Hornets vs Suns (Slo's pick: Suns)
The Suns will destroy the Hornets without Chris Paul as will most teams, this one won't be pretty.
Spurs vs Jazz (Slo's pick: Spurs)
At home, this Spurs team should beat the Jazz convincingly. I have my doubts that the Jazz will even contend this year. Also, the Jazz must have a personal vendetta against me, whenever I pick them to win they lose, and whenever I pick them to lose they win.
Lakers vs Bulls (Slo's pick: Bulls)
Tonight marks the return of Pau Gasol which in years past would have meant disaster for the Bulls. But for the first time in recent memory the Bulls have a formidable big man in the paint, Joakim Noah who happens to lead the league in rebounding. This is a bold pick because most would view this pick and assume that I'm completely out of my mind. Kobe Bryant has been held under his scoring average in four out of his last six games against the Bulls. Rose, who has struggled more than many would have ever anticipated, vows to break out of this slump very soon. He said that he knows that he's not playing like himself and that he refuses to cut his hair until the problem is fixed. Rose's aggressiveness has been a big problem this year but I've seen it getting better. His last game against the Kings was his best played game of the season, coincidentally, it was also his worst shooting game of the season. The big difference in that game was his aggressiveness and defense, he got to the line 6 times (season high) and he didn't settle for jump shots the way he has been. If Rose plays well tonight the Bulls will win because tonight he is matched up with the much slower Derek Fisher. No. the Bulls are not as good as the Lakers by a long shot, but they match up with the Lakers better than maybe any other team. The Bulls are going to shock the world tonight with a win in the Staples Center.
Slo's record on the season: 110-56
Slo's record last night: 10-3
