hot picks nba 9/1/2008

Houston Rockets at Washington Wizards (-2 ½, 194)
In the absence of Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming has proved his worth to the Houston Rockets.
McGrady has missed the past six games with a knee injury, but the Rockets have won two straight and four of the six. Ming has averaged 23 points per game over that time and shot a season-high 53.2 percent from the field in Saturday’s win over the Knicks.
Houston will be without McGrady for tonight’s clash and the rest of the week. But with Ming in such good form, they should cover the spread for the third time in four games against Washington.
Pick: Rockets
L.A Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies (5, 215 ½)
Kobe Bryant and the Lakers march into Memphis having won 12 of their last 15 overall and five of seven on the road.
Bryant will certainly remember his last trip to the FedEx Forum. In March of 2007 he scored 60 points against the Grizzlies, hitting 20-of-37 from the floor and 17-of-18 from the free throw line.
While a repeat performance from Bryant is not too likely, the Lakers look good to get another win. Memphis has lost six of its last eight and has covered just twice in its last nine home games.
Pick: Lakers
Indiana Pacers at Utah Jazz (-8 ½, 212)
The Pacers have dropped five straight games on the road, where they are 8-10 for the season. Unfortunately for them, eight of their next 10 games are away from home.
Indiana has struggled to deal with the loss of Jamaal Tinsley, who is averaging 13.8 points per game. The guard has missed five straight games with a finger injury, four of which the Pacers have lost.
Another road game without Tinsley could produce a familiar result tonight.
Pick: Jazz