Author: Kim Smith

Oklahoma City has started 2-0, and the Clippers are walking into a difficult spot. Los Angeles played the Lakers on Friday and now has to deal with a Thunder team that has been one of the league’s toughest opponents at home. The Clippers have enough experience to make this interesting,…

Minnesota has been playing good hockey, and Vancouver hasn’t. Sometimes that’s enough to make a decision, although the Wild have one thing working against them Sunday. They’re playing their second game in two nights. Vancouver is struggling badly, but the Canucks are at home and should have a little more…

Colorado is the better team, but Nashville has a goaltender capable of making things uncomfortable. That’s what makes this game interesting. The Avalanche can score in bunches, and the Predators have had trouble putting together complete performances. Still, Colorado is laying a fairly heavy price on the road. I think…

This isn’t an ordinary Sunday night hockey game. Montreal and Winnipeg are taking the game outdoors for the Heritage Classic, and that changes things. The ice, the wind, and the temperature could all become part of the conversation. Montreal has been slightly better early in the season, but Winnipeg is…

Dallas has been getting results, and the Islanders are walking into a difficult road game. New York can defend well enough to keep this close, but the Stars have more offensive options and the advantage of playing at home. I wouldn’t expect Dallas to run away with this one. The…

I don’t know what to make of Florida right now. The Panthers went out and scored 18 goals in three games, then turned around and managed one lousy goal in their next two. Pittsburgh shut them out Thursday, and Ottawa beat them 5-1 before that. Now they’re going into Chicago…

Memphis has started with two wins, and Sacramento is still trying to get its first. That’s the kind of matchup where the obvious pick isn’t always the right one. The Grizzlies have been getting results, but they’re playing on the road against a Kings team that should be pretty tired…

Detroit just went into Miami and scored 128 points, and now the Pistons get a Philadelphia team that has to play Milwaukee the night before. That’s a pretty decent spot for Detroit. The 76ers are unbeaten too, but they had to dig themselves out of a 29-point hole against Cleveland.…

Toronto and Minnesota have both started 2-0, so at least one unbeaten record is disappearing Sunday. The Raptors have been getting results, but Minnesota at home is a different test. I think the Timberwolves have a little more to offer defensively, and that matters when both teams are still figuring…

Brooklyn has an awkward spot Sunday. The Nets have to play Cleveland on Saturday and then come home to face Indiana less than 24 hours later. That’s not exactly the schedule you want when you’re still trying to figure out your team. Indiana hasn’t looked particularly sharp defensively, but the…