NBA Warriors Streak

CHA +9 vs GSW

Big Al is out tonight for the Hornets, which means the Warriors will roll to an easy victory and extend their streak right? Actually, playing without their slow, old center should serve as a benefit to Charlotte as they will be able to go small and match what the Warriors do best aka the Run N Gun. I'm tempted to go all out here and pick Charlotte straight up to end the streak, but I think the Dubs ultimately pull this one out in the fourth.

NOP +3.5 vs HOU

Tyreke Evans returned last night and went off for the Pelicans!! He scored 20 points, dropped ten dimes and had 5 rebounds!! This is exactly what the Pelicans needed to get back in the Western Conference playoff race. In other news the Rockets still suck, end of story.

TOR +3.0 vs ATL

Two middle of the pack Eastern Conference teams that's essentially a toss up game. Here at DP, whenever we feel like a game could go either way, it's almost always a good bet to grab the points. So let's hope Lowry and Derozan can do just enough against the Hawks backcourt to steal this game in Hotlanta.

MIL +11.5 vs SAS

This just in, the Spurs despite being the second best team in the West (record-wise) are having trouble putting points on the board. They are averaging under 100 points on the season after finishing last season at 103 ppg! While this hasn't stopped the San Antonio Express train from rolling, it has stopped them from blowing a lot of teams out. Meanwhile the Bucks have put on a defensive clinic lately and might have turned the corner after an early roller coaster of wins and losses. Spurs should win this one with little to no trouble, but I expect a sloppy 92-85 type slugfest.

NBA Turkey Hangover

LAL +1 vs. PHI

WHAT??? Why would I pick the team that has lost 27 straight games and have their best shot all year of actually winning?? Because of Kobe "Bean" Bryant that's why. You know Kobe is filming a documentary about his final season right? You know he just announced that he is officially retiring right? I don't think this could have set up any better for the legend. He is on a farewell tour, and what place could possibly be better for him to kick off the show?? His hometown!!! The place where he was born, and later returned to dominate at the high school level. Kobe may not have much left in the tank, but he definitely has one of those great games for the people of Philly to remember him by tonight. He may not play for two weeks after this one, but he is going to do just enough to propel the Lakers to victory and keep the Sixers winless.

ORL +2 vs. MIN

Apparently Vegas does not like to watch the Magic play, because that's the only reason I would imagine they aren't favored in this game. The Wolves are solid sure, and they have some young talent playing way beyond their years, but the Magic are going to make the playoffs in the East behind a solid core and tremendous defense. And you know what they say, defense wins games on the road in Minnesota, it's a saying as old as dirt!

MEM +1 vs. NO

The Grizzlies are 7-3 in their last ten and they got Z-bo back after he missed the last five games with a bum knee. Sure, you could argue that the absolute worst match up in the league for the ground-bound front line of Memphis is Anthony Davis and you would probably be correct. But, from everything I am hearing the expectation is New Orleans is going to find new life thanks to the return of Tyreke Evans and Norris Cole!! Yeah, doesn't seem so enticing when you actually say those words out loud does it? Grind house gets another dub as they continue to rebound from a very slow start.

DAL -1 vs. POR

This pick is really built on one simple premise. The Blazers do not have enough firepower without Lillard to win this game. He is questionable with a stomach virus, and if he sits the Mavericks win, it is as simple as that. If that isn't enough to get you excited (sexually) throw in the fact that Wes Matthews is making his return to Rip City and is super mad because the Blazers did not even offer him a contract when he hit free agency last summer! Mavericks should be able to put this one away early, especially if Damien is out again.

NBA Friday

On the season: 5-4. Last night: 2-1

MIA +5.5 at CLE

It's Mr. Nutz here filling in for Catz as he gets pounded out like a mallard duck at work. This is a marquee matchup between the two best teams in the East. While the Heat feature some incredible depth to supplement their two All Star talents, the Cavs bring the best player on Planet Earf and Kevin Love to the party.  This is an easy pick. The Cavs can beat the shit out of all the below average Eastern conference teams and look like the Show Time Lakers, but against good teams, they need their big three. With Kyrie out (Shumpert too) this team will have to play LeBron and love 40mpg against good teams. The Heat have too much talent, depth and coaching to lose this one. And Amare is back!!

OKC at ORL (+8)

This line is borderline offensive!! Almost as offensive as the OKC bench!!! Anyways, the Magic are my favorite young team in the league. After spending a year with Never to Coach Again Jacque Vaughn, the Magic have finally found a semi competent coach. Scott Skiles has shown early that he wants his team to be gritty, fast and DAWG opposing guards completely out!  I love the fact that he can throw Elfrid, Oladipo and Aaron Gordon on Westbrook while still having the option of sticking Tobias Harris on Durant. Vucevic is a guaranteed double double and we haven't even started talking about super Mario!! Remember Ja Rule back in the day? He'd always yell "Muuuurrrrrdaaaa." Well that's all I hear when future sixth man of the year Mario HEZZZOONNJJJJAAA is draining threes all over Durants weak ass tonight!!!................HEZZZOONNNJJJJAAA

UTA at PHI +7.5

I'm a fan of the Jazz and what they've built over the last few years. They've made smart picks, invested time in Favors and have been pretty patient with the whole process. Philly, on the other hand, is terrible. They've been patient, yes, but they don't seem to have an actual plan. Their best draft pick thus far has been Jahlil Okafor who opened his NBA career with a dominant 26 point performance. Though Nerlens Noel was a solid get, he's not exactly a game changer and don't get me started on their lack of guards. With that being said, I think Utah is getting too much respect this year. They need to prove that they can be a playoff team in the next two months. Philly has nothing to lose and I think Okafor and Noel can give opposing defenses a lot of trouble (Noel put up 14/12/3 the other night). It may be the old school way, but I think philly keeps this one close. 

POR +4.5 at PHX

Well this is the Catz special. I'm a Blazers fan and he's a Suns homer so it's going to be rough year for both of us. In the end it's just about taking the points here and hoping you get lucky. 

Catz & Nutz NBA trap jobs

CLE +4 vs TOR

Hmm... I feel like if I went to a vegas sports book to place this bet, admiral Ackbar would jump out from behind a corner yelling at me "it's a trap!!" But I just can't see myself living in a world where you don't take points on a team that could very well win a championship this year. As we saw last night it only takes one of their big three to go off and steal a game, and ton has a Kevin love/ Lebron monster game potential against the Kings of the north.

LAL (+3.5) at BOS

The Lakers might suck, but so does Boston. Despite a late game collapse against the Wiz. Kobe & Swaggy are scoring machines and Boston won't be able to keep up! I also love that Kobehad been a. Beast in Boston throughout his career