tony Dcsla

Las Vegas - Which side of the fence are you on? Here are the numbers, you make the call. In the first three games against the Hawks, Joel Embiid averaged 35.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals in 35.5 minutes. But, as we all saw in game four, Joel was dragging his leg around, and did NOT look like the Joel everyone knows and loves. His overall shooting numbers for the game were awful, 4/20 FGs, but ATROCIOUS in the 2nd half with an OH for TWELVE bagel. Embiid actually told our ears what our eyes were seeing on the last shot. "Great look. Great look. I just didn't have the lift," Joel said. "Thought I got fouled too. But usually, I would go up, especially for a bucket like that, try to dunk it. Try to get fouled and get an and-1. But, not being able to jump for obvious reasons, it's tough." WOW. An HONEST athlete! The most important words in that sound bite were...'not being able to jump for obvious reasons.' And we all saw him go back to the locker room in the first half. So, will he be able to jump tonight? Will he regain his form from the early games? Are we getting the whole story? Is his small meniscus tear now a little bigger? Too many questions, not enough answers. Not a doctor, but my prescription for this game would be a no play, or, a very, very, very light tickle to the Hawks at +7points if Joel continues to struggle.

Swinging out West to San Francisco, gonna try the Giants with Anthony DeSclafani over Arizona. Not sure what kind of magic dust San Fran pitching coach Andrew Bailey is sprinkling on his pitchers, but it's WORKING. DeSclafani was basically an average pitcher during his five year stint in Cincinnati, winning 35 and losing 37. In his first season by the Bay, he has won six of eight with a solid 3.06 ERA. His last start was a gorgeous 2 hit complete game donut, while Merrill Kelly has not won a game for the Diamondbacks since April 27. It ain't gonna happen for Kelly at Candlestick Park, oops, Oracle Park, and you can BOOK IT!!!

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