NBA Playoffs Round 2

NBA Round 2 Preview

Well we just wrapped a great round one of the NBA playoffs and, honestly, looking at the end results, one would say that not a lot happened. The Pacers struggled to put the Hawks away, the West is insanely talented with very little separating all 8 playoff teams, and Heat are good. A few of the "surprises" we encountered? Well, the Portland Trailblazers taking it to Houston was a big one, not unpredictable, but big. How about the Hawks legitimately almost knocking the Pacers out? I mean we expected Indiana to struggle, but at time they looked like a lottery team in the first round. The Bulls elimination wasn't anything special, they just don't have enough talent at the moment. Most importantly, the Donald Sterling drama really turned this first round into WWE levels of entertainment! I mean, we already had great games and storylines, but a whacky, racist owner?! Who saw that coming?! Let's take a look back at the first  round and what we predicted.

Round 1 Predictions Recap

(1) Indiana vs. (8) Atlanta

Catz and I both had this one with the Pacers winning in 6. For some reason, it feels like we got this one completely wrong, but in the end, Bird's Gang advanced. 

(3) Clippers vs. (6) Warriors

Once again, Catz and I agreed and both of us took Clips in 5. Come on! Who saw the racist owner thing happening?! Nobody called that!

(1) Spurs vs. (8) Mavericks

Catz just hated the Mavs this year, so he called for a Spurs sweep. I thought it would go at least six, but he talked me into going down to Spurs in 5. We probably shouldn't underestimate Carlisle and Dirk. And Cubes...don't forget about Cubes....

(2) Heat vs. (7) Bobcats

We had Heat in 5 due to the fact that Miami usually let's their opposition take 1. Well, Big Al was never right this series and Gerald Henderson plays a lot, you do the math. 

(5) Trail Blazers vs. (4) Rockets

Here we go! I finally distinguish myself in the gambling community! Well, not really. I called the Blazers winning this one in 7, so I was a little off. This was an awesome series and it just came down to Damian Lillard being absolutely fearless. I'm halfway to writing an anti-Harden article. 

(3) Bulls vs. (6) Wizards

Well, I have no idea what this was all about. I picked Bulls in 6 and honestly I have no idea why. Catz had Wiz in six and was basically spot on when he wrote "These boys from chocolate city can score and they aren't half bad on defense. On the other hand I just don't trust the Bulls to be able to put up enough points to take this series."

(4) Raptors vs. (5) Nets

Well we finally picked the Nets after a season of picking against them and losing, and we won! This was a pretty cool series and as long as the Raps don't make any stupid contract moves, they should be back.

(2) Thunder vs. (7) Grizzlies

I hate the Thunder. I had them winning in 4 and wish they had lost to the Grizz. I find KD bland, Westbrook is annoying, Perkins is fuckin garbage and D Fish needs to leave. Whatever. Catz had them in 5 so he wins this round. 

Let's take a look at round 2 and make some predictions again!

(6) WAS vs. (1) INDY

Catz: Go head be like all of those other basketball fans out there and pick the Pacers because they finally found their mojo again! Fuck that, they barely beat a sub .500 Hawks team in seven! Remember how Steph Curry announced that he had arrived in last years playoffs? This year it's John Walls turn against the Pacers.

BJ: I'm rollin with the Catz on this one. In a world where "Lance Stephenson is the only one that consistently gives a fuck" happens, we have problems. We're going to see Nene and Gortat pound Hibbert so hard, he's going to think he's in a Tila Tequila sex tape!  John Wall and Beal will probably do that weird thing where they can't get on the same page and one will have a good game while the other sucks. Won't matter against the Pacers.

Catz: Wizards in 6. BJ: Wizards in 7

(3) LAC vs (2) OKC

Catz: Your boy BJ is gonna try and tell you how the Thunder are garbage and that Russell Westbrook is fixin to get some Deandre Jordan all up in his ass! But don't let him sway you!  KD really came alive after being called out by his local paper which was only the second most ridiculous story in last weeks news. This time he doesn't have to deal with Tayshaun Prince or Tony Allen! He seriously might score fifty twice. Also Steven Adams and Blake Griffin will get in a fight, write that shit down!

BJ: First of all, the Thunder are fuckin garbage. Oh, and that "Russell Westbrook" fella won't be doing all that crazy shit in the lane with Deandre Jordan and Deandre Jordan's dick swiging around causing disruption and discord. Doc Rivers, this is where you make your money. You are going up against a very coaching challenged Scott Brooks, so please take advantage of Kendrick Perkins on the floor. As a matter of fact, you coached Perkins! Make sure you show OKC, why they made the dumbest trade of the last 5 years. I can't wait to see who has more, "I'm tougher than you, but I don't talk" moments, KD or Blake. 

Catz: Thunder in 6. BJ: Clippers in 5.

(5) POR vs (1) SAS

Catz: I really want Rip City to win this series. Do I think they are going to do it? Probably not, no. Will that stop me from picking them to win in 7 and making daily picks in favor of their spread? No chance.

Blazers in 6

BJ: Well shit, this puts me in a predicament. The Blazers are by far my favorite team in the playoffs, but I really want the Spurs to win another title. Well, unfortunately Rip City, I have to turn against you because of all the worthless assholes that inhabit your "city." LMFAO is going to have to fight off fatigue and a disciplined defense while guarding Duncan and Splitter. That's not good, not good at all.

Catz: Blazers in 6. BJ: Spurs in 6. 

(2) MIA at (6) BKN

Catz: This is what Brooklyn traded for this summer. This is the reason you bring in KG and Truf, because LeBron hates playing them and they don't care for LeBron. Well you know what I don't care for? The fact that Donald Sterling owns (owned) an NBA team and I don't. You know what else I don't care for? People who doubt The King.

Side note

Could you imagine if the Heat lose? All season long I've thought that Donald Sterling had a better chance of hosting the Source Awards than LeBron does leaving the Heat! But now? Fuck. We could be witnessing the biggest turning point in the NBA possibly ever. No pressure D-Wades knees!

BJ: Great side note by the Catz there. I have hated the Nets all season, but if they beat the Heat, that would be incredible. It's about time the fatigue catches up with LeBron and Wade won't be able to be a bitch in this series. The Nets are going to find flaws and expose them as they have all year, and I will regret this pick...

Catz: Miami in 5. BJ: Nets in 7

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.