It is a large card in the NBA on Wednesday night and injuries continue to play a major role. Below is a look at four different games this evening in which key players might be missing.
TORONTO at CLEVELAND (-8½, 197)
The Raptors have won five of their past seven games and stand 8-2 ATS over the past ten, but they might now be without their best player as forward Chris Bosh is questionable tonight due to an eye virus similar to pink eye. Bosh leads the team in scoring (21.1 ppg) and rebounding (12.2 rpg) this season.
Cleveland hopes to get guard Larry Hughes back tonight after missing the past nine games with a sprained ankle. Hughes averaged 15.0 points per game during the first seven games of the season before he was injured on November 15th.
MEMPHIS at BOSTON (-3, 190½)
Both teams enter on 0-3 SU/ATS streaks and Memphis might be without point guard Damon Stoudamire who has missed the past four games due to a sore right knee. Stoudamire is averaging 8.1 points per game and is third on the squad with 3.6 assists per game. Keep in mind Memphis is still without their best player, Pau Gasol, who has not played all year due to a broken foot.
Boston will likely be without forward Wally Szczerbiak who was inactive on Monday due to a sprained left ankle. Szczerbiak is second on the team in scoring (19.6 ppg) and shoots 91 percent from the free throw line.
PORTLAND at MILWAUKEE (-7½)
Portland is coming off a shocking 88-85 upset win at Detroit last night as a 10-point road underdog. The Blazers shot just 41 percent from the field, but were led by Zach Randolph’s 31 points and 13 rebounds.
Milwaukee might regain the services of forward Charlie Villanueva who has missed the past nine games due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Villanueva is second on the team in scoring (14.6 ppg), rebounding (7.4 rpg), and steals (1.3 spg) and is questionable tonight.
Milwaukee might also be without guard Maurice Williams who left Monday’s game with a lower back injury. Williams is tied with Villanueva in scoring (14.6 ppg) and Williams is the Buck’s top point guard with 6.0 assists per game.
NEW ORLEANS at L.A. LAKERS (-8)
The Hornets are in the middle of a five-game losing streak and even a four day layoff might not be enough time to get them healthy as three key players will miss tonight’s game. Peja Stojakovic (17.8 ppg) and David West (17.4 ppg) are out tonight and Bobby Jackson (10.9 ppg) is doubtful with a cracked rib. This means New Orleans will be without three of their top four scorers tonight.
The Lakers might be without superstar Kobe Bryant as he is questionable after injuring his ankle in Monday’s 101-87 home win versus the Pacers. Bryant lasted only 21 minutes in the game, but still tallied 21 points. Overall, Kobe leads the team in scoring (26.1 ppg) and steals (1.3 spg) and is second in assists (4.7 apg) and minutes played (37.7 mpg).
Steve Merril
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