Alright, we have a Hornet's game tonight. 
More like,
because watching the Hornets play is about as enjoyable as watching 2 girls 1 cup with your 7 year old daughter beside you.
Anyways, here are my thoughts on the game:
This is the 3rd game 4 nights for the Hornets. They dropped 2 straight on back to back nights while travelling through Sacramento and Utah, which now makes that 3 in a row. They went 1-1 ATS, covering on the second night in Utah (-6.5 spread). Utah likely should have covered this game they missed a few baskets in the final 3 minutes of the game that would have truly put it out of reach. Instead, the Hornets were able to keep it close only because Utah helped them out. New Orleans just does not have the offensive weapons to keep up with an offense that can actually put up some points. Utah is not one of these teams.
Tonight we have a spread that opened up at 3.5 and has since moved to around 5.5. A high percentage of the bets are being placed on Philadelphia which is always a cause for concern. Eric Gordon may or may not play, if anyone finds out more information, please post it here.
Matchup wise:
Elton Brand vs. Carl Landry
I expect this to be a battle. Both are physical bigs, Brand has a little bit more of an offensive arsenal, but Landry is active and can score the ball. I expect both of these guys to be at the free throw line. If one of them gets into early foul trouble it will be a severe disadvantage for both teams as each of their respective backups doesn't bring much to the table. Jason Smith (New Orleans) doesn't have much of an inside game but likes to shoot the outside jumper. Kind of streaky from what I've seen, but if he's on, he can hit them at a good clip.
At the 5 spot, we have Spencer Hawes vs. Emeka Okafor, White vs. Black. Shooter vs. Shot blocker. Whatever you may call it. Okafor rebounds, defends, blocks shots, and shoots ill-advised outside jumpers.Hawes' will be able to play against Okafor in the sense that he can open up the key for their guards because of his outside touch. He has a smooth stroke for a 7'1 center and if New Orleans centers get sucked in to overplaying help defense, Hawes' will knock down that open jumper. Okafor's backup, Chris 'the caveman' Kaman, brings a weak game to the floor each night. I don't know what wrong with this guy. In LA he must have had some great cocaine because he played with a lot more energy and focus. With the Hornets, he brings a poor man's version of big man who is relied on too much to score the ball.
The 3 spot brings about a matchup between Igoudala and/or Ariza/Aminu. Both Ariza and Aminu are solid slashers who are long and can defend. Igoudala is a very capable player himself. I would give a slight edge to Igoudala only because he has the experience in Philadelphia's offensive system. Ariza may or may not play tonight, which gives heed to the young Aminu who I was impressed with last season with the Clippers. The problem with Aminu as I've stated before, he isn't getting consistent minutes game in and game out. I know it's early in the season, but he had a definitive role in LA. Now he is tossed out there at random times. Tough to play in that kind of situation.
We have a shooting guard match up that is slightly up in the air right now. Eric Gordon will likely play tonight (my guess is that he was good to play in their last game, but they gave him the extra rest for the home game tonight). If he is in there, expect him to be their main offensive weapon as his backup, Marco Belinelli, looks like he participated in the same off-season workouts as Brandon Jennings. Don't get me wrong, Belinelli can score the ball, but he looks out of sync right now. He is always a liability on defense, and although he can rebound, he has not been taking good shots on offense. The 76ers put out Jodi Meeks in the SG spot, a career 37% 3 point shooter. He and Evan Turner round out a pretty offensively gifted 76ers roster. Meeks and Turner are the least relied upon to score the ball. Meeks can contain Gordon and I expect him to get a bit more burn than usual tonight. One thing I would also like to note about Eric Gordon is last year when he returned from injury, his output was definitely down from his usual abilities. It was a wrist injury, so obviously that is going to effect ones shot, but I think he is the type of player that needs to be playing game after game to keep everything rolling. With Gordon back, atleast the Hornets have someone to go to offensively other than Landry or Jack.
Speaking of Jarret Jack, how bout his last game? 27 points, 11 dimes, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks? Well done my friend, I'm still trying to figure out how this guy can even see?
He matches up tonight against Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday. Both of which are dynamic guards who are hard to stop on the offensive end of the floor. Jack is an ok defender but is more known for his offensive game. I expect the Hornets to go deep into their bench at the 1 spot, playing both Jack, Vasquez and hometown favorite "Squeaky" Johnson. Either way, definite advantage for the 76ers at the 1 spot.
I'd also like to mention that Holiday, Williams, Turner and Meeks make up a majority of the point guard/shooting guard minutes. They are not truly defined in one spot or the other.
So, we have a well rested Philadelphia team here tonight playing in New Orleans. If the Hornet's are going to grind one out, they will need a very strong night from Landry, Jack and their bench. If Gordon plays, I expect him to do some damage, but nothing too crazy. If Philadelphia can score the ball, this one could get away from New Orleans early.
Best of luck on your plays. I'll be tuning in to this game as I believe this Hornet's team will lead us to GREAT profits soon.
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