Mid-Week Spotlight: Week 1

We're going to check in with our WK 1 Spotlighted teams mid-week and see how our prognostications are going.

Sour Snails vs 100AcreWoodPoohBears
Right now, as it stands, the Snails will handily win in PTS, AST, and 3PT. That's to be expected. What's surprising is that they're not that far ahead in STL (despite Ron Artest's 9 STL) and losing FT%. They have the edge right now, but swing category is TO -- they've got five more TO, mainly due to having played an extra two games.

The Pooh Bears have to be pleased that they're doing so well on the %'s and will go home with a win by easily winning REB and BLK, with a slight lead in both FG% and FT%.

We highlighted the potential return of Jason Richardson has a key to this week for the Snails but he's actually been limited by minutes and not done all that much. The key here has been Steve Nash with 80 PTS, 47 AST and 10 3PT in four games.

That kind of output is matched by the Bear's Shawn Marion (87 PTS, 40 REB, 10 BLK, 8 3PT). You know who looks good on this team? Chris Wilcox (14 PTS and 9 REB avg) and Brevin Knight (14 PTS, 7 AST, 2 STL avg). And it looks like Mike Bibby is back (51 PTS, 20 AST, 6 STL, 6 3PT), although he's parked on the bench this week. If that's not an argument for a mid-week lineup switch, I'm not sure what is.

Watch those TO and % numbers to see who'll win this battle.


Buffy versus Squirtle Squad
Buffy is playing at a 6-game disadvantage right now, which could cost him the win. He should be winning PTS handily but he's behind (364-388) and is going to need a big game from somebody to secure the category. Their opponents, Squirtle Squad, have pretty solid leads in AST and both of the percentages, although the Squirtles seem destined to lose in STL and 3PT. However, they are holding slight leads in PTS, REB, and BLK so they are sitting in the winner's seat.

Originally, we had predicted that these two teams would have to fight it out over AST, REB, 3PT, FG% and BLK but it's looking like Shaq and Chandler don't want to play this week so everything is up in the air. It's looking like Joe Johnson and Rashard Lewis will have to continue their great weeks for Buffy to mount a comeback.

As for the Squirtle Squad, it's looking like the played the wrong "Earl" this week, as Boykins is sitting with 43 PTS, 14 AST, and 3 3PT. Then again, Watson does have 13 AST and 2 3PT himself. Damn those little guys are looking killer. While Boris Diaw has been somewhat of a disappointment (39 PTS, 14 REB, 6 AST, 11 TO), bench players like Nenad Krstic and Jamaal Tinsley are just itching to get in the game for Brian. And that Brandon Roy, looks like he was taken none too early in the draft. The Squad is gonna have quite the PG crew (all acquired for good value) if Deron, Damon, and the two Earls keep this up.

Keep an eye on PTS, STL, and TO as we head into Sunday.