NBA injuries have been a bigger problem than normal due to the lockout, with the shortened training camps and condensed 66-game regular season schedule.
We’re focusing on the key injuries for Sunday and Monday. One player not featured is Miami’s Dwyane Wade (ankle). He was expected to miss his third straight game Saturday night versus Philly and the Heat also host Milwaukee on Sunday. The team is a perfect 5-0 straight up and against the spread without Wade, 5-4 SU and 2-7 ATS with him.
Rajon Rondo, Boston at Washington – 1:00 p.m. (ET) Sunday
Boston (5-9 SU, 6-8 ATS) learned what life is like without Rondo (wrist) on Friday, losing 79-71 to Phoenix as 6½-point home favorites. Avery Bradley started with backup Keyon Dooling (knee) also sidelined. Both Rondo and Dooling are questionable Sunday. The Celtics are also dealing with trade rumors at 1-6 SU and ATS in their last seven. The ‘under’ is 7-0-1 in the last eight.
The Wizards (2-13 SU, 5-10 ATS) have the NBA’s worst record. However, the last two games have been home covers, beating Oklahoma City (105-102) and just losing barely to Denver (108-104). Those are two of the better teams in the Western Conference. The Wizards’ recent offensive outburst has helped the ‘over’ go 5-0.
Two of Boston’s five wins have come against Washington. Those split 1-1 ATS with the Celtics winning 94-86 as 7-point favorites in the nation’s capital on New Year’s Day.
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers hosting Toronto – 3:30 p.m. (ET) Sunday
The Clippers (8-5 SU, 7-6 ATS) have been without Paul (hamstring) the last four games and he’s questionable Sunday. They’re 2-2 SU and ATS without the exciting point guard, most recently losing 101-98 at home to Minnesota on Friday night. Starting forward Caron Butler (knee) also missed that game and he’s questionable as well.
Toronto (4-12 SU, 8-8 ATS) has its own injury problems with center Andrea Bargnani (calf) missing the last five games and the team losing seven straight overall (3-4 ATS). Bargnani’s (22.3 PPG) is really needed as the Raptors rank just 29th in scoring (85.1 PPG), with the ‘under’ 11-4-1 on the year.
Toronto has covered the last six games against the Clippers (5-1 SU). The ‘under’ is 5-1.
Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando at Boston – 7:30 p.m. (ET) Monday
This is the first half of an NBA-TV doubleheader. Orlando’s Turkoglu (back) is questionable after missing the last two games. Scoring has been down without him with an 85-83 (OT) loss to San Antonio on Wednesday and 92-80 win over the Lakers on Friday. The ‘under’ was 3-0 in the Magic’s just completed, mini-homestand.
Orlando (11-4 SU, 9-6 ATS) is 4-0 SU and ATS in its last four road games, plus gets the aging and injured Celtics in the second half of a back-to-back.
Derrick Rose, Chicago hosting New Jersey – 8:00 p.m. (ET) Monday
Chicago is 14-3 SU and 11-6 ATS pending Saturday night’s result against Charlotte. Rose was listed as doubtful with his toe injury after missing the prior three games (Chicago 2-1 SU and ATS). The offense has exploded for 116 PPG the last two with C.J. Watson (38 total points) starting at point guard.
The Nets (4-11 SU, 7-8 ATS) will be playing the third game of a back-to-back-to-back on Monday. They had home games on Saturday night versus Oklahoma City and Sunday against Charlotte. This is already a team in turmoil with center Brook Lopez (foot) missing the whole season so far and star guard Deron Williams looking for an exit strategy.
Stephen Curry, Golden State hosting Memphis – 10:30 p.m. (ET) Monday
This is the second half of the NBA-TV doubleheader. Golden State (5-10 SU, 7-8 ATS) last played Friday at home, losing 94-91 to Indiana as 1-point ‘dogs. Curry (ankle) returned after missing eight games (Golden State 3-5 SU, 4-4 ATS), but was held to just 12 points on 5-of-15 shooting. He will play Monday and should work his way back into shape.
Memphis (8-6 SU, 7-7 ATS) has a Saturday home game with Sacramento before flying out to the West Coast to begin a 4-game trip. The Grizzlies have won 5-straight (4-1 ATS) pending Saturday’s final. Rudy Gay is averaging 21.8 PPG over that span, compensating for the loss of power forward Zach Randolph (knee), who’s out indefinitely after getting injured 10 games ago.