NBA Pod & Picks

The Spread is up for this week! Rob and Brandon break down the early NBA storylines. How good are the Warriors? What's wrong with Houston? Way too early playoff predictions, hot takes and more this week on The Spread!




MIL +3 vs WAS

Word on the street is Bradley Beal will probably miss tonight's game as he is still nursing an injured shoulder. Either way grabbing the points here with Waukee is a good call. Bucks are coming off a hard fought win against the Cavaliers and should be able to translate those positive vibes into a win against the Wizards in chocolate city.

DEN +6 vs NOP
I made the mistake of betting the over the other night when the Nuggets played the Suns, and then watched Jameer Nelson jack up terrible three after terrible three en route to a thirty point blowout loss. You know what helps a team get their confidence back? Playing the always injured lineup that the Pelicans like to trot out. Sure Anthony Davis is playing really well like he was supposed to do, but he is not getting any help, at all...zero. Take the points here.


TOR +10 vs GSW
Upset pick of the day!!! If you listen to the podcast you already know this is my upset special of the day (if you don't, click the link below and treat yourself to some aural pleasure). The Warriors should have lost to the Nets a few nights ago and tonight definitely has the feel of a letdown game for the Dubs. If the Raptors can get just enough defensively out of Kyle Lowry and Demarre Carroll they should have enough to do the unthinkable and beat the Warriors on their home floor no less!!

NBA threesome

NYK +6 vs CHA

I had a feeling the Knicks would show up last night and they did, covering against the Raptors. They haven't been great against the spread in two straight games all season and it definitely won't be easy against the resurgent Charlotte squad formerly known as the B Catz as well. In the end Jeremy Lamb and his bench of college all stars don't scare me enough not to take the points.

IND +3.5 vs BOS

Have you had the chance to watch Paul George play in the last week? If not, do yourself a favor and turn on the next Pacers game. PG has shed that early rust and is looking like the guy who tore up the league two seasons ago. Averaging 30 in his last three games, let's hope he's back to 100%. Meanwhile the Celtics are solid, but who are they really scaring? 

DET +1 vs SAC

Getting a point for a team that I love to bet on against the most dysfunctional organization in sports, sign me up!! The Kings just had a players only meeting to discuss their very poor start, but those never end up with a complete turnaround. Look for the Pistons to out coach, out hustle, and out play the Kings en route to a twenty point victory.

NBA Playoffs Round One

LAC (+5) vs SAS Definitely not ready to spot the Spurs five, when the only difference in the last game was Blake Griffin turning the ball over up two with eight seconds left. It was ugly sure, but it doesn't tell the story of this series. Spurs are way too banged up to be able to handle a pissed off Clippers team. HOU vs DAL (+2) We always have to go with the picks that seem a little too good to be true, and this is definitely one of those lines. Houston has dominated every facet of this series so it was pretty shocking to see H town only favored by 2 here right? Then we realized that Rondo has been sidelined for the rest of the series, remember how good the Mavs were for the first six weeks of the season before him? Look for that team to show up tonight. TOR vs WAS (-5) I don't care if they moved this line all the way down to double digitz, I would still take it. The raptors have been exposed on both ends of the court, and today I read an article about how the GM expects big changes after the season. Never good when those articles come out while the team is actually still playing games! If you want to call what Toronto has done in this series playing that is. J Wall and Co roll in chocolate city.

Monday Macho Madness!

POR (+2.5) @ WAS
Catz does not like this line and that's fair. Portland is certainly a good team, but good enough to beat a Washington that has started to come together after collapsing post All-Star Break? I'm not too sure myself, but when these situations arise, I look at two things: 1) Conference: The Blazers are 24-14 against the West this year on their way to 44 total wins thus far. That is impressive considering the injuries to the PDX roster. 2) Point Discrepancy: Not a very telling stat anymore with all the analytics out there, but still useful. The Blazers are +5 points while the Wizards are barely hanging in there at +1.4. The Wiz have a knack for playing and winning close games, so this one should be a close, playoff environment type of game.

TOR (+5.5) @ IND
This is probably a trap game. I've been all over Toronto since last year, but this year, eh. They have cooled recently and when you take a look at their numbers, something just ain't right. The Raptors are a pitiful 15-20 against teams with a record above .500. 8 teams in the West top that record. Indiana is in the same boat, but they also weren't expected to win shit this year. Either way, 5.5 is too much for Toronto and I think something wonky is going on with Roy Hibbert. ROLL IT!


ATL @ SAC (+5)
This makes me more uncomfortable than leaving my girlfriend in a room with Bill Cosby! Sac Town was BLOWN THE FUCK OUT by Atlanta last week, but Catz brought up a good point. Atlanta is going to be playing Golden State tomorrow or some shit, so they basically don't care about this game. Roll the big Sac!

CHA (+5) vs. UTAH

I know the Jazz have recently become the Seahawks of the NBA with a whole slew of "Johnny come lately" fanz showing up right when the team gets hot and all of a sudden everyone has been down with Rudy Gobert from the beginning. But your boy B Catz isn't quite ready to drink the Jazz kool aid quite yet, especially with the return of Kemba giving the Hornets a boost when they were already playing well. 5 points is way too many points in this one and the Jazz are due for a letdown after their recent hot streak. HORNETZ ALL DAY!

LAL (+18) vs. GSW

This is easily the highest line I've personally seen all year. Based on that principle alone I have to roll it, HAVE TO!! Sure the Lakers are probably going to get smoked out by a Warriors team that's rested and hungry, but they also play Atlanta tomorrow night, so I am expecting them to look past the Lakers just enough to let this line cover. 12 point Warriors win.

OKC (+5.5) vs. DAL

Don't care if they are playing the Monstars or the Globetrotters anytime Rustle, Hustle, and Man-Muscle Wesbtrook (thanks Simmons and Cousin Sal) is getting points, I have to take it. Westy has been a triple double machine as of late, and while KD is expected to miss another week or so, there is no reason to expect his production to slip. Plus if his fuckin teammates could actually hit shots he would have easily had a triple double last game. Thunder not only cover, they win this game outright.

NBA Playoff Picks

BJ and Catz's NBA Elimination Friday Picks

The first round is finally coming to a close, and for basketball fans, it's a bittersweet feeling. The first round of these NBA playoffs has been one of the most exciting, if not the most exciting we have have ever seen. Hell, even the Bobcats had a fun series with the Heat! The collapse of the Pacers, the young Raptors vs the Old Nets, every Western Conference team being good; these are all story lines worth watching, with even more watchable games. Today has the chance to add to the drama with a couple teams on the ropes. Let's get back into some picks with a Créme Fraîche Friday:

TOR at BK (-4.5) (UNDER 192) (WINNER!, WINNER!)

This is kind of the safe/cheap bet for this series. When in doubt, take the old, experienced team and the under. This Nets teams is built specifically for the playoffs and while the Raps have talent and a catchy playoff slogan, they won't be knocking out Paul Pierce, Joey "Iceballz" Johnson and Kevin Garnett  Andray Blatche at home. Take the Nets and lets hope the fatigue of the series and Brooklyn's some times horrible offense kills any big runs this game.   

SA (-160) at DAL (OVER 197.5) (L) (WINNER!)

This one will go into OT! So there is your over, as far as the game itself, 3 points is too much, especially when Dirk and Carlisle are facing elimination at home. That's the thing, you would typically say, no way in hell are the Mavs going out like this! But the Spurs don't play by our rules, they do whatever the fuck they want! So expect Duncan to have 20-10, Parker to have 25 and Ginobli to go on a run by himself to dagger the Mavs. 

HOU at POR (-115) (OVER 213) (WINNER!) (L)

Have the Rockets figured out how to stop LaMarcus Aldridge? Possibly, but I think the fatigue from those first 4 games has really caught up with Catz's favorite Pacific Northwest Product, LMFAO. The Rockets are able to throw a combination of Asik, Jones and Howard at the über consistent big man and it is finally working. The Rockets probably win this one, but the Blazers have been doubted before and I won't be doing it this time. Take the Blazers and watch everyone else as they are shocked when the final seconds tick off a probable double OT game. 

NBA Playoff Picks

BJ's Pretentious Playoff Picks: NBA Style 

Well Catz was bas last night. He admitted it, and I am filling in once again. I'm just going to let you know right now, these playoffs are really weird and entirely unpredictable. That's not going to stop me from giving you a Sunday Surprise Creampie of winners to warm you back up to us here at DP. 

LAC (-2) at GSW (OVER 209.5) (L) (WINNER)
We've seen so many high scoring over time games this year that I am just automatically rolling the over at this point. The Clips are really pissed off at this point. They play for a member of the KKK and have had to fight off a squirrely ass Warriors team that won't go away. The one thing that is separating these teams is Blake Griffin. Blake Superior has been able to dominate these games and I think he will dominate this game in particular so that the Clips can close this series in LA in front of a home town cross burning. 

TOR at BK (-4) (UNDER 193) (L) (WINNER!)
You just can't count the old guys out! Did you guys know Paul Pierce can dunk?! The man has turned back the clock and the fact that his game (mid-range step backs, flat threes and a dash of low post flavor) ages very well has led to a Big PP resurgence! KG sucks, but he's still annoying as shit to play against and is liable to yell and scream to get everyone pumped, so there's that. In all honesty I want the Raptors to win this series, but watching Pierce, ISO Joe and a reinvented Deron Williams is kind of fun! This one plays to the Nets strengths as KG turns in his one good defensive performance of the year and holds the Raps to 33% shooting in the paint.  

HOU at POR (-2.5) (OVER 214) (WINNER!) (WINNER!)
These teams refuse to play defense. It's insane how little they care about an entire facet of the game! On one side you have the Rockets trying to funnel everything to Howard/Asik which doesn't work when guys are shooting threes or taking 15-20 footers. On the other side, the Blazers have "defensive talent" in Matthews and Batum, but honestly those guys aren't that great on D. This makes the over a no-brainer. As for the game, the Blazers let me completely down last game in front of their home crowd. This is why Seattle needs a team. You think Seattle fans are letting Princess Dwight's fragile mental and emotional stability win a game? Hell no! But these dumb ass hipsters in Portland, riding their bikes to the fuckin game with their passive aggressive chants and their "we don't want to be a big city" attitude didn't do shit! Which I guess is my fault or expecting those assholes to do ANYTHING at all, besides sit around and talk about horrible bands and how being vegan is totally not really a religion (except you Portland Vegan Assholes are like Jehova's Witnesses when it comes to spreading the word on retarded diets). GOD I HATE PORTLAND. Anyways, look for the Blazers to bounce back or get bounced out of the playoffs. That's right. If they lose tonight. It's OVER.

Tuesday Mortal Sin Playoff Picks!

NBA Playoff Picks!

Another night of game 2's in the NBA.  In the first game of these series the road team scored the upset in each contest. Tonight, shits gonna swing back in the home teams favor.

ATL (+7.5) at IND over 186.5 (L) (L)
Absolutely a no-brainer. Indiana will probably come out and attempt to play their best game of the season, but this just isn't a championship caliber team. Whatever the fuck is going on in their locker room is obviously carrying over to the court, and the results are terrible. Pacers will probably win, but the Hawks will have another good showing in Indiana.

WAS (+5.5) at CHI under 180 (WINNER) (L)
Again we have another game where I think the home team wins, but keeps it close enough to cover the spread. I think this is a very slow, very low scoring affair that sees both teams struggle to score 80. Chi Town probably gets the win here, but don't be shocked if Chocolate City takes a 2-0 lead going back home. 

BKN (+4.5) TOR under 190.5 (L) (L)
Brooklyn!!! Is in the building! Why bet Brooklyn in this game? Is it their experience? The fact that they have a legit ten man rotation? Nope none of those things, bet the Nets for no other reason besides the fact that they have destroyed Dirty Picks this season. You know the old saying? If you can't beat em, join em. Nets cover and keep this one under.

NBA Playoff Picks: Round 1

NBA Playoffs Round 1

Toronto (-2.5) at Brooklyn (L)
Catz and I have had a real affinity for the Raps this year. I used to be a big DeRozan hater because he couldn't shoot and he played the "Shooting Guard" position. The dick swingin wing man out of Compton has put together a nice career and should shine in these playoffs. On the other hand, Catz and I have been absolutely destroyed by the Nets this year. I think we were 1-19 in games where the Nets were involved. I'm not a big numbers guy, but I don't think that's a good percentage. Either way I think the Raptors have a good home game here and are guided by Kyle Lowry being a bad ass. Wait for Keven Garnett to talk shit to Jonas Valenciunas this game and for JV to punch him in the fuckin face. Raps win, KG loses and Melo's wife still tastes like cereal.

Golden St. at LA Clippers (-7) (L)

Nobody wants to play Steph Curry right now and with Klay Thompson joining him in the back court, the potential for an upset is definitely there. Well it ain't going to happen. Chris Paul is the best point guard on the planet and he needs to get out of this round clean to keep that title. Let's not forget he now has Blake Griffin, who is playing at a very high level, to lean on. No Bogut, too much Jermaine O'Neal and a whole lot of Jamal Crawford!

Atlanta Hawks (+7.5) at Indiana Pacers (WINNER!)
Consulting with Bobby Catz, we decided the best course of action here was to bet against the Pacers. Though I expect them to win this game, I rarely see them cover anything over 5 points. We have to go with the Hawks here and I think they scrap themselves within 6 to cover this one. Actually, I full expect the Hawks to win this one. It will be like 81-77.

Memphis at OKC (-7.5) (WINNER!)
I was really disappointed that the Mavs didn't play OKC. Memphis isn't the kind of team that seems like they can handle Westbrook. I mean, nobody is stopping KD, but when you let Westbrook's crazy ass go off?! That's trouble. I expect a great game from Marc Gasol, but fucking Tayshaun Prince starts for the Grizz.

Free NBA Pick Friday

NBA Free Friday Frenzy Picks

Due to a serious lack of games last night I was only able to give the readers two wins on two picks. Well to make up for that tonight we have another full set of NBA picks in honor of the season being just about done.

NY at TOR (-5) (L)
For a week or so it looked like the Knicks might actually be able to salvage some portion of this miserable season by making the playoffs. Then JR Smith decided to take an NBA record 22 threes against the Heat and not only cost me my sanity, but obliterate their playoff hopes. Although mathematically they are not eliminated, their schedule is very tough from here out starting with tonight's match against the Rapetors. Look for the Raps to show the Knicks how to play some good quality team ball, while dominating them in a warm up for the playoffs in 10 days. Rapes by twenty, Knicks still garbage.

IND (+5.5) at MIA (L)
In what will undoubtedly be my worst pick of the 2013/14 NBA season, I'm going with the Pacers to cover a spread. I'm trying to forget that they are terrible against the spread and have been so bad lately that their coach decided to sit the starting five in order to "rest their legs". With all that said they have kept every game with Miami close this season and there is no reason why they should not be able to tonight either. Look for a 1-3 point win for either team and a nice cover.

CHA(-5) at BOS (L)
The Catz have been my golden goose all season, and a trip to Boston is definitely one more reason to get another egg. Expect a huge night from the law firm of Jefferson, Walker, and Douglas-Roberts as the Catz roll in bean town.

WAS at ORL over 196 (L)
I really do not have a great reason for wanting take the over here I just don't think of either team as a defensive powerhouse, and Orlando plays well at home. It may not be the 145-130 Rockets-Lakers score fest we saw the other night but it should be well into the hundreds.

ATL at BK (-6) (L)
The other night I decided to go with the Nets after getting brutalized by them all season and guess what happened? They lose, but in their defense it was the second night of a back to back after a huge win against the Heat. Now that they have had some rest, I expect them to come out at home and return to their winning ways. Nets roll as the final spot in the eastern conference remains up for grabs at least one more night.

DET at CHI (-10.5) (L)
Detroit has dropped 17 of 19 games on the road. You know where the worst place to travel to when you are attempting to fix your road woes? Chi tizzy! Couple that with the fact that the Bulls are playing their best basketball of the season and you have a recipe for a blowout. Look for Joakim "bow tie" Noah to teach the Pistons about running an offense through a high post and enjoy the win.

PHI at MEM under 199 (L)
Memphis likes to slow the game down and force opponents to use the entire shot clock before taking a bad shot. Watch this happen to the Sixers time and time again tonight as they struggle to not only crack a hundred, but to crack 80!

HOU at MIN over 217.5 (WINNER!)
The Rockets have treated me well lately by betting them to go over no matter what the line is. The Wolves despite the play of rookie Gorgei Dieng are terrible on defense and there is no reason this game won't turn in to a good ole Texas shootout! Look for H-town to score at least 120 at this one goes over.

NO (+15.5) at OKC (L)
Call this one the Catz big ass balls pick of the day. There is absolutely no reason the Thunder shouldn't blow these Pelicans out of the water (see what I did there!) as they cruise to a forty point win. However, I have my fingers crossed for some complacency by OKC as they get ready for the playoffs.

 CLE (-4) at MIL (L)
The Bucks are terrible, the Cavs are not as bad. Take the Cavs and watch Waiters go 1-17 as I curse the city of Cleveland.

PHX at SA under 211 (L)
Two potent offenses that will definitely combine for a solid 250 points on paper. Well luckily for you these games aren't played on paper. Take the under and bite your fingernails off as this game gets real close but stays under.

POR (-350) at UTA (WINNER!)
I like Rip City to win this game, I am just not comfortable enough to take the 7.5 point line. Look for Lillard to drop a couple of stink bombs from deep and for Portland to win by 5 on the road.

GS at LAL under 220.5 (WINNER!)
Another pick that has terrible potential to go crazy wrong. The Lakers are one of the five worst teams I have ever watched play defense and the Warriors aren't exactly 2002 Red Wings. For some reason though I am still feeling like this one fails to live up to expectations. Look for the Warriors to score upwards of 110, but the Lakers will fall short of the century mark and keep this one from going over.

Free NBA Picks!

Catz's Quick Hitz

Last night was a pretty successful night going 4-2 with the only two losses coming on my weakest pick the dreaded over/under. As the old saying goes though when Josh Smith sits out against his former team and causes the total to go under, you have to bet right back on the Pistons! Also because the NBA season is almost over I decided to throw a pick on every game out there because once it's gone, it's gone (at least until next October). Have fun with these and remember just bet the opposite on my over/unders and you will soon be richer than Ole Uncle Moneybags Scrooge McDuck.

DET at CLE (OVER 207) (WINNER!)

BK (-5.5) at ORL (L)

PHI (+13) at TOR (WINNER!)

CHA (+5.5) at WAS (WINNER!)

BOS at ATL (-315) (WINNER!)

CHI at MIN (+2.5) (L)

HOU at DEN (OVER 222.5) (WINNER!)

SAC at POR (OVER 200.5) (L)

OKC (+3) @ LAC (WINNER!)

IND at MIL (+2) (P)

PHX at NO (UNDER 208) (WINNER!)

Miami (+4.5) at Memphips (L)

Free NBA Picks!

Bobby Catz Presents: Friday Meltdown Madness!!!

The final four is this weekend and in honor we decided to inject a little madness into our picks by rolling out our first ever moneyline madness! We have seven moneylines that are all guaruanteed victories and if you are feeling pretty confident throw them all in a parlay and win yourself a cool 20 grand or so.

DEN @ MEM (-470) (WINNER!) 

Same shit, different day here as the Grizz need a win and the Nuggets still suck. Look for a lot of Z-bo and the other Gasol as the Grizz pound away down low on the Nuggets and get a much needed win in their playoff chase.

ORL @ CHA (-543) (WINNER!)

I have a big crush on this Bobcats team. I think its because I am big fan of low post play and watching Al Jefferson is like popping in an instructional video on the subject. Also they have Kemba Walker who stole all of our hearts a few years back with his play in the Big East tournament and NCAA championship run. Look for this one to be a close game, but eventually the Catz will pull away for the victory. 

DET @ BKN (-575) (WINNER!)

Is there a franchise with a bleaker outlook than the Pistons right now? They are a terrible basketball team on the floor, in the front office and even in the stands (seriously people from Michigan suck). I have been going against this Nets team all season and of course because I am going with them now they will undoubtedly lose by 55 to the Pistons.

CLE (+111) @ ATL (L)

Danny Ferry the GM of the Hawks came out this week and said that being the 8th seed in the playoffs is not a goal of this Atlanta team. Concerns with that statement aside, this means that they are not that interested in winning these winnable games. The Cavs have been playing really well lately despite the fact that they are competing for absolutely nothing expect pride. Although the combination of Irving and Waiters has not been great this season, I am expecting big nights from each in a big win for the Cavs.

IND (+101) at TOR (L)

The Pacers have been a gambling nightmare all season long. They rarely cover spreads and look like they might not be the locks that everyone was expecting to make the eastern conference finals anymore. However, for some reason I like them against a very good Raptors team tonight. Look for Paul George to get out of a second half season slump and have a big night against the Rap Show.

DAL (-345) @ LAL (WINNER!)

Another must win game for a desperate playoff team with the number of remaning games rapidly dissapearing. In addition they are riding some momentum after getting a big win over the cross-town Clippers last night. Look for a big game from Dirk Diggler and for the Mavs to lead this one wire-to-wire.

OKC (+118) @ HOU (L)

The James Harden revenge game. The Rockets are favored in this game, I am assuming because the Thunder played a tough one last night against the Spurs. However, I think the big two of Westbrook and Durant will get up for this game and look to show up the Rockets as they continue to fight for that number one seed out west now that the Spurs look human again.

MIL @ CHI (-850) (WINNER!)

Fuck the Bucks.

Tuesday Trash Picks

Free NBA Picks

Toronto Raptors (-3) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (WINNER!)

The playoffs are approaching and in the shit-tastic circus that is the Eastern Conference, almost anyone can grab a spot. The Cavaliers, hell bent on grabbing the 8th seed so that they can get bitch slapped out of the first round, need every home win possible to stay in play. As they say in the business, "when you want to get in the playoffs, trade for a big white center." Which is exactly what the Cleve did.  The Raptors on the other hand have remained steady throughout the year. The Raptors shouldn't have any trouble keeping Mike Brown's genius at bay as they cruise to another victory. Raps by 7.