NBA 09-10 Season - Looking to Make a Statement
With the NBA season beginning, there are a number of teams that are looking to make a statement, whether its separating from the middle pack or cementing themselves at the top and then there are those who are looking to turn the corner. Here are a couple of teams that should be interesting to watch as the season unfolds.
-Memphis Grizzlies
There has never been a more exciting team to watch in Memphis than this season’s new crew. With the addition of Allen Iverson, ticket sales have gone up, and the grizz have definitely become a more intriguing team to watch this year. The question on many people’s minds is how A.I a true scorer at heart will proceed in leading this young team loaded with scorers and players that are looking to make a name for themselves.
-Portland Trailblazers
Who would have thought the blazers would end up with the third Seed in the Playoffs at the start of the 08/09 season? The true key to success for this team in order for them to get to the next level will rest on the shoulders of Lamarcus Alderidge. Everybody knows that Brandon Roy is the leader on this team but he is not and nor is any one player capable of doing it by themselves in the Wild West. Scouts and Managers have noted Greg Oden’s play in the USA try outs in Vegas this past summer. If he’s capable of protecting the paint really well and Lamarcus steps up, watch out.
-Toronto Raptors
Bryan Colangelo has been more active than ever before this past summer trying to assemble a winning formula that will entice Chris Bosh to stick around. It has always been difficult in the past to land a legitimate Allstar, but with the addition of Hedo Turkoglu, the Raps are a much more promising team this season along with Jarrett Jack who will blossom coming off the bench. Look for Toronto to have a much better season that last year.
For more information on teams looking to make a statement and the latest news on the NBA please visit squidoo.com/alldaynba
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KM_Henderson
http://EzineArticles.com/?NBA-09-10-Season—-Looking-to-Make-a-Statement&id=3193353
NBA Betting Roundup: Iverson’s Grizzlies Debut vs Kings
Allen Iverson makes his debut for the Memphis Grizzlies tonight as he looks to return to the form that made him one of the NBA’s most feared players in one of 5 match-ups tonight.
Memphis Grizzlies (+1.5) at Sacramento Kings (-1.5)
The Memphis Grizzlies are coming off of a 133-123 loss to the Denver Nuggets. In the loss they shot 70 percent on their way to a 40-point first quarter before falling behind 67-66 at half. The Grizzlies defense wasn’t able to get the job done in the third as they lost control.
The Kings play their home opener after starting the season winless on a three-game road trip.
The Kings were never close in their last game against San Antonio and were down by 16 points at the half. Kevin Martin scored 29 points and Spencer Hawes picked up 22 points and 10 rebounds, but they were the only Kings to score into double-figures.
Coming off of yet another injury, Iverson isn’t likely to be much of a factor in this game and the Kings will be pumped up for their home opener.
Houston Rockets (+7.5) at Utah Jazz (-7.5)
Even with injuries to Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, Houston’s offense has looked fast and fearsome. However, the Utah Jazz have been very tough at home going 102-22 since the 2006-07 season and the high elevation is going to make a fast-paced run game more difficult.
The Jazz needed a late rally to down the Los Angeles Clippers 111-98. Utah came in to the season with a commitment to defense but so far have only shown it in the last quarter of the Clippers game where they held the Clippers to just 14 points.
The Rockets are coming off of a 111-107 win over Portland in which Trevor Ariza led the attack with 33 points and Aaron Brooks picked up 28 points and 8 assists.
New Orleans Hornets (-2.5) at New York Knicks (+2.5)
Dreadful starts have been the downfall of the winless New York Knicks this season. The Knicks have been outscored by an average of 17 points in the first quarter of their last two games before coming back with big fourth quarters and forcing overtime only to fall short.
The Hornets are on the second of back-to-back games after falling 97-87 to Boston. Chris Paul led the team with 22 points and 8 assists, but it was his outburst after the game that garnered all of the attention.
Paul chased the Celtics’ Rajon Rondo as the Celtics were heading back to their dressing room angry at some contact between the two and words that were exchanged earlier in the game.
