Steve Merril's NBA Fullcourt Report

Thursday, Jan 5.

We are now entering the third month of the NBA season and
injuries are beginning to play a major role. Tonight's two
national TV games are a perfect example as key players are
either 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 a 5 ½ point underdog 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 had scored 100+ points and only the
second time they 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 ppg. 

The Rockets continue to play 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 rpg) and blocks (1.4
bpg). 

Cleveland is coming off a big win last night at Milwaukee,
91-84, in which the Cavaliers overcame a five-point deficit
heading 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 ppg) and steals (1.5 spg) and third
on the squad in assists (3.9 apg). 

The Cavaliers have now gone 8-1 SU/ATS over their past nine
games, with six of those eight wins coming at home. This is no
surprise as Cleveland has been extremely strong at home this
season, going 13-3 SU (12-4 ATS). 

 INDIANA at GOLDEN STATE (-8) (TNT) 

The Pacers are struggling since their 5-1 SU/ATS run in
mid-December and they have gone just 1-5 SU/ATS over their past
six games, including a 106-86 loss at Denver last night. Indiana
was short-handed 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 rpg), and blocks (2.3 bpg). Tinsley is questionable this
evening with a biceps injury and he leads the team in assists
(5.4 apg) and steals (1.5 spg) and is third in scoring (11.5
ppg). 

Golden State has been a very streaky team this season and after
a 0-5 SU run in mid-December, they have since gone 3-1 SU over
the past four games. The Warriors have struggled on defense and
they have allowed 48% FG or higher in ten of their past eleven
games. 

Golden State is likely without one of their best defenders
tonight as center Adonal Foyle is unlikely to play due to back
problems. Foyle averages 23.3 minutes per game and leads the
squad in blocks (1.7 bpg). 

Home court has been strong in this series, with the home team
going 6-1 SU/ATS the past four years, including a perfect 2-0
SU/ATS last season.