NBA Top 3 Locks Wednesday

PHI +7.5 vs ORL

Have you seen the Sixers play lately?? Ever since they traded for Ish Smith they actually have a competent NBA team on a nightly basis! It's insane what a few veteran players will do for a squad isn't it?? Love this line for two reasons; the Magic don't blow anyone out and the Sixers are 4-8 since trading for Ish!! Taking these points all day, and wouldn't be surprised if Philly pulls the upset.

OKC -9.5 vs CHA

The Hornets were able to turn things around on MLK after a two week long nose dive, but that only happened in double OT and Kemba had to drop 52!! Tonight they get to see what a real basketball team looks like in the Thunder. Rus and KD continue to be two of 5 best players in the league and the rest of their shitty role players haven't looked nearly as shitty of late. Thunder win this one in a rout.

CHI +7 vs GSW

Hopefully the Bulls are able to show that an eastern conference contender can actually execute down the stretch, sorry Bron. Dubs had everything and then some go right against Cleveland, look for them to take a step back and lose a close one tonight in Chi town.

3 Early NBA Storylines and Trends

Three Early NBA Trends and Storylines

We are about 20 games into the 2015-16 NBA season, and despite the Golden State Warriors dominating the court and the headlines, this year's edition of the Association has many underrated plot twists and turns to keep even casual fans interested. With the usual stars out in full force (LeBron, Curry, Durant, Davis, Szczerbiak...) and some young blood added to the mix (Wiggins, Towns, Skinny Kyle Lowry) the NBA looks to be in good hands going forward. Today we'll take a look at some of the story lines dominating the league and delve deep into reasons, longevity and hype factor that drive each story. 

1) Golden State EVERYTHING

MVP already? Crown his ass.

I don't care if this is the most talked about story in the NBA and possibly sports right now. What the hell are you supposed to do when one team has effectively broken a sport?! As of right now the Warriors are 21-0 and Steph Curry is running away with the MVP vote (while also jumping about 3 spots per day in GOAT conversation).  Let's start with league MVP Curry. He is averaging 32 ppg, 6 apg and 5 rpg while shooting 53% from the field, 46% from three and 93% from FT. The only thing we DO know about stopping Steph Curry is, you can't stop Steph Curry! So how the hell does this work, and who has a shot at beating this team? Well the best thing I can tell you is, it's the regular season. The Warriors are going to have to play a good team from the Western Conference from the second round on in the playoffs. A team with depth like the Los Angeles Clippers might have the chance to hang with the Warriors for 7 games. Much like the Spurs last few years, Golden State relies on the pick and roll to create matchup problems, leading to wide open threes. The one team that caused the Spurs problems during their latest run was the OKC Thunder. The Thunder were able to matchup with their small ball lineup and with their insane athelticism (Russell at the one, Durant at the four and Ibaka at the 5) the Thunder were able to switch on every screen and slow down San Antonio. These two teams could eventually foil the GS run this season, but it's all about winning a seven game series in the playoffs. Golden State has dominated the regular season thus far, but could one of these teams catch them in the playoffs? Probably not, but let's slow this train down before we eliminate every team out West.

Can it be sustained?
Going undefeated? No! But Golden State will certainly finish with the one seed barring some massive injury or suspension.

Draymond has been causing matchup issues all year...he knows

The Big Question:
"What is the rest of the league going to do to slow this team down?"
Well a few things have been tested, and failed. The Clippers and Cavs both tried sending double teams at curry, but he's too good of a passer (as is the rest of the team) to be bothered by that. The Clippers recently tried getting physical with Curry as Chris Paul hounded him for an entire half. Turns out that didn't work! Not only is Curry stronger now, but this is not a one dimensional team! If Curry is getting "roughed up" he's going to become a creator and find other ways to dominate the game. So what's next? Foul him while he's inside the three point line? I don't think so. The only way a team will have a chance is if they go equally as small and are able to switch every screen. Let Draymond take 10 footers and drive to the hoop one on one maybe? Just don't let him get the ball off a pick and pass out a wide open corner three. Free layups, no threes? It's radical, but it might just work!

2) Paul George and the Indiana Pacers

The video of George's leg breaking should never be viewed

The fact that Paul George is playing basketball is great. He was the hot young superstar that was going to be the next guy to dethrone LeBron James. Hell, he had passed up Kevin Durant as the number two guy in the league. Well all that went out the window during a Team USA exhibition game in which PG's leg snapped in half in one of the most gruesome injuries since Shaun Livingston did the same. Well, not only is YG Trece back, he's better than ever!!! George is averaging 27 ppg, 8 rpg and 4 assists as well as playing All NBA First Team defense. Oh and he just dropped a career high 48 on the Utah Jazz. Having George back and dominant is great for the league and fans of silky smooth scorers around the world. With George's suprising play comes another suprise: The Indiana Pacers.

The Pacers have opened the season as a top four team in the East while picking up wins against the Bulls, Clippers and Heat. Head coach Frank Vogel has moved his squad from the slow, plodding defense first vanilla fest to a run and gun, three shooting, deep benched machine! With PG at the helm, a slew of scorers to help take the load off (Monta Ellis, Rodney Stuckey) a resurgent CJ Miles and a solid defensive big man rotation, the Pacers could be one move away from once again being a thorn in LeBron's side.

Can it be sustained?

Not sure. Will PG be playing at the same level at the 60 game mark? Can guys like CJ Miles and Monta Ellis be depended on for a whole season? Something tells me this team is going to hit a rough patch around the All Star break, but maybe they could pull together a trade to add another name to this squad.

The Big Question:

"Can you trust Paul George after his last dance with superstardom?"

2013-14 was a rough year for George, the Pacers and everyone else involved. The collapse was spurred on by Roy Hibbert turning into the worst player in NBA history, Lance Stephenson doing all the Lance Stephenson things you don't want Lance Stephenson doing (you know what I mean) and Paul George just kind of fading into the background. After being anointed the second best player in the NBA, PG let a lot of people down with his very average play during the second half of that season. He seemed to return to form during the playoffs, but just couldn't reach that next level when his team needed it during the conference finals against LeBron and the Heat. That series culminated with PG scoring 7 points in a 23 point blowout to end the season. The basketball world might need to see George go off in the playoffs before accepting him as their basketball savior again. 

3) The Eastern Conference Sludge Pool of Mediocrity

Derek Rose is a big part of the Bulls identity crisis

Early on this season, it seems like the East has finally gained some ground on the West. Well...maybe. If anything, things have just gotten muddled and confusing. The Raptors may have taken a step back, the Wizards DEFINITELY took a step back, the Bucks haven't made a leap, the Celtics, Magic and Pistons are fun, young upstarts that pose no threat as a 7 or 8 seed and the Hornets are owned by Michael Jordan. Hell, if you look at the top of the Conference, the Cavs aren't a "sexy" team by any means (especially with the injuries). The Bulls are going through an identity crisis at the moment and the Heat have some glaring weaknesses despite a strong roster. So what the hell are supposed to make of all this?

Can it/will it be sustained?
History tells us yes. The Cavs are going to be at the top and barring some crazy meltdown/locker room cancer issue, the Bulls will be too. The Heat should be in the top 3 as well, but you can't count them in because of health issues. It looks like another top heavy year in the East.

The Big Question:
"Will the East correct itself?"
Teams like the Raptors and Wizards have too much star power to be middle of the pack in the East. Those two teams should be competing for a three seed at least, but it appears that coaching is getting in the way of that. Whether it be via trade or coaching change, one of these teams will compete for the three seed and have people talking by the All Star break.

NBA Friday Freak Fest

BKN +3.5 vs. NYK

NYC is in for a big weekend with tonight's match up in the Garden; followed by the Jets and Giants squaring off at Metlife on Sunday to decide once and for all which franchises truly own the Big Apple. Alright, so maybe that applies a little more in the NFL than the NBA since they play all the time, but either way the one thing we can all agree on is the NHL again dropped the ball (puck) by not scheduling the Rangers/Islanders to make this a three league effort. Oh well NHL, have fun fighting the MLS for that fourth spot in the pro league power rankings the rest of the season. Love grabbing the points here, Brooklyn is a surprisingly feisty team currently riding a 2 game win streak against a Knicks team that is equally hit or miss on any given night. Whenever you have a toss up game you have to take the points, especially when that game is a battle of New York supremacy and it features twin brothers (Robin and Brook Lopez) starting on opposite teams.

MIL +6.5 vs. DET

You know if given this many points in a game featuring two teams that are basically the same I am forced to take it. It's like when you give a dog a piece of meat; it doesn't matter if that dog just finished off a double steak bowl with extra guacamole from Chipotle, he's gonna eat the meat. The Bucks are way better on paper than they are on the floor, but they should be able to do enough to keep this game close against a very top heavy Detroit squad.

HOU +5.5 vs. DAL

If you take the records out of the equation here and based this squad on the talent each team has, Houston would be favored by at least 4 or 5 points. I just don't think Dallas has the legs to be able to grind out a victory here. I'll tell you how this game is going to go. Dallas comes out firing and opens up a huge lead in the first half, only for that horrible Houston offense of James Harden driving to the basketball and throwing his hands in the air leading to 30 free throws for him in the second half as they come back and win by 4 in the end. Its not going to be pretty, but it will get the job done, like a chicken burrito with no guac from Chipotle (we aren't even sponsored by Chipotle, I'm just really hungry).

CLE -4.5 vs. NOP

We switched our game up recently and started throwing one chalk pick in with our usual points grab just to balance things out and fluff up the overall record. Most nights, including yesterday, we end up going 3-1 which looks way better than the 2-1 that was the norm for the first few months of the season. Tonight the chalk pick is the NBA present against the NBA future; aka the match up between LeBron and Anthony Davis. And while they won't guard each other on the floor, you can bet their legacies will be measured against one another for the rest of eternity. The Cavs are coming off a game where LeBron turned the ball over 9 times and you know he won't let that happen again, especially against a weak back court like New Orleans. The Pelicans have gotten healthier lately with the return of Tyreke Evans, but they aren't close to being back to the team that snagged the 8th seed last season. Grab the points and watch LeBron do to Davis; what Kobe used to do the King, tell him "look here young blood, it ain't quite your time to run the league" maybe next year for the Brow

NBA King Kristaps Picks

ORL +8.5 vs CLE

This line could end up going really bad for both me and Orlando. LeBron seems to be super motivated by what the Warriors are doing down in San Fran, and despite major loss to injury already this season, the Cavs are playing a premiere level. Meanwhile the Magic are learning the hard way that Scott Skiles is not messing around and I believe almost every major player on this team has found themselves on the bench in the fourth quarter this season. I'm going to take my chances with a depleted Cavs team, but this is by no means a lock.

SAC +4 vs CHA

I have no idea how the Kings were able to turn it around after getting off to a horrible start the first ten games. George Karl and Cousins have a very strange love/hate relationship; where they get in to fights constantly, but it seems like they respect what each other bring to the table. Well, at least Karl does, it's unknown if Boogie respects anyone ever. Look for the Boogie train to have a monster of a game tonight against a slow, getting older by the day Al Jefferson.

NYK +4.5 vs MIA

Uh oh!! You know you've made it big time when opposing teams are calling you out before the game. So welcome to the show Porzingis!! The Heat came out and said lets see how he does when a team actually guards him, which is both a shot at the Zinger and all the other teams in the league apparently. Because of all this extra attention paid to shutting down the Zinger, tonight is the night Melo goes off for close to 50 against the team  that should trade for him before the end of the season. Maybe tonight's masterpiece of Melo will be enough to convince Riley to pull the trigger. Either way, Knicks win this game and the Zing train rolls on.

NBA Favs Night

SAC vs MIA -9.5

You probably won't be able to bet on this because the suspension of Boogie Cousins was announced a few hours ago, but if you can find a site that will take your action, throw it big on the Heat. Sacramento would beat very few teams in this league without their all star center, let alone the best defensive team in the league that features an all star center of  their own. Look for Whiteside to have himself another block party and for the Kings to fall back to earth after a nice little run post the players only meeting.

MIL vs CLE -10.5

LeBron is in pure F U mode to his own team!! He hates playing with Kevin Love and called his entire team out following an OT loss to these same Bucks a few nights ago. Honestly though there was nothing these Cavs needed more than getting a wake up call from their leader. I expect them to come out and treat this game like it was the Eastern Conference Finals game 6. Love goes for a double double and LeBron does his usual MVP things as the Cleveland faithful are finally able to R-E-L-A-X.

GS -7.5 vs LAC

I know...taking all favorites goes everything in my life that I stand for. It makes me a little sick to my stomach to even type it up, but it's our best shot at continuing the hot streak from last night (3-0). CP is out again for the Clips and they just aren't the same team without their all star guard. I wish I could be ballsy and predict the winning streak of the Dubs to end again (Toronto almost had them!!!) but it won't. Warriors win this one big.

NBA Weekend Money Grab

MIN +7 vs IND

Love absolutely everything about this Wolves team. Missing Rubio is definitely affecting them because they are forced to play Andre Miller heavy minutes when he should have retired four years ago. Wiggins has made the leap though, and getting this many points against a team that struggles to score? Sign me up.

NYK +6.5 vs CLE

If you ever find me on a street corner begging for money, it's because I have a hard time separating my love of New York sports teams and actual good bets. Lost big on the Jets last night and am just crazy (or stupid) enough to double up on the Knicks against the defending eastern conference champs. Spare some change?

NOP +9.5 vs TOR

Imagine if the Pelicans actually fielded a complete line up on a night to night basis? Might they have a shot at the 8th seed. Yep. Would Anthony Davis look like the MVP candidate he is rather than the guy having to do too much for a undermanned team? Yep. Oh well. Stupid bet here, but I'm grabbing points on the brow.

NBA Finals Preview

Catz:

Cleveland in 5

   All this week, I'm sure all you have heard is about how Steph Curry is the greatest shooter that has ever graced the earth, and the people in Nor Cal probably already have their championship t-shirts printed up right? It's a done deal to most! But not for Bobby Catz. People are really underestimating what LeBron James is doing/has done over the last five years. He's made 5 straight finals. Detractors simply point out that he is doing it in the East, but in reality what the fuck does that mean?? I don't care if he made five straight finals in the Chinese basketball league, its still impressive no matter which way you look at it. You know why? Because its basically impossible to beat this dude in a best of five series. Sure you might get a game, you may even get a series lead, but unless your name is Greg Popovich and you have a fantastic San Antonio team, you aren't beating him in the finals either. And don't even try to come at me with the Mavericks winning in 2012. They were extremely well coached as well and James had not quite yet learned what it took to be considered a champion. The problem for the Warriors? This Cleveland team knows exactly what they need to do in order to win and they do it very, very well. 

   I honestly do not think this series is going to be that close. Curry and Thompson are fantastic shooters possibly two of the best of all time, but they don't know what it takes to win on the biggest stage quite yet. Every great player has to go through a loss in the finals before they breakthrough. This series reminds me a lot of the one a few years ago between OKC and Miami, also featuring the King. Everyone liked the hot shooting Thunder in that one and what happened? Harden no-showed, Durant and Westbrook struggled and after losing game one, Miami rallied to win four straight. That is exactly what I think happens in this series. The first game will be the hot shooting Warriors getting a win after they go 20-22 from three or something crazy and then the next four games will be a showcase for the cerebral assassin LeBron as he averages a triple double and gets his third championship ring to add to his collection.

Mr. Nutz

Golden State in 6

Over the past week we have seen an influx of Cleveland supporters pile their opinions on the "who will win" dumpster fire for the Finals. Well I'm here to tell you this is the real world, not some fantasy land where all our dreams come true and the underdog always has a chance. The Warriors were not just the best team in basketball this year, they were absolutely dominant. That dominance comes from an offense that can not be slowed or stopped, no matter what different matchups you try to exploit. Much like the Spurs teams of the last 3 years, the Warriors have an exceptionally strong bench to back up one of the best starting 5's in the NBA. Hell, I don't even know who technically "starts" as the minute distribution for this team lends itself to about 7 different guys being starters. But when you can rotate guys like Andre Iguodola, Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, David Lee and Shaun Livingston in and out of your lineup, you're not skipping a  beat! 

All this bench fire power only hurts the Warriors' opponent, the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers. People are trying to hype up LeBron James as some sort of basketball alien that was plopped down during the playoffs to win the whole thing by himself. Well, he's not. He's been to 5 straight finals right? Well he hasn't won them all, that's for damn sure. Oh and this time, he's relying on JR Smith, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov to get him to the promised land? No fucking thank you. I will take a broken D Wade and a garb salad surprise Heat roster over the reject Knicks any day. LeBron is exhausted. Not only from carrying this team through the EC playoffs, but from playing non stop Finals games. He's going up against the best D in the league, while chasing around someone from the best ball movement offense in the league. Good luck LeBron, this is just another loss in your finals column.  

ECF ELIMINATION!!

ATL +7.5 vs. CLE

I think the strongest evidence for taking the points here is what happened last night in the Warriors/Rockets series. The Rockets had been getting their ass kicked the entire series and managed to erupt (thanks in large part to Harden dropping a 40 burger on them) to a surprise game 4 victory. The only difference is that the Rockets were fortunate enough to be at home (albeit a very, wet home) and the Hawks are looking to steal in Cleveland. Also going against the Hawks? LeBron wants to end this series and enjoy 9 days of rest while the West figures out their representative. Those two things point to an absolute Cavs blowout right?? Not so fast. Consider this. The Hawks are pissed, they are on the verge of getting swept and have been embarrassed by future journeyman Matthew Dellavadova in two straight games now. I think they come out with just enough pride to get the job done tonight, and force the Cavs to take this one back to the ATL in order to end the series. Sorry LeBron, you don't get another two week vacation to get healthy before the Warriors roll in for the title fight. 

 

Game 4, Game Winners!

ATL  vs. WAS (+4.5)

"I CALLED GAME!!!"' With three words Paul Pierce immortalized himself on the Mount Rushmore of sports quotes after his buzzer beating "game shot" Saturday night. And I'm supposed to think that the Hawks are just going to waltz in to a fired up Wizard's chambers (still taking suggestions on that one) and swing the momentum and the series back to the dirty dirty?? I don't think so, as a matter of fact I'm even gonna go out on a limb with my own postgame proclamation, "I CALL SERIES". Wizards win and go up 3-1.

MEM (+5) vs. GSW

Yet another series where the team up 2-1 can't even get a little respect?? Has Vegas even watched any of these games?? Z-Bo and Gasol are owning the number one ranked D from the regular season, and Tony Allen is irritating the splash brothers like a mean blister on their taints. I really think Memphis has a shot to win this series, but tonight I predict they lose on a last second three by Curry, keeping with the recent buzzer beater trend.

Solo NBA Picks

MR. NUTZ

GS (+3.5) @ CLE 
Last I checked, the Western Conference was the most dominant force in basketball; LAST I CHECKED, the Golden State Warriors are 44-10 and leading said conference. So can someone please explain why they are getting the points?! It doesn't make sense and I can happily give the points tonight knowing I have Steph and Klay to rely on. People are getting a little too pumped on the Cavs lately, especially their D! If anyone knows D, it's the fellas here at Dirty Picks. Hell, we put the D in Dirty!!!....picks... Anyways, the Warriors' ball movement is not some run of the mill Eastern Conference bullshit. The Dubs use superior spacing and elite shooting to get great looks. The Cavs might be better on defense post-trade deadline, but they ain't no 2003 Pistons. Look for a lot of threes and a Warriors win tonight.

SOOOoooOooOOOoOOOPer Sunday Picks!

After rebounding fairly well last night (2-1), I've decided to stop telling my followers to go against whatever picks I make in order to win. With that being said, don't be mad if you end up taking out that second mortgage on your home because of the Bobcat.

IND at CLE (+5.5) (WINNER!)
The rational NBA fan looks at this game, sees the Pacers at the top of the Eastern Conference and the Cavs at the bottom. Easy pick right? Well don't be so quick there skippy, the Pacers are one of the worst teams at covering spreads despite their overall record. They consistently let teams not named the Heat hang around and have rarely blown teams out. On the flip side the Cavs front office has to have noticed that the Waiters/Irving combo is not going to work going forward. Each guard plays noticeably better when the other one sits, and if you don't think they regret not taking Oladipo this past summer then you don't know the NBA. Expect that Cavs to keep this one close even though it scares the shit out of me to back a team that can't even make the playoffs in the Leastern conference.

MIN (+4) at BK (L)

You know the old saying; fool me once shame on me, fool me twice, fuck Sugar (sorry bud). I've consistently gotten my picks for and against the Nets wrong. Either I back them because I acknowledge they are a solid ten man team and they get blown out at home, or I say I can't support a team that starts Shaun Livingston at shooting guard and they beat the Heat three times in a season! Seriously there is no winning when it comes to picking Nets spreads. So if I were you I would go to a bank, take out a loan for 35,000g's and place it all on the Nets, because this pick is sure to come back and bite me in the ass. If you still want to pick the Wolves just know that in my upcoming article on the ten biggest disappointments of the NBA season I have Ricky Rubio ranked seventh. Good luck out there! 

TOR (-4.5) at ORL (WINNER!)
This line looks a little too low for my liking that makes me think Vegas is just waiting for people to jump all over the Raptors only to watch them get blown out by thirty. However we have had success backing the Raptors all season and I'm not going to stop now. Look for Kyle Lowry to put on a clinic for rookie of the year candidate Victor Oladipo as the Raptors win big in the Magic kingdom.


BJ's Bonus Grind Pick

Memphis @ Portland (Under 189) (L)
Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives right now. I expect a nice Grit n Grind type of game from Memphis, while Portland goes to its bread and butter of LaMarcula (He'll suck the life out of your defense!!) in the post. Portland likes to get up and down and give up a shit ton of points, but I think their will be a limited amount of possessions. Either way, Bread n Butter vs Grit n Grind should be awesome!

NBA Picks

Bob's Thursday Picks from the Balls

MIA at NY (UNDER 202) (WINNER!)
Saying that the Knicks have issues right now is like saying the recent legislation passed in Arizona is a little controversial, underselling it a touch. Unlike that legislation though the Heat do not discriminate. They have rounded into form lately and their last two wins have been huge (OKC, and CHI w/o Lebron). Plus we get to see Lebron wear a facemask, which if you remember the last time he wore one he murdered Damon Jones. Look for Lebron and Battier to hound Melo into a poor shooting night, thus keeping the Knicks under a hundred which will get you the win.

BK at DEN (UNDER 201.5) (WINNER!)
Brooklyn is an old team, traditionally old teams do not play well on the second night of a back to back on the road (unless you are the Spurs). The nuggets are playing like a team that is not on the same page as their coach Brian shaw. Also, without Ty Lawson their offense has struggled mightly, the other night against Portland I watched them post up Kenneth Faried on six straight possessions and let him "go to work" needless to say he did not clock in any overtime hours that night (business joke!!!). Look for a sloppy game that ends up somewhere in the mid eighties to low nineties and you got yourself a couple of victories.

Bob's Drunk and In Love OpEd

 LeBron vs KD

  Why am I continuously reading articles about how Kevin Durant has passed up LeBron James, or how it's KD's league and LeBron needs to move over? Am I missing something? Do we really think Durant has become better than one of the top 6 players of all time? Is Durant even better than the Kobe we saw from the early nineties? 

  Don't get me wrong, I love watching Kevin Durant play basketball. Do I think he's a great player? Absolutely! Top 25 all-time already? No doubt. Better than LeBron? Not even a conversation worth having. Sure Durant has had a better half of the season and his offensive game is the best currently in the league. When you play basketball though there is an entire other component to being a great player, defense! LeBron is an incredible defensive player, not good or great even, but incredible. He can guard everyone in the league, from centers to point guards. Look at what he did to Derek Rose the year Rose was named MVP! 

  More recently, remember the series defining block he had on Tiago Splitter in last years finals?? Durant is a solid defender, who has been continually improving on that side of the ball, but do we really ever see KD getting to the LeBron level of shutting people down or being able to guard positions 1-5? If Durant would have contested that Tiago Splitter dunk attempt, he either would have broke his arm or ended up on a poster hanging in some 12 year olds bedroom.

  I could spend another 25 paragraphs talking about how LeBron's passing is exponentially better than KD's, but I feel like this argument begins and ends with defense. Is Durant great? Yes, his combination of skill and size makes him the best offensive player since Jordan (although Kobe, Shaq, Iverson, and even T-Mac would have something to say about that, but that's another article) and if he continues to improve he could crack the top ten all time someday. Until Durant becomes an elite defender that changes the way offenses approach the game against him this conversation is over. LeBron is a complete player, the likes of which rarely come along in the NBA. Argument over, have fun watching LeBron hoist the only trophy that matters this summer!

Free Picks

Tuesday NBA Picks

Bob's Tuesday Garbage Picks

Heat (-3.5) at Suns

   Usually when you are wondering what team to bet on, you think about the stars. In this case, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Goran Dragic should swing the balance of this game right? Well that's more screwed up than Jamarcus Russell at a Three Six Mafia concert.

  Today we focus on one player who will impact this game outside of the usual suspects and give the Miami Heat a win and cover against the team which I hold season tickets to (what's up ladies: 360.515.1152): Gerald "dunk nasty" Green. 

  Coming off a very disappointing season in Indiana, he has rebounded quite well for the Suns this year.  Shooting a respectable 43% from the field and 37% from deep doesn't exactly awe you from a numbers standpoint but, he's also doing that while jacking up almost 8 three's a game. If he hits half of those threes a game, the suns can compete with anybody in the NBA. In addition he is an incredible dunker and his electrifying in traffic dunks hype up the crowd and the home fans to almost riot level mentalities. On the other hand the old Gerald has reared his ugly head at times this season. His passing hasn't improved since he entered the league (2005!!) and his career average of 2.0 assists shows his lack of playmaking. Couple that with mind numbingly dumb reach fouls and complete lack of understanding of game situations and you are left with a player that takes a lot more off the table than he brings. 

Tonight, I have Gerald getting frustrated by Dwayne Wade on the defensive end leading to him jacking unnecessary triples on offense and never finding a rhythm, leading to crucial turnovers in a game that will come down to a few possessions. Look for this game to be close throughout and for the heat to pull away in the final five minutes of the fourth to cover the 3.5 (WINNER!)

BJ's Dirty Pick's for Dirty Chicks

Atlanta vs Chicago (UNDER 186.5)

This game is worse than Andrew Wiggins' star potential. The best thing about it will be Kyle Korver keeping his streak alive with another three, followed by the Atlanta fans immediately leaving the arena. Why take the under? Atlanta is the type of team that will score big when playing a faster paced team like Miami or San Antonio. They also tend to clinch their buttcheeks when playing against defensive teams like Indiana or Memphis. Chicago on the other hand ONLY plays at their pace. In fact, I don't think they are capable of any scoring anomalies. Take the easy under and treat yourself to a nice Hungry Man Dinner. (WINNER!)