There is a six-pack of games on the NBA card for Tuesday night. A month into the NBA season and injuries are starting to play a major role in team’s performances. Below is a look at all six matchups this evening, including three games with key injury concerns.

PORTLAND at DETROIT (-10, 193½)

The Pistons had their 8-0 SU (6-2 ATS) streak snapped on Sunday when they lost 97-89 at Charlotte as a 4-point road favorite. Detroit struggled offensively, hitting just 40.7 percent from the field, while allowing the Bobcats to shoot 49.3 percent overall.

Portland takes to the road for the first of six straight road games after going just 0-4 SU (1-3 ATS) in their recent home stand. Since a mini two-game win streak in early November, the Blazers have gone just 2-10 SU (3-9 ATS) over the past three weeks.

Detroit won both meetings straight-up last season, but the Pistons were 0-2 ATS as their wins came by margins of just three and four points in each game.

DALLAS at NEW JERSEY (no line)

There was no overnight line on this game as Vince Carter injured his wrist on Saturday in the Net’s 112-107 win over Philadelphia. Carter is expected to play tonight and leads the team in scoring (27.7 ppg) and is second in assists (3.4 apg) and steals (1.1 spg).

The Mavericks had their 12-0 SU (10-2 ATS) run snapped last night when they lost 106-97 at Washington. Dirk Nowitzki led the club with 27 points, while Jason Terry struggled and scored only four points in 27 minutes of action. The Mavericks were thoroughly outplayed and trailed by 22 points entering the fourth quarter.

GOLDEN STATE at HOUSTON (no line)

There was no overnight line on this game due to key player injuries on both clubs. The Warriors are coming off a 129-89 loss at San Antonio last night and will probably be without forward Jason Richardson again this evening. Richardson injured his knee in Saturday’s 115-110 home loss versus Milwaukee and is doubtful tonight.

Houston’s Tracy McGrady is probable after suffering a concussion in Saturday’s 81-63 home win versus Cleveland. McGrady play less than eleven minutes and had only seven points, but the Rockets still dominated the game and were led by 24 points from Yao Ming.

SACRAMENTO at PHOENIX (no line)

There was no overnight line in this game due to the uncertainty of Sacramento’s Ron Artest who has missed the past two games due to a back injury. Artest is second on the team in scoring (17.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg).

Sacramento lost 92-89 last night at home versus Orlando and now the Kings must travel without rest and play their fourth game in five days. Phoenix is well rested as they have only played once in the past six days and the Suns are 8-1 SU during the past nine games since their surprising 1-5 SU start.

ATLANTA at SEATTLE (-5½, 201½)

Atlanta got their current five game road trip off to a winning start with a 107-96 win at Portland on Sunday as a 2½-point underdog. The Hawks never trailed in the game and led by as many as 17 points. Atlanta was lead by Joe Johnson’s 33 points and the team’s 107 points was their highest tally in the past nine games and their third highest total of the season.

Seattle is coming off a hard-fought 109-107 road loss at Utah on Saturday in which the Sonics nearly overcame a 12-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. The Sonics allowed Utah to shoot 51 percent from the field and overall Seattle is allowing 49 percent in all games this season.

The Sonics won a 113-112 overtime shootout earlier this season at Atlanta, in which Ray Allen had 33 points and Rashard Lewis tallied 23 points. The Hawks were led by 28 points from Joe Johnson and 24 points from Josh Smith. Josh Childress also had 17 points, but he will not be available tonight due to a foot injury.

MIAMI at L.A. CLIPPERS (-6½, 189) (NBA-tv)

The Miami Heat are finally adjusting to life without Shaquille O’Neal as they have gone 3-1 SU (4-0 ATS) during their past four games. Shaq is still out for another month due to his recent knee surgery and Dwyane Wade has carried the load this season, averaging 27.7 points per game and has scored at least 33 points or more in three of his past five games.

The Clippers started the season 5-1 SU (4-2 ATS), but then followed with a 1-6 SU (0-7 ATS) slide. Los Angeles has begun to turn things around and stand 2-1 SU/ATS during their past three games, including an impressive 116-91 home win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday.

Steve Merril
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