There are three games on the NBA card for Tuesday night and each of the three games involves key injuries to starters. Below is a detailed look at all three matchups for this evening.

ORLANDO (-6½, 177) at NEW ORLEANS (NBA-tv)

The Hornets 8-3 SU start to the season was a distant memory after the 4-19 SU slide that followed from November 22nd thru January 8th. That fall coincided with numerous injuries and the Hornets are still without their top three scorers as Chris Paul (18.4 ppg), Peja Stojakovic (17.8 ppg) and David West (17.4 ppg) are each out for at least another month. The Hornets are also without Bobby Jackson (10.9 ppg) who hopes to return soon from a rib injury.

The Hornets have begun to turn things around as evident by their recent back-to-back wins over the Hawks and Wizards as +5½ and +7½ point underdogs. Overall, New Orleans has covered three of their past four games and the team is 8-6 ATS during the past month.

The Magic have also turned things around after battling some injuries in mid-December. Orlando is a perfect 8-0 ATS during their past eight games, but they have suffered back-to-back SU losses on the road versus the Lakers and Suns.

HOUSTON at DALLAS (-7½, 179½)

The Rockets continue to win without their leading scorer and rebounder Yao Ming (25.9 ppg, 9.4 rpg) who is out with a knee injury and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Houston lost their first two games without Ming, but they have since gone 9-1 SU (7-3 ATS) during their past ten games.

Tracy McGrady continues to carry the team and has scored at least 31 points or more in seven of the past nine games. Another key has been the play of backup center Dikembe Mutombo who has seen increased playing time with Ming out of the lineup. Mutombo did not have more than ten rebounds in any of the first 28 games this season, but has since recorded double-figure rebounds in each of the past ten games with an average of 14.2 rebounds per game during that span.

Houston is a strong 63-42 ATS as a road underdog with current head coach Jeff Van Gundy, but the Rockets are in a difficult spot tonight as they are facing a red-hot Dallas team playing with embarrassing revenge from a 107-76 road loss on November 4th.

The loss was part of a surprising 0-4 SU start for Dallas; however the defending Western Conference champions have since turned things around with a 31-4 SU record in all games since November 9th.

CLEVELAND (-2½, 196) at SEATTLE

Seattle continues to play without their second leading scorer Rashard Lewis who has missed the past 13 games due to a hand injury that will keep him out until late February. Lewis is second on the team in points (21.9 ppg) and third in rebounding (6.8 rpg).

Seattle has gone just 2-8 SU over their past ten games, but they are coming off an impressive 122-114 home overtime win versus Utah last Friday. Ray Allen had a career high 54 points versus Utah and continues to lead the team in scoring this season with 25.8 points per game.

Cleveland is also likely without their second leading scorer as Larry Hughes missed Saturday’s 104-92 win versus the Clippers with a calf injury. Hughes is doubtful tonight and is second on the team in scoring (14.8 ppg) and steals (1.4 spg) and third in assists (3.2 apg).

The Cavaliers have played eleven games this season without Hughes and stand 6-5 SU, but just 4-7 ATS in those games. Cleveland won easily 106-84 at home versus Seattle on December 15th and Hughes led the team in scoring with 25 points in that game.

Click here to view all of Steve Merril's premium plays.

Social Bookmarking