JPicks
Pretty much a regular
I'm not going to get overly involved in Thursday as the games are pretty clear cut. I like the Cavs to take care of Jersey, but I'm not sure about laying the points right now. It'd be Cavs or nothing for me. Really wished the Wizards would have got the W last night as I'd be all over the Cavs. In la la land I'd expect the Clippers to want the W more. As far as injuries go in that game: Cassell will get some minutes, but I don't think it'll make a difference either way. Radmonovich is probably also going to see a few minutes. No Kwame Brown. Enough of that, Friday looks like it should be fun.
Detroit @ Toronto. (I'll edit in the lines when they come out)
I'm probably not the best person on this site to talk Pistons basketball, but I'll throw out the obvious. They have nothing to play for and Flip Saunders has said that he will go with an exhibition type rotation for the final four games. These teams meet up again next Tuesday as well.
The Raptors still have some unfinished business. While they are a virtual lock to get the third see their is still a possibility of Miami catching them. I don't, nor does anybody else, see this happening, but I'm sure the Raptors would like to get this victory to seal the deal. Barganani was set to return Friday night up to 10 minutes ago. He showed up to practice with flu like symptoms and is now doubtful to be back on Friday.
Have to like the Raptors here as long as the spread isn't rediculous. It'd be a nice one to include in a ML parlay.
N.Y. Knicks @ N.J. Nets
This game has more questions that I care to deal with. The biggest question is what happens in Cleveland on Thursday for the Nets? If they lose there then I'm not sure what their motivation will be in this spot. I have the Nets in the playoffs whether or not they've actually clinched anything. Also injury questions with the Knicks as Marbury and Balkman are both ??. I'll pass on this until everything else settles.
Charlotte @ Chicago (Played at -10 3 Units)
Charlotte has nothing to play for other than screwing their lottery ball chances even more. Sixers fans know how this one feels. Winner of 6 of their last 8 could help to keep this spreak closer to 11 than 15. Smoke and mirrors. I like the Bobcats, but this game will be over before it starts. The Kitties have beaten MIA twice, WAS twice, MIL and ATL to get those 6 wins. They're still bad enough to lose to the Pacers at home by 10. Yep, the same Pacer team that has to squeak out victories at MIL and lose to a AI-less Philly team. Chicago in an absolute must win. If this line is under 13, I'll be interested.
Indian @ Miami
If you want to play this game feel free. I'll be on the sidelines. Sure Miami doesn't really have an interest in winning right now and the Pacers need to win. Sounds similar for the Pacers. They're just terrible right now. I'd honestly entertain the Heat if the Pacers are giving points.
Milwaukee @ Boston
:down:
On to the Western Conference....
Denver @ New Orleans
This game is a bit tricky. Best to try and sift thru some local papers and read between the lines as to what these teams are thinking. Denver looks solid as the 6th seed. The question is, How much do they want the 6th seed? Probably not much as the Spurs will be awaiting them, but I don't think there is much they can do to avoid it. Don't be surprised if Carmelo, AI and Camby all play reduced minutes. I'm sure the Nuggets want to keep the momentum high into the playoffs, but not at the cost of injuring a couple of fragile players.
Hornets are still in the hunt for that 8th seed. I'd say their odds are 1 in 100, but they're still alive. They may be the team that wants this game more. If they lose this game I'd pound the Rockets on Saturday as it's likely Chris Paul will be done for the year the second they're eliminated from the playoffs.
Not likely to be on either side here.
Golden State @ Sacramento
Golden State must win. End of story. Sacramento might be without the services of Artest and Martin as both are on the injury list. It'd be wise for the Kings to shut those guys down for the rest of the year as they are one of 7 teams in the mix for the 5th to 11th worst record. The Kings should lose their last 4 as all are against playoff teams (GSW, @UT, @HOU, LAC). I'm not sure you'll see much of an effort and I think the Warriors will be a strong play.
Lakers @ Suns
Lakers will be on a B2B before facing the high flying Suns. Recipe for disaster? Most likely IMO. Remember this team isn't built on depth here.
Suns still needing victories to fight off the Spurs for the 2nd seed. Their remaining games are LAL, @UT, @HOU, LAC. They've got to go 3-1 over thier last 4 to gurantee the 2 seed. Spurs should do no worst than 3-1, with the 1 loss being @DAL. Spurs own the tiebreaker so if the Suns were to go 2-2 they could possibly drop to the 3.
Like the Suns here as Jackson should start pulling in the reigns on Kobe to get him some rest before the playoffs start. I'd love to see a single digit spread here.
Portland @ Los Angeles Clippers
The Trailblazers are the one lottery team that I won't autofade against somebody who is desperate to win. Wednesday night being the prime example. Clippers game on Thursday will obviously be a huge factor for this game. Another thing of interest here is the status of Brandon Roy. He's got tendinitis in both knees now and the Blazers are talking of reducing his minutes as they don't want to suffer any injuries to their franchise player.
Detroit @ Toronto. (I'll edit in the lines when they come out)
I'm probably not the best person on this site to talk Pistons basketball, but I'll throw out the obvious. They have nothing to play for and Flip Saunders has said that he will go with an exhibition type rotation for the final four games. These teams meet up again next Tuesday as well.
The Raptors still have some unfinished business. While they are a virtual lock to get the third see their is still a possibility of Miami catching them. I don't, nor does anybody else, see this happening, but I'm sure the Raptors would like to get this victory to seal the deal. Barganani was set to return Friday night up to 10 minutes ago. He showed up to practice with flu like symptoms and is now doubtful to be back on Friday.
Have to like the Raptors here as long as the spread isn't rediculous. It'd be a nice one to include in a ML parlay.
N.Y. Knicks @ N.J. Nets
This game has more questions that I care to deal with. The biggest question is what happens in Cleveland on Thursday for the Nets? If they lose there then I'm not sure what their motivation will be in this spot. I have the Nets in the playoffs whether or not they've actually clinched anything. Also injury questions with the Knicks as Marbury and Balkman are both ??. I'll pass on this until everything else settles.
Charlotte @ Chicago (Played at -10 3 Units)
Charlotte has nothing to play for other than screwing their lottery ball chances even more. Sixers fans know how this one feels. Winner of 6 of their last 8 could help to keep this spreak closer to 11 than 15. Smoke and mirrors. I like the Bobcats, but this game will be over before it starts. The Kitties have beaten MIA twice, WAS twice, MIL and ATL to get those 6 wins. They're still bad enough to lose to the Pacers at home by 10. Yep, the same Pacer team that has to squeak out victories at MIL and lose to a AI-less Philly team. Chicago in an absolute must win. If this line is under 13, I'll be interested.
Indian @ Miami
If you want to play this game feel free. I'll be on the sidelines. Sure Miami doesn't really have an interest in winning right now and the Pacers need to win. Sounds similar for the Pacers. They're just terrible right now. I'd honestly entertain the Heat if the Pacers are giving points.
Milwaukee @ Boston
:down:
On to the Western Conference....
Denver @ New Orleans
This game is a bit tricky. Best to try and sift thru some local papers and read between the lines as to what these teams are thinking. Denver looks solid as the 6th seed. The question is, How much do they want the 6th seed? Probably not much as the Spurs will be awaiting them, but I don't think there is much they can do to avoid it. Don't be surprised if Carmelo, AI and Camby all play reduced minutes. I'm sure the Nuggets want to keep the momentum high into the playoffs, but not at the cost of injuring a couple of fragile players.
Hornets are still in the hunt for that 8th seed. I'd say their odds are 1 in 100, but they're still alive. They may be the team that wants this game more. If they lose this game I'd pound the Rockets on Saturday as it's likely Chris Paul will be done for the year the second they're eliminated from the playoffs.
Not likely to be on either side here.
Golden State @ Sacramento
Golden State must win. End of story. Sacramento might be without the services of Artest and Martin as both are on the injury list. It'd be wise for the Kings to shut those guys down for the rest of the year as they are one of 7 teams in the mix for the 5th to 11th worst record. The Kings should lose their last 4 as all are against playoff teams (GSW, @UT, @HOU, LAC). I'm not sure you'll see much of an effort and I think the Warriors will be a strong play.
Lakers @ Suns
Lakers will be on a B2B before facing the high flying Suns. Recipe for disaster? Most likely IMO. Remember this team isn't built on depth here.
Suns still needing victories to fight off the Spurs for the 2nd seed. Their remaining games are LAL, @UT, @HOU, LAC. They've got to go 3-1 over thier last 4 to gurantee the 2 seed. Spurs should do no worst than 3-1, with the 1 loss being @DAL. Spurs own the tiebreaker so if the Suns were to go 2-2 they could possibly drop to the 3.
Like the Suns here as Jackson should start pulling in the reigns on Kobe to get him some rest before the playoffs start. I'd love to see a single digit spread here.
Portland @ Los Angeles Clippers
The Trailblazers are the one lottery team that I won't autofade against somebody who is desperate to win. Wednesday night being the prime example. Clippers game on Thursday will obviously be a huge factor for this game. Another thing of interest here is the status of Brandon Roy. He's got tendinitis in both knees now and the Blazers are talking of reducing his minutes as they don't want to suffer any injuries to their franchise player.
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