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NBA Sunday: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets
Around this time last week I wrote a preview of a Rockets game. In the story I mentioned that the Rockets lost Yao Ming, and would be lucky if they could keep their winning streak going. This week they have kept the streak going at 18 wins in a row. The streak is already among the best in the history of the NBA. Despite the overwhelming success there are still critiques out there that have said the Rockets haven’t beat anybody special. When the Lakers come to town they will get a chance to prove that this streak hasn’t been a fluke. I personally don’t know how winning 18 games could be considered a fluke, but some do. Before the Rockets play the Lakers they do have a couple games against the Nets and the Hawks, but I feel the streak will be at 20 when the Lakers come to town. However, I could be putting my foot in my mouth when I say that. Hopefully Tracy McGrady, and his 22 points per game will keep my prediction in tact.
The Lakers are one of the best teams in the league, and they aren’t even at full strength yet. The trade for Pau Gasol has been a major factor of the recent success, but when they get emerging center Andrew Bynum back to the lineup they will have arguably the best front court, and the best backcourt player in the league, Kobe Bryant. The Lakers have won eight of the last ten, and their schedule has been arguably tougher than the Rockets during their winning streak.
This game is so hard to predict. I lean slightly towards the Rockets because they are at home, but the Lakers have one of the best road records in the league, as well. This game will have a playoffs atmosphere in it, and could indeed be a preview of a future match up in the playoffs.
NBA Sunday: Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat
The Dallas Mavericks are currently in the middle of a slide, losing five of their last ten. Now, if the Miami Heat had won five out of their last ten it would have been considered an improvement. However, the Mavericks are expected to be in the running for an NBA finals appearance, but at the current time they are sliding down the standings. In the incredibly tough Western Conference even losing two or three in a row can take you out of the playoff running. The Mavericks have so much to play for, but they have to end the slide to be taken seriously among the talks of the best teams in the country.
The Miami Heat should probably just be happy that any of their games are even on television anymore. To be fair, a large majority of their problems have been caused by injuries, but while the Mavericks have had a recent slide, the Heat’s entire season has been a slide. The Heat are 11-50 this year, and currently 27 ½ games behind the Orlando Magic in the Southeast Standings.
I don’t think I’ll be saying anything too shocking when I predict the Mavericks to win this game. I feel Jason Kidd will be able to handle any kind of defensive pressure his old Eastern Conference rivals could throw at him. This game might just be the medicine the doctor ordered to get the Mavericks back on track. The Heat have played tough all year, but playing with only seven players for a good portion of the season, they don’t have what it takes to close the show at the end of the game.
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