Every sports season brings pleasant surprises and major disappointments. This NBA season has seen plenty of both. In a game last week that featured two teams that failed to make the playoffs, the Cavaliers topped the Clippers 112-105 in overtime. Both are on the rise and stocked with some prime young talent, none more famous than Cleveland star LeBron James. It’s hard to believe he’s just 20 years old, turning 21 at the end of this month. James is the glue that’s holding the rising young Cavs together. They nearly made the playoffs last year after a late-season fold, but appear focused to not let that happen again.
After that Clippers/Cavaliers game last week, James noted, “Clipper Coach Mike Dunleavy has a great system and they have a great group of guys. They are just like us. They are up and coming on the West Coast, and we are up and coming on the East Coast.” His observation is on the mark, at least in the early going. Here’s a look at some of the early season surprises.
Cavaliers: James (28 ppg) is third in the NBA in scoring behind Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant. But there’s a big difference in their team’s play: The Lakers and 76ers are struggling, while Cleveland started 10-4 SU, 9-5 ATS and has stepped up as one of the better teams in the East. The Cavs are No. 1 in the NBA in free throw shooting at 80%, which can help on late covers.
Newcomer Larry Hughes has been a great addition, and the trio of 7-3 Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 6-10 Drew Gooden and 6-9 Donyell Marshall have been outstanding on the boards. One thing to keep in mind: Cleveland started 3-3 on the road and 7-1 SU/6-2 ATS at home. Remember that a year ago the Cavs were 30-12 SU, 25-16 ATS at home.
Clippers: No longer the laughingstocks of the NBA, the Clippers are finally getting better. They already had a good frontcourt with hard working Elton Brand, 7-foot Chris Kaman and Corey Maggette, and this season they brought in veteran guards Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley to solidify the backcourt. LA started 5-1 SU at home and 6-3 ATS on the road. Most impressive is that this group is allowing 41% shooting by opponents, best in the NBA! They are also one of the top free throw shooting squads. Oh, and they beat the Lakers 97-91 as a 2-point favorite in the opening bragging rights for the City of Angels. The next meeting: January 7.
Pistons: The fact that they are winning and playing great is not a surprise. After all, this team won the NBA title two years ago and made it to the Finals in June. It’s how they’re winning that’s surprising. New coach Flip Saunders does not demand stifling defense like coach Larry Brown did. He allows more creative freedom on offense from players, and thus far it’s been harmonious. Detroit is averaging 114 points per game at home where they started 5-0 “over” the total. The Pistons allow 96 ppg at home, which is a far cry from the 86 per game they allowed last season under Brown. Yes, coaches can make a difference in a team’s style of play, which can affect betting numbers.
Bobcats: This team is a year or two away, but a 9-6 ATS start has impressed along with some hard-working young talent. The backcourt is competitive with rookie Raymond Felton and Brevin Knight, while the young frontcourt has great building blocks in 23-year old 6-7 Gerald Wallace and 6-10 23-year old Emeka Okafor. You want quickness and hustle? Charlotte leads the league in steals, with an average of 11 per game. Young teams in pro and college basketball often play better at home than on the road, and that’s the case with Charlotte, starting 1-8 SU on the road, but 4-3 SU, 4-2-1 ATS at home.
Warriors: Another team that has been stockpiling high draft picks for several years. It’s too bad 24-year old Jason Richardson isn’t in a major TV market, because he is one of the most exciting young players in the league. Teamed with Baron Davis, who they acquired late last season in a trade, this is an electric backcourt that is 5th in the West in assists. Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy provide offense and rebounding and this is a team on the rise, starting 11-6 SU/ATS. Perhaps most impressive is that Golden State is playing some defense this season, allowing 92 ppg.
