Friday, January 28

Game Night: New Orleans is Sinking

The Hornets come to town, and the living is easy. After getting slapped by Jim Jackson, the Hornets are so banged up that Dan Dickau is probably their best offensive weapon. Among the missing: Baron Davis, Jamal Magloire, Jamal Mashburn, and Lee Nailon. Something called a Bostjan Nachbar led them in scoring off the bench against Utah the other night, and while I love what he's done for NBA-Scrabble, I'm guessing he's not the answer N.O.'s been looking for.

The Sonics are a week or so away from the trade deadline. Aside from Ray Allen's departure, the lid has been sealed on this cookie jar. No talk about Radman (FA to be), Daniels (FA to be), Jerome (FA to be), etc., etc. While it's possible the trade rumors may be a distraction, I don't buy it. As professional athletes, the Sonics are accustomed to all sorts of nonsense in the press, and they can deal with it without any trouble.

Good Sign: Ray-Ray is healthy and Mac-10 is back in town.
Bad Sign: The Hornets may show up, causing the Sonics to have to break a sweat.

On this date: 1980 - Behind the 22 points of Gus Williams and Jack Sikma's 12 rebounds, the Sonics improved to 41-16 on the season with a 109-94 win over the Sixers in Philly.

Vegas line: Sonics by 13 1/2
Prediction: Sonics 105 - Hornets 95
Record Against the Spread: 14-8

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