Monday Feb. 17: Toronto Raptors @ Washington Wizards:
Lucas Says: The Raptors cannot win this game. Vince Carter will never again be completely healthy, unfortunate for the Raptors because they cannot win without the Vince of old. Don’t believe me? VC has been injured on and off all season and the Raptors are next to last in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Wizards are only one and a half games out of the playoff picture. The Wizards missed the playoffs last year due to MJ missing the last half of the season with injury. That will not happen again. MJ is the most clutch player of all time and will not allow his team to miss the playoffs again, especially in his final season, even if he has to do it all himself. Expect a drastic improvement in Jordan’s, and therefore the Wizards’, play from here on out.
To summarize: the Raptors stay in the thick of the Lebron lottery and the Wizards win.

Tom Says: Toronto: Toronto has a really bad record at 15-43. Got off to a bad start being without Vince Carter. Toronto is also doing bad on the road with a 6-19 record. Just don't think they can come out of Washington with a win.
Washington: Jordan is bound for another high scoring game. Could this night be it? Washington has the edge with the better record. Washington has too many threats that Toronto can't cover.
Winner: Washington

Overall: Unanimous - Wizard Victory

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Tuesday Feb. 18: Houston Rockets @ LA Lakers:
Lucas Says: Yao vs. Shaq part II is not as big a deal as it is being made out to be. The future may be the Ming Dynasty, but Shaq is presently the most unstoppable player in the game. Shaq will own Yao again and Kobe Bryant will continue making his bid for the title of “best player on the planet.” Kobe is averaging an absurd 43.2 points per game over his last 5, all Lakers’ wins by the way. I don’t see Cuttino Mobley putting a stop to Kobe either, so he should be able to do whatever he wants. Steve Francis had an amazing game last time and the Rockets were able to defeat the mighty Lakers, but that was before the Lakers got on a roll and before Kobe just started scoring at will. The Lakers need to win games and make the playoffs, and there is no doubt that they will do both.
To summarize: Lakers win, and it shouldn’t be close.

Chris Says: This should be a great rematch as Shaquille O’neal and the Lakers battle it out with rookie Yao Ming and the Rockets to show who the best center really is. In their last rematch Shaq had 13 boards and 31 points, welcoming Yao to the league. But Yao had a welcoming of his own for Shaq with 6 blocks, 10 rebounds, 10 points, and a win. Shaq is looking much healthier now as the red-hot Lakers continue their battle for the #8 playoff berth. Look for MVP bound Guard Kobe Bryant to take over the game for the Lakers as he is averaging 43.6 points while shooting over 50% over his last 5 games, 4 of which were wins. The loss came on Friday, the 14th, to the 35-16 Spurs who were coming off a big win at Portland. Houston has lost 4 of their last 5. Both teams have almost identical overall records. Rockets Guard Steve Francis has been on fire since the All-Star break, averaging 30.3 points per game. Statistically this should be a battle of the guards, but the real battle should be between the big men. Houston has an 8-15 road record, as the Lakers are 16-9 at home.
Conclusion: It should be a fun one to watch, but look for another Lakers victory.

Overall: Unanimous - Lakers Victory

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Wednesday Feb. 19: Philadelphia 76ers @ Chicago Bulls:
Lucas Says: Every game that the 76ers have one in the Iverson Era is a fluke. He is a cancer to the game of basketball and especially the NBA itself. He is selfish, cannot rebound, pass, or lead, and generally is just an awful, overrated player. Furthermore, The Sixers have no one else worth mentioning. Eric Snow is afraid to shoot and Keith Van Horn consistently fights for the title of softest player in the NBA (although it currently goes to Boston’s Vin Baker). The one thing that gives Philly a chance is that their center, no-talent Todd MacCulloch, will probably not play. Of course he is their only real center, so maybe that isn’t a good thing. Unfortunately for Philly, Chicago’s Jalen Rose will play and will most likely continue his recent dominance. You can bet on 30 points and 8 rebounds from him. Further, as much as I hate him, Tyson Chandler will dominate whoever plays center (Derrick Coleman?) in place of Todd MacCulloch.
In conclusion, Chicago wins, Philly loses, and the sport of basketball loses as Allen Iverson continues to play.

Chris Says: The 27-24 Philadelphia 76ers are led by All-Star Guard Allen Iverson, who just so happens to be shooting a whopping 39.9%! Nevertheless, Iverson is averaging 26.8 points per game on the season. In his last meeting with the Bulls on February 2, which resulted in a win for the Sixers, Iverson had 36 points and 7 assists. Keep in mind, however, that the Bulls are currently 18-35. In any case, Bulls Guard Jalen Rose should put up a fight after posting 38 points, 13 assists and 6 rebounds in the last meeting. Bulls Forward/Center Tyson Chandler has been hot with a total of 46 rebounds and 52 points in his last 3 games. The Bulls had lost eight straight until beating the 12-40 Nuggets on February 15. Chicago has a 16-8 home record and the Sixers are 10-13 on the road. The Bulls are great at home which should make for a close game, but I don’t think the slumping Bulls can pull this one off.
Conclusion: Look for a 76ers victory.

Overall: Split Decision - But AI is still a cancer to the game of basketball!

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SHOWCASE GAME OF THE WEEK
Thursday Feb. 20: San Antonio Spurs @ Dallas Mavericks:
Lucas Says: Dallas is the best team in the NBA. Unfortunately for them, the Spurs are the second best in the NBA and quickly gaining on them, having won their last six while the Mavs have lost their last three. It is amazing that the least exciting player in the NBA can be so dominant, but that is just the case with Tim Duncan. I would rather watch paint dry than watch Tim play, but he is the reigning MVP and is currently averaging a double-double (23.6 ppg, 12.8 rpg). He has been getting more exciting lately. I swear I saw him pump his fist in the air and smile after making a shot the other day. They also have a fundamentally sound point guard in Tony Parker, one of the best in the West Conference. Unfortunately for the Spurs, David Robinson will probably not play due to a sore right knee and back spasms, a problem that has already caused him to miss three games this year. On February 14, the Admiral was placed on the injured list. Also unfortunately for the Spurs, the Mavericks are still the Mavericks. They have more talent on their roster than any team in the NBA. Steve Nash is one of the top point guards in the NBA, Dirk Nowitzki is on of the seven best players in the NBA, and Michael Finley can flat out play. As long as they keep Shawn Bradley off the floor, the Mavs should be able to get back on track and beat San Antonio.
To summarize: The Mavs pull this one out.

Tom Says: San Antonio: Beat Portland, which is arguably one of the hottest teams in the league last week, in an OT win. Scores an average of 93.8 points compared to 102.8 that Dallas possesses. They just aren't strong enough to beat Dallas.
Dallas: The have the leagues best record. One of the best trio's in the league with Nash, Nowitzki, and Finley. Tough team to beat, especially at home where they have a 21-4 record.
Winner: Dallas

Overall: Unanimous - Mavericks Victory

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Friday Feb. 21: Portland Trail Blazers @ L.A. Lakers
Tom Says: Portland: They might be one of the hottest teams in the league right now. They have a better record than LA but the Lakers are very hot right now too. Portland always seem to have trouble against the Lakers, especially in LA.
L.A.: They are on a role. Kobe has been really hot. They are now starting to resemble the team they have been in the past few years.
Winner: LA

Chris Says: This should be one of the best games of the week. The 33-18 Blazers have won 10 of their last 13 and are 18-10 on the road. The 26-24 Lakers are 16-9 at home and have won 7 of their last 8. Both teams recently lost at home against the San Antonio Spurs. Each team has won a game in their two meetings this season, both of which the Lakers were without All-Star Center Shaquille O’neal. The Blazers are a very well rounded team, led by Forward Rasheed Wallace who has scored 25+ points in his last 3 games. Shaq and Guard Kobe Bryant should lead the way for the Lakers. In their last meeting Kobe posted a triple double to help the Lakers win at home. Kobe has been averaging 43.6 points over his last 5 games. Kobe is hot. The Lakers are hot. Portland is hot. Although the Blazers are just as good on the road as the Lakers are at home, now that the Lakers are playing well and Shaq is back they should be that much harder to beat.
Conslusion: Look for a close Lakers win.

Overall: Unanimous - Lakers Victory