December 2 Games
POR @ CHA: A hat-tip to rookie coach Mike Dunlap for making Charlotte more respectable, but their seven wins (matching their total from the entire 2011-12 season) have come mainly when opponents have a letdown. If the Blazers are healthy enough and take this seriously, they have too much of an edge in talent. Damian Lillard should have a good night against Kemba Walker, and the Bobcats have nobody remotely capable of stopping LaMarcus Aldridge, as long as LMA is over some nagging back pain. The matchup of Nicolas Batum vs. rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is also lopsided. One concern for Portland is Wesley Matthews, whose thumb injury — on his shooting hand — has curtailed his scoring for the last three games, though he did hand out 10 assists on Saturday. The second unit, led by Ben Gordon and Ramon Sessions, will be critical for the home team’s chances.
CLE @ DET: The battle for last place in the league’s weakest division may not interest everyone, but fantasy GMs are always looking for numbers, and the Cavs have stepped up their pace, scoring 113 in a shocking road win over Atlanta on Friday, then 117 (in double OT) the next night. Jeremy Pargo has been surprisingly effective as the starting PG since Kyrie Irving (hand) went down, while Anderson Varejao is having an all-star season, averaging 15+ points and 15+ rebounds per game with career highs in AST, STL and FG%. He even played with a badly dislocated finger on Saturday, but faces a tough opponent in Greg Monroe tonight. The Pistons are getting solid play at PG from Brandon Knight, though his AST/TO ratio is still not great. They play much better at home (four straight wins) and were embarrassed in a Memphis-Dallas back-to-back, so I like their chances to bounce back this evening.
MIL @ NOH: Here’s what we think we know, but keep in mind we thought the Magic would lose by 30 yesterday. Anthony Davis (foot) is still out, so Ryan Anderson is the MIH — Most Important Hornet — and Milwaukee has an impossible-to-predict revolving door at PF and C, so Robin Lopez may have another good game. Brook’s brother is averaging career highs in everything that matters. Greivis Vasquez may have his hands full with Brandon Jennings, and New Orleans has nobody who can contain Monta Ellis, giving the Bucks a great chance if Larry Sanders continues his terrific recent play off the bench. Mike Dunleavy (bruised knee) missed Saturday’s game and Tobias Harris was benched, so Marquis Daniels got a rare start at SF and may continue to be a factor.