Charlotte Bobcats AT Phoenix Suns
Jan 26, 2011 at 9 PM EST
Opening Line:  Phoenix -5.5
Current Line:  Phoenix -7
Opening Total:  201
Current Total: 199.5
Opening Moneyline: Phx -260 / Cha +220
Current Moneyline:  Phx -275 / Cha +225

Phoenix did not have a successful Eastern Conference road trip.  They dropped the last two games because of poor execution and poor shooting, but Phoenix forward Jared Dudley believes a trip back to the friendly confines of the US Airways Center could solve those problems.  “We’ve just got to go home on this plane and get some rest and get ready to go,” Dudley said.  Teams often need rest following long road trips, so the hope for Phoenix fans and players is that the rest gives them the fresh legs needed to play their typical game, running and gunning for 48 minutes.

The Bobcats will try to counteract that running game with a slow down grind it out of style of their own, though they have gotten away from that more since Paul Silas took over.  Players cited a lack of fun as a reason for playing poorly under the outdated coaching methods of Larry Brown.  They are 9-6 since Silas took over (.600) and were 9-18 (.333) before the coaching change.  Another part of the reason has been the play of Kwame Brown.  Jordan drafted the youngster in Washington and now as owner of the Bobcats, he is reaping the benefit 10 years later.  Last night against the Kings, Brown went for 13 points and 18 boards and has had a double double in 3 of the last 6 Bobcat games.  If he can continue to anchor the center position, the Bobcats will at last have found an answer to a position that has been manned by committee for the past few seasons.

Some betting trends:

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Charlotte’s last 6 games and the total has gone UNDER in 5 of their last 7 on the road.  They are 3-11 SU in their last 14 on the road and the total has gone OVER In 9 of their last 13 against the Suns.  Charlotte is 4-9 SU in their last 13 against Phoenix and 4-1 SU in their last 5 against the Suns.  They are 1-5 SU in their last 6 road games against Phoenix and the total has gone OVER in 5 of those 6 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix’s last 5 games and Phoenix is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games.  They are 4-2 SU in their last 6 at home and the total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 6 at home, as well.  Phoenix is 1-4 SU in their last 5 against the Bobcats.  Phoenix is 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 against Charlotte and the total has gone OVER in 9 of the last 13 games against the Bobcats.  The total has gone OVER in 5 of the last 6 home games against Charlotte and Phoenix is 2-3-1 ATS in their last 6 home games against the Bobcats.

Key Matchups:

D.J. Augustin vs Steve Nash

Augustin was left to be the starter after Raymond Felton bolted for the Knicks as a free agent.  Many questioned whether Augustin was starter material, but since Silas has came in as coach he has silenced many of those doubters by averaging better than 19 points per game.  He’s still not quite the ball distributor that Felton was, but perhaps that will come in time.  Nash, as most know, is one of the best point guards ever to play the game, and Augustin will have his hands full.  He has the speed to stay with Nash, but it isn’t necessarily speed that does the trick against Steve Nash.  It depends more upon not falling for his fakes and hesitation dribbles — and all point guards do.  Augustin’s best defense may be his offense, as if he can engage Nash on that end of the court by looking to make a lot of plays rather than deferring to Stephen Jackson, he could at least make Nash work on both ends of the court.

Stephen Jackson vs. Vince Carter

Vince Carter has not improved since coming to Phoenix.  In fact, he’s gotten even worse.  He’s coming off a two point performance in which he shot 1 of 6 from the floor and he hasn’t looked aggressive enough thus far in a Suns uniform.  He’s clearly a shadow of the player he once was, and he’s not going to have it easy against Stephen Jackson.  Jackson is a big shooting guard (6’8″) whose length and effort will frustrate Carter.  For Carter to have a good night he’s going to have to be aggressive and not settle for fade away jumpers as he has in recent times.  Jackson will make him work and I think Jackson will outscore and out play Carter tonight, which could lead to a Bobcats victory, if Augustin can keep Nash from having a big scoring night.