Arriving from of a strong – but losing – playoff effort last year versus the Chicago Bulls, the Pacers came roaring back to start the 2011-2012 year. The team is experiencing its best early record in the earlier 8 years, but are still struggling versus the more skillful teams in the league. While they are 11-4 so far, only four of those wins are versus teams with records above .500.

The Sacramento Kings face an uphill battle when they take on the Houston Rockets in Houston on January 13th. This is a case of both squads restructuring for the long run as both squads look nothing like their early 2000’s heydays. The Kings look to return to their previous prominence in the west with outstanding play from their youthful stalwarts. The Rockets are still coping with the after effects from the retirement of Yao Ming. The Rockets are preferred by 3 points by the sports book and this seeks to be a challenging game to call.

The AT&T Center could get some long-distance action on Jan 13th as the Portland Trailblazers head to San Antonio to face the Spurs. Portland is a young squad looking to reconstruct as the quick but electric Brandon Roy era officially ended with his retirement in December. Ex – #1 pick Greg Oden has also had continued problems with his knees as Portland seemingly cannot shake the ghost of Sam Bowie. The Spurs look to defend their court with impressive plays from their normal steady lineup. The Spurs are preferred by 8 points and this wants to be an amazing wager.

On Jan 12th, things get hot when the Cleveland Cavaliers come into Phoenix to take on the Suns. Two seasons ago, this could have been an outstanding game with LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire going head up in a collision course. In the age of free agency however, times surely have transformed as this game looks considerably different. Phoenix is preferred by 6 points over the Cleveland Cavaliers and this appears to be a safe wager.

Saturday evening on January 14th, the New York Knicks come into Oklahoma City to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in this major matchup between these 2 teams. It’s a tale of 2 teams as the Oklahoma City Thunder come into play with a stable squad of young guns versus the Knicks who it appears from year upon year often enters into play with a lot of modifications going on. The Knicks are preferred by 4 points and this may hold unless Durant has one of his standard killer games.

The United Center in Chicago will be on edge as the Washington Wizards arrive in town to take on the Bulls. In past years, this game would’ve been the most challenging ticket to get as the 2nd comeback by Michael Jordan turned the Wizards into media darlings all through the league. Jordan is currently long retired however and the Wizards have turned into an excellent young squad with vast quantities of prospective waiting to be utilized. The sportsbook has the Bulls preferred by 8 points which sounds correct and sounds like a great wager with Chicago being rooted on at home.

The Staples Center is going to come alive on January 11th when the Miami Heat takes on the Clippers. The Heat comes in with one of the better records in the NBA bolstered by a great roster of stars. The Heat lead the league as a team in points landed and assists. The sportsbook has the Heat favored by 8 points and with the backcourt they possess, it appears to be a sure wager. Let’s have a closer look at the Heat this year and what they offer.

The ugly specter of the Lockout had loomed huge over the NBA landscape until recently. The NBA has successfully tipped off in earnest over Christmas weekend with both the competitors and the owners at last coming to a contract. The NBA welcoming committee goes to the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. when the Celts (1-3) battle against the Washington Wizards (0-3). Both squads come into play with unstable records and a slow start to the season. The sports book appears to have the nod on the greater team as the line now stands – Boston (-7) 184 ½ .