Two full months into the NBA season and injuries continue to play a role. Below is a look at three games on Tuesday night’s card where key players could be out of the lineup.
DETROIT (-3½) at PHILADELPHIA
The Pistons will most likely be without their starting point guard again tonight, as Chauncey Billups is questionable with a sprained ankle. Billups has missed the last three games and Detroit is just 1-2 SU/ATS during that span. Billups leads the team in assists (8.1 apg) and steals (1.3 spg) and is second on the team in scoring (18.0 ppg).
The Sixers have started to play better basketball since Andre Miller and Joe Smith were acquired from Denver in the Allen Iverson trade. The Sixers are 5-2-1 ATS in eight games with Miller and Smith in the lineup (Smith missed the Lakers’ game on Dec. 31).
Philadelphia returns home from a season-high seven-game road trip and will be well-rested with three days off. The team will most likely be without forward Chris Webber, who has missed the last five games with a foot injury. Webber leads the team in rebounding (8.3 rpg), but ranks fourth on the team in scoring (11.0 ppg).
PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO (-11)
The Spurs snapped their three-game losing streak with an easy 110-96 win at Memphis on Sunday, even though their starting point guard, Tony Parker, was out with a strained hip. Parker is questionable tonight and leads the team in assists (5.9 ppg) and is second in points (19.7 ppg).
San Antonio has dominated this series, going 11-1 SU (9-3 ATS) over the past twelve games with plenty of blowout victories. San Antonio won both home games by margins of 20 and 21 points last year.
THE LAKERS (-2½, 225½) at MEMPHIS
Despite being without second-leading scorer Lamar Odom in the last fourteen games, the Lakers are still a solid 11-3 ATS during that span, including a 101-98 upset win against Dallas on Sunday.
The Lakers’ frontcourt has been decimated by injuries this season, as their three big men are currently out with injuries. Lamar Odom leads the team in rebounding (8.7 rpg) and is second in scoring (17.5 ppg), while Kwame Brown is second on the team in rebounding (6.6 rpg) and fifth in scoring (8.7 ppg). ). Both starters will be out for at least another week, along with center Chris Mihm, who will be out for the season.
The lack of depth up front has led to more playing time for rookie Andrew Bynum, who has posted a double-double (points and rebounds) in two of his last three games.
STEVE MERRIL is a professional sports handicapper and a documented member of The Professional Handicappers League. Get your Premium plays here.