the past two games.

Source: Statfox, ESPN