I have backed the Kings a few times of late and things did not exactly work out. But at this price in this spot I'll take my chances once again on Tyreke Evans and a team that I truly believe is a little better than the terrible 7-25 record indicates.
Evans is a stud point guard who has been playing at a very high level despite the injury issue, which may have to sideline him for awhile if he goes under the knife. I also don't mind Jason Thompson, Omri Casspi and a few of the other guys who call Arco their home court. I'm not crazy and do understand they are stil a bad NBA team that is well inferior talent-wise to Denver but the Nuggets just played last night at Staples against the Clippers and are on the ever tough back-to-back with travel against the more rested team in their own building. To lay a handful in this spot is just not the way to go as the fatigue factor is clearly to our advantage.
Carmelo is great, Chauncey and Nene and a few others are tough to guard as well but in the end the Kings are playing a little better and at home as this dog are the right side. Sacramento missed a three and failed to cover by half a point against the Hawks on Tuesday and before that won and covered two of the previous three. These guys have been playing a little better defense of late, obviously that's relative, and overall have performed a lot better in the past week plus.
Denver may be too good and walk off the court as the winner but playing for a second straight night with travel will make this thing a lot more competitive than some chalk eaters would like and therefore I'm fine with this home dog.
Free pick: Sacramento against the NBA spread
For more information: Three of four winning days and about to be four of five. Ray Allen missing two free throws in the waning seconds and the Celtics somehow blowing a 9 point lead in the final minute and not covering 2 ½ is a horrific beat. It happens. I still feel great and have three Thursday plays that are going to absolutely knock that Crookie out. 400,000* MTSU-Miami O on the gridiron along with a pair of monster 300,000* on the hardwoods in Northwestern-Illinois and Villanova-South Florida. Rivers premium card is up