Sports
New York at New Orleans, 8PM EST
We have an iffy slate of games, with most shaping up as uneven affairs. This contest -- the slouching Knicks visiting the searing Hornets -- seems no different. BUT! there's salvation in them there sneakers.
New Orleans under Byron Scott plays at one of the slowest paces in the league. Under Mike D'Antoni the Knicks, um, do not. Chris Paul on fast forward should be a sight to see; New York has a way of goading its opponent into sprinting, something not all fast-paced teams (like D'Antoni's Suns) can do. That the double-secret strategy called? No shooting defense whatsoever. (The Knicks defense rates outside the bottom 10 because N.Y. rebounds well, gets a decent share of steals and never fouls. But the shot defense is some of the worst you'll ever see outside of Oakland.)
Milwaukee at Washington, 7PM EST
For all the tributes to Milwaukee I have tried to offer, that this is actually a big game for the Bucks is a bit disconcerting. Of late, Milwaukee has had trouble on the road against bad teams, with losses in Charlotte and Minnesota in the past two weeks.
The Wizards are feisty, if nothing else. (Maybe I meant to say "and nothing else.") The Bucks draw an easy week overall: at Washington, vs Miami, at Sacramento, at the Clippers. A win to start things off seems vital.
Toronto at Boston, 7:30PM ESTThe Celtics smoked the Raps at the ACC Sunday afternoon, so a re-run at Banknorth seems probable. But we know Boston isn't infallible, and the coach's reliance on pitiful Glen Davis screams for exploitation by, um, Kris Humphries.
Oklahoma City at New Jersey, 7:30PM EST... featuring a quite complicated group handshake between Nenad Krstic and three Serbian immigrants with baseline tickets.
Portland at Chicago, 8:30PM ESTIndiana at Utah, 9PM EST
Monday's NBA Guide: Chris Paul on Fast Forward, Revenge of Nenad originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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