Game 24 Preview: SA @ New Orleans Hornets

Last night I went to a Christmas party with The Wife.  I planned on watching the TiVoed Spurs game after the party but we got home later than expected.  Knowing I wouldn't have a chance to watch until late Sunday I cracked and checked the result.  And wouldn't you know it, the contest was a close one with an exciting ending now ruined.  So it goes.  

At least I had a good time at the party, which, in my case, is rare.  Mainly because parties tend to have large amounts of people, who, as a general rule, I don't like.  But this party was populated with good folks AND we watched Elf AND somebody made delicious macaroni and cheese.  

It is readily apparent that I live a most glamorous lifestyle.

Tonight's starting lineups:

SA (19-4, 8-3 away)
PG The French Layup Machine
SG Michael Finley
SF Bruce Bowen
PF Tim Duncan
C Rasho Nesterovic

NO (10-13, 5-5 home)
PG The Guy Who ATL Should Have Drafted
SG J.R. Smith
SF Desmond Mason
PF David West
C P.J. Brown

The Sickness is listed as "doubtful" for tonight's game and I would be very surprised if Pop plays him despite the Spurs' troubles with back-to-backs (3 of 4 losses coming on the back end).  SA has another back-to-back starting Tuesday (@MIL & @NY), amounting to the dreaded "4 games in 5 nights" scenario.

The NBA has a lot of bad basketball teams and NO is one of them.  But, unlike some of their fellow sub par teams such as NY and POR, they have many reasons to be hopeful.  First, they are insanely young having only one player born before 1977.  Second, and more importantly, some of their young guys are already quality players.  Third, they have no bad contracts.  Fourth, they have a coach who seems to have a clue.  Fifth, I just had Cool Ranch Doritos for the first time in, like, forever.

Tonight's line:  SA -6.5
Tonight's total:  179
My pick:  SA
Matty da Blade's plays:  SA | Under
The Spurs are 10-13 ATS this year.  I am 8-14.  Da Blade is 11-9-1 ATS | 7-6 TOT.