Weekly Forecast -- Week 2

Note: I'll revisit Week 1's forecast, and do a little recapping tomorrow; it'll take some time to review the carnage.

thenopp vs. Les Digits

General: Well, I haven't yet crunched the numbers, but as J Francis has noted, I 'misunderestimated' Les Digits in my week 1 forecast...or did I overestimate my$hkin? In any event, they are evenly matched, game-wise with thenopp; however, Kobe's two-game week and thenopp's poor rebounding will be decisive.

Injuries: Arenas remains out until late December.

Categories:

thenopp should win 3s, FT%, PF

Les Digits should win PTS, OREB, DREB, FGM, FTM, FG%

Toss ups -- STL, BLK, TO, AST

What to watch for: The battle of the two O'Neals will show that Shaq is, was and always be the superior one(al). Thenopp will need more from Jermaine (11/7 in Week 1), M-Mill (12 PTS, .53), and G-Hill (7.7, nothing else). On the other hand, can Boobie, Brook-Lo, JamsCraw, and QuanQuan keep up their hot starts?

Les Digits just wants more of Amare, J-Smoove, B-Roy, and D-Rose! But he'll be watching Marvin Williams and Mike Conley for signs of life.

Fearless Prediction: Looks like a solid victory for LD - Final Score: Les Digits 11 - thenopp 4

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odensque vs Mongoose

General: Mongoose should have a lot more 'productive player-games' then odensque this week, by far; however, odensque's specialization in blocks and 3s might keep him close, despite conceding the major counting categories.

Injuries: Baron Davis still seems out for Mongoose. Shane Battier still hasn't played for odensque. Brad Miller is still serving his suspension.

Categories:

odensque should win 3s, FT%, TO, PF

Mongoose should win AST, PTS, FGM, FTM, OREB, DREB

Toss ups -- STL, BLK, FG%

(Mongoose Michael Beasley)

What to watch for: for Mongoose, Brandon Bass already seems to have lost his job - is he worth keeping? Will Tyrus step up? What's up with Darrell Arthur? - he was fantastic in the first game, then disappeared. And why don't they call him Michael Beastley? For odensque, is Marko Jaric worth keeping? Really? What about Bayless, B-Simm, and Darko? Another week should help clarify.

Fearless Prediction: Final Score: Mongoose 8 - odensque 7

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The Later Hosens vs. garbage speakers

General: The GS didn't set his lineup in Week 1, so this may go to the Hosens by default - that would be a shame, as these squads are quite evenly matched, especially in a 4-game LeBron week, with only 3 IND games for the Pacer rich Hosen.

Injuries: Camby and F-Garcia are still out for the speakers, but Camby hoping to return in week 2. Oden and possibly Stojakovic are out for the Hosen

Categories:

The Hosen should win PTS, AST, FGM, FT%

garbage speakers should win BLK, FG%, TO

Toss ups -- 3s, OREB, DREB, STL, FT, PF

(injured Hosen Greg Oden)

What to watch for: The Hosen have to be worried for Rafer Alston's job, and Joakim Noah's production. It was nice to see Matt Barnes have a fine game on Sat. The Oden injury hurts an already thin frontcourt: will Kevin Love continue to take up the slack? For the speakers - Ramon Sessions has just gotten a shot due to Ridnour's back injury and has stepped up in a big way - will he continue? Marcus Williams and Nocioni have been terrible, but A-Parker, AK-47, and Ron Artest have all exceeded expectations.

Fearless Prediction: Ben won't set his lineup. Final Score: Hosen 10 - garbage speakers 4

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Nor'easter vs. tsaogrip 0002

General: Nor'Easter's big men (Howard, Duncan, Bogut) all only have 3 games, while tsaogrip's bigs (Al-Jeff and Boozer) have 4. This closes the big-cat gap, and makes this a battle I'll have my eye on this week.

Injuries: Michael Redd is hurt, and Vince Carter may also be slightly injured for tsaogrip.

Categories:

Tsaogrip should win AST, STL, FT, FG%

Nor'Easter should win BLK, FT%, FG

Toss ups -- 3s, OREB, DREB, PTS, TO, PF

(nor'Easter's Al Thornton)

What to watch for: Nor'Easter must be thrilled with the monster lines of Al Thornton, Joe Johnson, Tim Duncan, Pietrus, Maggette, RudyFer and even new acquisitions Tony Parker and Drew Gooden (20 rebs!). It seems like a high percentage of nor'easter's 'upside' picks are paying off. Will Blatche, Jack, and Foye follow suit in week 2? As for tsaogrip, Redd's injury hurts, but 26pts from Q-Rich soothes the wound. Delonte and Baby Al look good, but will Felton ever not suck?

Fearless Prediction: Final Score: tsaogrip 8 - nor'Easter 6

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The Lovin' Spoonful vs. play my$hkin flute

General: 4 games from Dirk and G-Wallace bodes well for my$hkin, though AI and A-Ig only have 3 and Pau 2. The Spoonful only has 3 games from Wade and Bosh, so others must step up. The Spoonful should 'out-point' my$hkin nonetheless, but will certainly lose in 3s and the bigman cats, with the possible exception of OREBs, thanks to 4 games from Emeka & D. Lee.

Injuries: Ridnour's day to day for the Spoonful, as are big K-Mart and T-Chand for my$hkin. Dunleavy seems out still.

Categories:

Spoonful should win PTS, OREB, AST, FT, FG, FG%

my$hkin should win 3s, DREB, BLK

Toss ups -- FG%, STL, TO, PF

(my$hkin's Nene)

What to watch for: A number of Spoonful are underperforming, and management has shown a quick trigger - Beno, Stuckey, and Amir Johnson need to step up! As do 3rd and 4th round picks K-Mart and Durant. For my$hkin, Ray Allen has to be a concern (10.7 ppg) as does Leandro's slow start. Kelenna, too, has slowed down after a fast start. On the other hand Nene and Posey have started well, and are seizing their opportunity - we'll see if they can continue.

Fearless Prediction: Final Score: Spoonful 9 - my$hkin 6