Ala Hann Sport picks

Rookies vs Sophomores

Friday February 12 at 9:00 pm EST

The Rookies have not won a game since 2002 and besides last game where they came within six points, they have been beaten every year by double digits and as many as 41. Readers know that the Rookies did get one item of good news this week as sophomore Derrick Rose will not play as he was selected to play in the All Star game.

Primetime Performers

Rookies: Tyreke Evans has played great for the Sacramento Kings all year and has shown that he was worth the 4^th overall pick last summer. Averaging 20.3 points, 5.1 assists and 4.8 boards he will be the best statistical player on the court on Friday. Playing the majority of the season without Kings star shooting guard Kevin Martin has not slowed him down and should be expected to put up a lot of points in a game that is notorious for lack of defence.

Sophomores: While the Clippers have been struggling this year, Eric Gordon has led the team and improved his game across the board. Scoring 17 a game and adding three boards and three assists, he should be the focal point in the offence. Those doing NBA betting should remember that in last year’s game he put up 19 points on six of eight shooting including three for four from downtown.

X-Factors

Rookies: Stephen Curry has finally been getting steady playing time in Golden State and has responded with a huge month in January. Scoring around 20 points, six assists and four rebounds a game since New Year’s he is joining Brandon Jennings in the race to catch Evans for rookie of the year. He also just rattled off a monstrous triple-double against the L.A. Clippers putting up 36 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds and three steals while playing against former All Star Baron Davis.

Sophomores: Marc Gasol is primed to have a monstrous game. He is the only player in the league averaging 15 points and 9.5 boards as a centre in the Western Conference and joins Andrew Bogut and Dwight Howard as the only players to do it in the entire NBA. Gasol also stands at 7’1” and will be likely be matched up with Duan Blair who stand just 6’8” since the rookie team’s tallest player is Jonas Jerebko, who stands just 6”10” and at just 231 lbs is not going to guard the 265 lb Minnesota Grizzlies player.

Matchup

The Rookies have only one player (Blair) who plays center and two (Taj Gibson and Jerebko) who play power forward, those doing sportsbetting should expect a lot of three guard line-ups. They have a huge speed advantage to make up for the lack in size and with the loss of Rose, the Sophomores have no chance of matching the Rookies in scoring from the backcourt. They will however dominate the paint as the Sophomores boast four players of 6’10” or more and should counter with a big group on the court.

Betting Recommendations

In the ten years of the Rookie versus Sophomore format of the Rookie Challenge, the Rookies have only won twice and this year should be no different as they are just too good down low.

Pick: Sophomores

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