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Monday, February 9
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Pick 'n' Roll: Monday's best NBA bets
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Los Angeles Clippers at Charlotte Bobcats (-2, 195.5)
Ravaged by more injuries, the Bobcats (19-31) can use a third straight win over the Clippers while looking to bounce back from a 96-92 loss at Miami on Sunday.
Rookie D.J. Augustin had 27 points and six assists in his second game since missing 10 with an abdominal injury for the Bobcats, who allowed Miami to shoot a season-high 56.0 percent from the field.
The Bobcats will again be without starters Gerald Wallace (rib, lung) and Raja Bell (groin), who are expected to return after the All-Star break.
"I think before Gerald and D.J. got hurt we were making unbelievable progress," said Bobcats coach Larry Brown, whose team is averaging 89.6 points during the losing stretch. "But I think after the All-Star break, everything will sort out and I believe we'll go in the right direction."
Forward Vladimir Radmanovic could make his Charlotte debut after coming over in a deal Saturday that sent underachieving former first-round pick Adam Morrison and reserve guard Shannon Brown to the Los Angeles Lakers. The 6-foot-10 forward was added to the active roster before Sunday's game but was unable to play since the Lakers did not complete physicals for Morrison and Brown.
Radmanovic will be the 23rd player to dress for the Bobcats this season - an NBA high.
Pick: Los Angeles +2
Houston Rockets at Milwaukee Bucks (+6.5, 196)
The Houston Rockets have struggled defensively over the last three weeks. They've had little trouble in that area, however, when they've faced the Milwaukee Bucks lately.
Houston looks to win its ninth straight over the Bucks when the teams meet at the Bradley Center on Monday night.
The Rockets (31-20) finally turned in another strong defensive performance Sunday, beating Minnesota 107-90. Houston held the Timberwolves to 39.8 percent shooting and outrebounded them 51-39 to win for the third time in four games.
The Rockets gave up their lowest point total since a 93-86 victory over Miami on Jan. 17. Houston started to have problems at the defensive end after that, giving up 102.2 points and 46.9 percent shooting over the following nine games - going 5-4 in that span - before knocking off Minnesota.
"The defense still needs some improvement, but overall it was good," said Rafer Alston, who had 22 points and six assists Sunday. "We turned it up. It wasn't a good start in the first quarter ... but as the game progressed, we gradually got better defensively and we were able to put them away."
Now Houston will look to tighten up the defense on the road, as it's given up at least 104 points in its last four away games - going 1-3 in that span.
The Rockets have had few problems at the defensive end during their eight-game win streak against Milwaukee. They've held the Bucks to 85.8 points during the run, and won the last meeting 85-81 on Dec. 31 - when the Bucks had Andrew Bogut, Michael Redd and Luke Ridnour in the lineup. None of the three injured players will be in uniform Monday.
The Rockets haven't lost to the Bucks since falling 115-87 on Dec. 28, 2004 in Milwaukee. They've won three times at the Bradley Center since.
Pick: Over 196
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Monday, February 9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pick 'n' Roll: Monday's best NBA bets
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Los Angeles Clippers at Charlotte Bobcats (-2, 195.5)
Ravaged by more injuries, the Bobcats (19-31) can use a third straight win over the Clippers while looking to bounce back from a 96-92 loss at Miami on Sunday.
Rookie D.J. Augustin had 27 points and six assists in his second game since missing 10 with an abdominal injury for the Bobcats, who allowed Miami to shoot a season-high 56.0 percent from the field.
The Bobcats will again be without starters Gerald Wallace (rib, lung) and Raja Bell (groin), who are expected to return after the All-Star break.
"I think before Gerald and D.J. got hurt we were making unbelievable progress," said Bobcats coach Larry Brown, whose team is averaging 89.6 points during the losing stretch. "But I think after the All-Star break, everything will sort out and I believe we'll go in the right direction."
Forward Vladimir Radmanovic could make his Charlotte debut after coming over in a deal Saturday that sent underachieving former first-round pick Adam Morrison and reserve guard Shannon Brown to the Los Angeles Lakers. The 6-foot-10 forward was added to the active roster before Sunday's game but was unable to play since the Lakers did not complete physicals for Morrison and Brown.
Radmanovic will be the 23rd player to dress for the Bobcats this season - an NBA high.
Pick: Los Angeles +2
Houston Rockets at Milwaukee Bucks (+6.5, 196)
The Houston Rockets have struggled defensively over the last three weeks. They've had little trouble in that area, however, when they've faced the Milwaukee Bucks lately.
Houston looks to win its ninth straight over the Bucks when the teams meet at the Bradley Center on Monday night.
The Rockets (31-20) finally turned in another strong defensive performance Sunday, beating Minnesota 107-90. Houston held the Timberwolves to 39.8 percent shooting and outrebounded them 51-39 to win for the third time in four games.
The Rockets gave up their lowest point total since a 93-86 victory over Miami on Jan. 17. Houston started to have problems at the defensive end after that, giving up 102.2 points and 46.9 percent shooting over the following nine games - going 5-4 in that span - before knocking off Minnesota.
"The defense still needs some improvement, but overall it was good," said Rafer Alston, who had 22 points and six assists Sunday. "We turned it up. It wasn't a good start in the first quarter ... but as the game progressed, we gradually got better defensively and we were able to put them away."
Now Houston will look to tighten up the defense on the road, as it's given up at least 104 points in its last four away games - going 1-3 in that span.
The Rockets have had few problems at the defensive end during their eight-game win streak against Milwaukee. They've held the Bucks to 85.8 points during the run, and won the last meeting 85-81 on Dec. 31 - when the Bucks had Andrew Bogut, Michael Redd and Luke Ridnour in the lineup. None of the three injured players will be in uniform Monday.
The Rockets haven't lost to the Bucks since falling 115-87 on Dec. 28, 2004 in Milwaukee. They've won three times at the Bradley Center since.
Pick: Over 196
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