NBA Hump Day 4 Pack

ATL -2.5 at CHA

The Hawks have been a strange team to follow this year. They're still a very efficient, explosive offense but they lack the consistency they showed night and night out last year. Whether it's the fact that they're missing Demarre Carroll or that they're just not catching anyone by surprise anymore, something isn't clicking for the ATL. The one place they have had success is against the spread. They've been a solid pick all season and tonight as they go up against a struggling Hornets squad (2-8 ATS last 10 games), I would expect a pretty easy cover. 

NYK -4 vs. BKN

Sure Melo is most likely out after straining his knee last night in their victory over Boston, but that could actually be a good thing for the Knicks. They need to learn how to revolve the offense around the franchise aka Porzingis, who pulled up from thirty feet last night and drilled a triple that made several NBA scouts cream their pants at the potential of this 19 year old. Last time these teams played the Knicks won by 65 or so and that was before their recent surge of playing team ball and actually looking like a playoff team. Melo or no Melo the Knicks win this game by 10-13 points.

IND +3.5 vs. BOS

Weird stat that has no effect on the outcome, but the Pacers are 6-1 ATS on Wednesday games! Something about playing during the middle of the week just seems to get Indiana going. Meanwhile something isn't right in Boston. They haven't looked competitive in almost two weeks and I can't really point to any one issue why that is. Either way hopefully Paul George and George Hill keep the Wednesday groove going tonight in Boston.

OKC -11 vs. DAL

This is the easiest line possibly of all time. I will literally never write picks again for DP if the Thunder don't cover this spread. The Mavs are coming off an OT game against the Cavs and holding out four of their five starters!! I know that the last time they pulled this little stunt they ended up beating the Pelicans, but the Thunder are not the Pelicans people!! Russ goes off for no less than 35, 6, and 6 and KD chips in 30 as this one is over before halftime and the Thunder eventually go on to win by 34.

NBA and NHL Tuesday Night

2014-15 NBA Record: 20-15

Mr. Nutz:

OKC @ MIL (-3)

I'm sorry if I'm beating a dead centaur here, but I hate the Oklahoma City Thunder. Especially when they don't have the leagues most valuable player with no real position, Russell Westbrook. The Thunder are relying on Reggie Jackson, HEAVILY, along with Sebastian Telfair and Serge Ibaka. I don't care, just take the points every night from here on out. The Bucks have a Greek Freak who coach Jason Kidd told to be "more aggressive" after he put up a career high 18 points last week. Let's not forget, Jabari Parker is due for a 35 point game and I think tonight is the night. After Larry Sanders knocks Serge Ibaka out with a bottle of Ciroc, I think this one will be over for the Thunder. 

CHA @ POR (-7.5)

I have been all aboard the "bet on Portland to win/cover at home" train for a while now and it is paying off. The Blazers feed off of their hipster, microbrew sipping, passive-agressive fans and have a very deep, talented roster. With two legit stars and a supporting cast that can hang with some starting fives in the league, the Blazers have been criminally underrated for a while now. Tonight they take on the Hornets, which is the team that has Kemba and Lance (Right....? Let me check.....Yep). The Hornets just dropped a terrible one to the Lakers on Sunday and I don't think they're ready for this West Coast swing. Nic Batum should have a very steady game tonight to compensate for the 35-19 Al Jefferson will be putting up. Keep riding the Blaze train!

SAS @ GS (-7.5) 

How easy is it to say, "The Spurs are getting SEVEN points?!!! Sign em up! Cash it!" tonight? Very, very easy. So easy, in fact, that I absolutely refuse to do it. I love the Spurs and was super pumped that they won the title last year, but they are not into full season swing right now. As a lot of people have done before, I compare them to the New England Patriots. They take a few weeks to figure things out, people start freaking out and BAM, they flip the switch and dominate the regular season. They aren't there yet and Pop is damn sure not going to send his guys out there to ball out in an early November game on a back-to-back. Some guys will be sitting, or there will be very limited minutes. The Warriors have been awesome this year and I expect them to kill it tonight.

Catz:

ORL (+10.5) vs. Toronto

This was a last second flip-flop that my editor is probably going to get pretty upset about. I just had to admit to both myself and to the loyal readers of Dirty Picks that I am not sold on the Raptors quite yet. I think they have totally over-achieved thus far and are due to come back towards the pack eventually. Well, eventually starts tonight. The Magic are not a good team, I repeat, the Magic are not even a decent team. They are probably one of the worst three teams in the league, playing on the road. This pick makes no sense, that's why you have to roll it!! Sit on the edge of your seat as Aaron Gordon jacks up awkward looking jumpers from the elbow, clanging enough bricks to build a house three little piggies could live in! This is a ballsy pick that if you are smart you may want to throw in a teaser with the Memphis game to ensure a cover.

LAL vs. MEM (-10)

GRINDHOUSE!!! This is my crush team of the season so far, even surpassing my hometown PHX Suns. I love the way they muck up the paint and force teams to do things that they are not comfortable doing. If they can get even a decent amount of scoring from their role players, they are going to be more than okay. This Lakers team on the other side? They suck. They got lucky last night playing against a terrible road team and were barely able to squeeze a win out of that. Tonight? Not so lucky, this one is going to be a defensive clinic as the Grizz force the Lakers into shooting an astonishing 25% from the floor!!

SAC (+6.5) vs. Dallas

The Kings so far this season have not fucked me. That's huge. I am going to keep riding them until they fuck me, much like the strategy I had with the Cavs until they busted that wide open last night. But, the Kings have done enough to retain my trust for now, and I will keep riding them until they screw me.

Sugar's Super Sweet Hockey Lockz

Minnesota (-125) @ New Jersey

New Jersey is having problems finishing games right now.  They have held leads in both of their last 2 games and lost.  My fellow writer BJ AKA Mr. Nutz would like you to believe that 'Sota is the real deal this year.  While I'm hesitant to acknowledge that, largely because they compete in the West, I do think they are superior to almost every Eastern Conference team.  Minnesota on the road.

Colorado @ NY Islanders (-140)

I never bought into the little fling of the islanders being some elite level team.  This isn't the MLB; teams don't go from garbage to elite over a summer.  Except Colorado last year which was all a big misunderstanding. (See current NHL standings). I think the Isles are solid at home though. Watch for Tavares to snip one bar south.

Pittsburgh @ NY Rangers 

OVER 5.5 (EVEN)

This games got OVER graffiti'd all over it.  The Cros show vs Rick Nash and Company? Please. It's free money.  Watch for Malkin to bury, Crosby to have probably 3 assists and a goal while Rick Nash scores 2 or 3 or 4.

Columbus @ Washington (-200)

Honestly I feel bad for the Jackets.  They're suffering from an injury problem that I really haven't seen before in the NHL. Oh wait just kidding yes I have, last year. The Detroit Red Wings went through the same if not worse injury problems and still made playoffs.  Figure it the fuck out Columbus. Stop sucking.  Most likely they won't read the DP blog before their game tonight (their mistake), won't get that message and will still play like a junior team tonight.  Caps roll at home in a much needed confidence booster.

Winnipeg @ Montreal 

UNDER 5 (EVEN)

I don't really know what this Jets' team is all about. They started off horrible then randomly went off a 6 game win streak and took down some of the best teams in the league.  The common theme with their games though is they hold the other team to 1 or 0 goals.  With Montreal struggling to puck the biscuit in the basket I think the under is solid here.

San Jose (-155) @ Florida

Do I really need to sell you on this pick?

Edmonton @ Nashville (-190)

Nashville is solid.  They're veteran led with a good group of young guns.  Edmonton is Edmonton. I think the Preds roll at home. Watch for Mike Fish(er) to bury one and point to his celeb wife, Carrie Underwood, in the crowd.

Dallas (-120) @ Arizona

Dallas is good. Arizona isn't. That's really all there is.

Bobby Catz is Back!

When NBA players find themselves struggling, they tend to return to the basics and simplify things. After taking a night off making my picz, I too was able to get away from the noise and focus on what got me here in the first place. In classic movie soul-searching montage; I went for a walk, fed ducks at the local pond, and even helped a blind lady cross the street. During this time I came to the realization that I had been overthinking all of these picks and not picking from the place where all great picks come from, my balls. So in honor of getting my groove back (like Stella) I will be successfully picking all five of tomorrow's NBA games.

MIL at PHI (-3) (L)
Not much thought here, the home team has won in each of the last four meetings. Look for Thaddeus Young, and MCW to roll for the Sixers.

GSW(-5) at DET (WINNER!)
The Warriors are down Andrew Bogut and David Lee, but on the bright side Jermaine O'Neal has turned back the clock. Look for the hot outside shooting of the dubs to take over this game and for the warriors to continue their hot start to the second half of the season.

LAC (-5) at NO  (WINNER!)
This one has mismatch written all over it. Pelicans struggle to put the ball in the hoop, which coincidentally is the second most important aspect of playing in the NBA (the first is tattoos). Meanwhile Lob City has been rolling lately and are getting contributions across the board. The Clips will rip and run all night in this one.

BOS at Utah (-2.5) (WINNER!)
The Butler reunion. Look for this matchup to be decided by the pupil not the teacher, as Gordon Hayward goes for 33 pts, 15 assists, 6 blocks and 13 steals. Jazz roll, rondo puts up a solid line for the celtics.

DAL (-2) at NY (P)
The Knicks have been struggling bad as of late. Melo is averaging a shit load of points (figures not exact) lately and getting no help from any of his teammates. He admitted recently that the frustration from recent losses has really been setting in lately. Now does that sound like something you want to hear from a team you are putting money on? Me either, Dirk and the Mavs tear that ass up and roll in MSG.