NBA Spreads: Washington Wizards at New Orleans Hornets
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The New Orleans Hornets will look to snap a short two-game losing streak when they host the Washington Wizards Tuesday night. This will be final time these two teams play each other. New Orleans won the first matchup 92-81 at Washington.
The Wizards extended their road losing streak to 24 after falling to the Mavericks 102-92 last night. Washington was down just four with two minutes to go, but their inability to close games cost them once again.
The Hornets fell 102-96 at Sacramento on Saturday, and then followed that up with a tough 104-102 loss at Phoenix on Sunday. New Orleans had won 10 straight before losing to the Kings.
Taking a look at the NBA spreads for tonight’s game, oddsmakers have the Hornets favored by 9.5-points over the Wizards with the total set at 188.5.
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While the Wizards kept it close against the Mavericks, they shot just 39.5% from the field, while allowing Dallas to hit 47.9%. John Wall finished with 17 points and 10 assists, but the rest of the team had just eight assists combined.
Nick Young and Rashard Lewis led the way with 18 points a piece, while Andray Blatche had 16 points and a team-high 13 rebounds. Yi Jianlian came off the bench to score 14 points on 6-12 shooting, and the Wizards have to hope they see more out of Jianlian as the season goes on. Javale McGee returned from injury, but played just 13 minutes off the bench.
The Hornets suffered a big loss defensively in their last game against the Suns. Emeka Okafor went out just before half with a strained oblique muscle, and isn’t expected to play tonight against the Wizards. Okafor had 17 points and 15 rebounds against Washington earlier this season, and will be tough to replace.
Chris Paul had a game high 26-points to go along with his team-high 12 assists in the loss to Phoenix, David West added 17 and Trevor Ariza had 16. David Anderson scored six points and grab six boards in 18 minutes filling in for Okafor.
New Orleans has been so successful lately because of their defense, but it hasn’t been so good in their last two. New Orleans allowed the Kings to shoot 50% on Saturday, and then allowed the Suns to shoot 48% on Sunday. Now with Okafor out, it will be even harder defensively.
Still the Hornets are 19-5 at home this season, and 10-1 against teams from the Eastern Conference. Washington is playing their fourth road game in the last five days, and are playing the second night of a back-to-back. Even with Okafor out I think you have to take the Hornets at home in this one.
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