NBA Betting: Nash helps Shaq as Suns get set in the West

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 28 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

Shaquille O'Neal has taken a while to settle at Phoenix but when you have the best point guard in the world in your team it makes life easier, says Nick Shiambouros as he looks West for this week's games.

With only two games played on Thanksgiving evening most players and officials in the NBA had a well earned rest from the gruelling schedule of the NBA season.

There was plenty of action before the holiday break and the in-form Orlando Magic came from behind to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 96-94 on Wednesday evening. Orlando made some critical free-throws late in the game from Dwight Howard and overall put up a big defensive performance. The Magic have now won eight out of the last 10.

On Wednesday, the Boston Celtics kept the pressure on every team in the Eastern Conference with a gritty display against the Golden State Warriors to make it six wins in a row. The Celtics were 13 points down at the halfway point but you can never count this team out and the 119-111 final score was testament to a very entertaining game.


I will be looking to the West for this week's games and on Friday night Shaquille O'Neal and the Phoenix Suns host the Miami Heat in sunny and very dry Arizona. Shaq has taken a while to get used to the west coast offence but when you have the best point guard in the world in your team it makes life easier. I am of course talking about Steve Nash who is one of the few players to come out of Canada and make it in the NBA. Nash is one of the most natural point guards you will ever see and his three point shooting is legendary.

The Suns are currently in fourth place in the Western Conference and come in to Friday's game with a three game winning streak to face a Miami team that was thumped 106-68 by Portland on Wednesday night. I don't think it will be anywhere near that kind of score again but Pheonix -8.5 in the handicap is where my money will go.

Phoenix are a high energy ball club and they score a lot of points so I think it could be a long night for Dwyane Wade and rookie sensation Michael Beasley.

On Saturday night, my hard earned will be riding on the Denver Nuggets against the Minnesota Timberwolves.The rejuvenated Nuggets with Chauncey Billups have won eight out of the last 10 games and face a Minnesota team that has only won three games all year. It is clear that the Timberwolves have not adjusted to life without Kevin Garnett who was with them for 12 seasons. Apart from Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan there are not many players who stay loyal to a team for such a length of time.

The void created by Garnett's departure has not been filled. Al Jefferson has done his bit, averaging 22 points per game for this team. Rookie Kevin Love has had a sobering introduction to the NBA with this team who are struggling to find any kind of traction this year.


Over the Thanksgiving holidays many NBA players give up their time and money to help people less fortunate than themselves. The slogan "the NBA cares" really does mean something and during these difficult times the efforts and kindness of these athletes needs to be recognized and applauded.

Recommended Wagers:

Friday: Phoenix, back with -8.5 handicap.
Saturday: Denver, Back with advertised handicap.