NBA Friday Night Picks: Basketball Playoff Previews

I got both Thursday Night games right on the button. The Spurs jumped out to a huge lead (*up 20+ in the 2nd quarter) but the Mavs fought back to take the lead midway through the 3rd. But San Antonio hit big shots late and clamped down defensively during key moments to take the game, and the series, from the favored Mavericks. In Portland, the Suns led nearly the entire game, and though it was tied at one point in the 4th, Phoenix stayed in control, hit some big shots, and held a double digit lead late in the 4th. They ended up winning by 9. It might just be a couple game thing, but the Suns look to be playing solid defense. That might make for an interesting 2nd Round match-up. Here’s my take on tonight’s games.

Atlanta Hawks @ Milwaukee Bucks (+2) (4-30: ESPN): The Hawks have really let me down, but in a good way, because you know I’m pulling for the underdog Bucks team playing without one of their best players, big man Andrew Bogut. Jennings has been very good in the playoffs, again looking like the kid that took the NBA by storm in the first few weeks of the season. John Salmons has also been impressive, continuing to play well since coming over in a trade from Chicago. This Bucks team is tough, and they don’t give away anything. Milwaukee at home as a two point underdog seems like a good enough deal for me.

LA Lakers (+1.5) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (4-30: ESPN): I want Oklahoma to win. I couldn’t think of a better situation than Kobe and the Lakers losing to the Thunder in Game 7 in L.A. – but I still don’t think it will happen. I know the Thunder have impressed at home, and they definitely play tougher and with more confidence at home – but the Lakers are smelling a chance to end it right now, and I don’t think they pass it up. A smarter game plan, getting the bigs involved, taking advantage of Oklahoma’s lack of size – that seems like a must, and a sure way to take Game 6.

Denver Nuggets @ Utah Jazz (-4.5) (4-30: ESPN): This game is yet another deciding Game 6 (the third on Friday Night) and I expect the Jazz to make me wrong (in my original playoff predictions) and close out the Nuggets in Utah. The Jazz play much better at home, namely their role players seem to play with more confidence – and Denver just hasn’t shown me what I need to see to take them on the road in a big time game. We’ll see, but I like Utah to get the win.

Three Game 6′s all go to the team closing it out? Seems nuts, but that’s what I’ve got.

Major League Baseball Picks: Thursday MLB Preview

I was 1-1 yesterday as the Tigers came through by putting 11 runs on the board against Minnesota and ace Scott Baker to get me a win, but Texas outlasted the White Sox, 6-5, to get me a loss. Oh, .500, how frustrating you are in all your soccer-tie glory. Here’s how I see today’s best match-ups.

Atlanta Braves @ St. Louis Cardinals (-165) (4-29: 1:40 PM ET) (Jurrjens vs. Wainwright): Jurrjens is supposed to be the Braves ace, and it’s a perfect representation of his struggled, because the Braves have lost 8 straight games, and ace’s are supposed to halt losing streaks. Well, there’s never a better time than now – but I just don’t see it. One reason is Adam Wainright and his elite stuff going up against a struggling Braves’ lineup. Jurrjens has a history of pitching well against St. Louis, but Wainright has done good things against Atlanta as well, and he’s off to a blistering start. I’m taking the Cardinals despite the poor pay out.

New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles (+150) (4-29: 7:05 PM ET) (Burnett vs. Matusz): I actually like the Orioles to come out of this home game with a win over the mighty Yankees. The Yanks are off to a great start, which is historically odd for them, but they are one of the best teams in baseball – so it makes sense. The Orioles have lost 17 of their first 21, but Brian Matusz has pitched very well and I see him stepping up against the Yankees at home. This win would be huge for Baltimore, and me, because the payout is nice. I’m taking the big dogs!

NBA Playoff Picks: Thursday NBA Basketball Preview

Phoenix Suns (+1) @ Portland Trail Blazers (4-29: 7:00 PM ET – TNT): The Suns are the better team, there’s not doubt in my mind. The game is in Portland, but this Portland team is just a shell of what they could have been if injuries weren’t a factor. Still, this one will be a fight. Portland is favored by 1, with their backs against the wall, but Phoenix has proven to play pretty well without pressure, and I think they’ll continue to let it fly tonight. If they are hitting their shots, this will go smoothly for the Suns – but either way, I like Phoenix to pull this one out.

Dallas Mavericks @ San Antonio Spurs (-4) @ (4-29: 9:30 PM ET – TNT): The Mavericks need this one bad, no doubt, but even though I originally picked the Mavs to win in 7, I’m taking the Spurs to cover the 4 point spread at home tonight. If anything, history is on my side. San Antonio, and elite head coach, Greg Popovich, have always won. That’s what they do. Dallas doesn’t have that same confidence, because history fails to produce the same outcome for them. I know sports are about now, but you learn to win, and the Spurs are comfortable doing that. This will be their last run, and I expect them to end the Mavericks’ post season tonight.

MLB Baseball Picks: Free Wednesday Sports Picks

Wednesday has a few solid pitching match-ups that many people aren’t too excited about, but they should be. Scott Baker might be the most underrated and undervalued ace in the bigs while Max Scherzer (now in Detroit) is a young gunner that has impressed me over the past couple years. In Texas, both Jake Peavy and Rich Harden have a chance to get things turned around against a tough line-up in a tough park to pitch, and maybe prove to everyone why their respective clubs spent so much to bring them in. Here’s my take…

Minnesota Twins @ Detroit Tigers (-110) (4-28: 7:00 PM ET) (Baker vs. Scherzer): Detroit hits righties better than they hit lefties, and coming off an outing where they were blanked (and down right embarrassed) by Francisco Liriano, I think they’ll be ready to get the bat on the ball against Scott Baker. Bake’s hasn’t had his best stuff against Detroit in the past, either – so those things add up to a solid pick on the home team to pull out a win.

Chicago White Sox (+110) @ Texas Rangers (4-28: 8:05 PM ET) (Peavy vs. Harden): Peavy has had one decent outing so far this year, and it was against Cleveland, so it doesn’t really count. Harden hasn’t been nearly as accurate as he’s been in the past, striking out only two more batters than he’s walked so far this year, and really struggling to get much further than the 5th inning. The Rangers are hurting a bit, with a couple key players on the DL. And, I know how competitive Peavy is, and it’s easier for me to see him come in to Texas and turn it around than it is to see Harden start throwing darts again. I’ll give the slight nod to the White Sox.

Free NBA Picks: NBA Playoff Basketball Predictions

I was right on the money with four Tuesday Night picks that went right to the bank. Yes, I was 4 for 4 in my NBA selections last night, and it felt good to get a big day in as the Cavs finished off the pesky Bulls while Boston also punched their ticket to the 2nd round with a victory over Miami. Dallas stayed in the game with a lopsided victory over San Antonio – and now the series moves back home for the Spurs as they try to pull the 7-2 upset. L.A. came out trying to prove they still got it, and they certainly do – they smashed the Thunder right out of the gates. Here’s how I see Wednesday’s games going…

Milwaukee Bucks @ Atlanta Hawks (-8.5) (4-28: 8:00 PM ET – TNT): I can’t believe the Bucks have made this a series. I know the Hawks are historically pathetic in the playoffs away from home, but this is getting ridiculous. Atlanta squandered prime opportunity to pull out with a sweep over an injury-plagued Bucks’ squad, but now it’s 2-2 and the Hawks have to feel some pressure. I have the Hawks pulling this one out, and winning by double digits, but only because they are equally as good at home as they are bad on the road.

Utah Jazz (+7) @ Denver Nuggets (4-28: 10:30 PM ET – TNT): I originally thought that without Okur the Jazz were going to take a few games on the head and head home for the summer – but I forgot how his absence might turn it into an advantage for Utah. See, Paul Millsap is a very good player, and since Denver doesn’t have any bigs that score on the block, him being an undersized post doesn’t really hurt him, especially because he boards so well. I think Utah at least keeps this one close, and maybe close out the series against a Nuggets team that just hasn’t played well during the end of the season and into the playoffs. I like the points.

NBA Playoff Picks: NBA Basketball Tuesday Night on TNT

There are a couple series on the verge of closure tonight, as only the Lakers and Bobcats are guaranteed a Game 6. The Celtics lead the Heat 3 to 1, the Cavaliers are up 3 to 1 over Chicago, and San Antonio owns the same lead over Dallas. The Mavericks are this close to yet another playoff upset if they can’t win 3 straight over San Antonio while Boston and Cleveland just look to hold court. 4 big ones tonight!

Miami Heat @ Boston Celtics (-6) (4-27: 7:00 PM ET – NBA TV): The Celtics have played well and won, they’ve played mediocre and won, and they watched Wade beat them in Game 4. But how many games can the Heat fend off the better and more experienced Heat? One is my answer. Boston covers at home to finish off the Heat.

Chicago Bulls (+12) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (4-27: 8:00 PM ET – TNT): I think this game will go to the Cavs, but 12 points is a lot, especially in a “back against the wall” series finale. Chicago plays tough, and unless the Cavs come out and shoot 60%, I see this being an easy cover for the Bulls.

San Antonio Spurs @ Dallas Mavericks (-5) (4-27: 9:30 PM ET – NBA TV): The Mavericks haven’t gotten enough from their “new acquisitions” despite their inspired play down the stretch. They probably haven’t used Hayward enough (his +/- is always good) and they just can’t put the Spurs away. However, I don’t see them getting beat at home to end this series, as I still see them as the better team. Look for the Mavs to cover at home.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ LA Lakers (-6) (4-27: 10:30 PM ET – TNT): The Thunder have been very good in each of the last 3 games, and they won both in Oklahoma. They bring a lot of momentum back to L.A. – but if Kobe has done anything over his career, it’s been killing opponents’ momentum. I expect him to have a strong game, as a playmaker and a scorer, while the Lakers’ big guys put LA up 3-2. But I hope I’m wrong!!!

2010 NFL Draft Grades: Best & Worst Football Drafts Review

Grading the draft before the players even set foot on the field is a little ridiculous, I know – but isn’t it all? I mean, most everything “we” write about is predictions based stuff, and this is no different. I predicted the guys I thought were the best in the draft. I predicted the draft based on the value and talent of the players. And now, after the draft, I’m going to go on and predict how these players will show up, and give their new teams grades based on that. Except for the Ravens (listed 1st because they didn’t make a 1st round pick) the teams are listed based on where they picked in the first round. Here it goes. Click on the links to read my review and grades for each team. Do the damn thing…

Baltimore Ravens: A+
Minnesota Vikings: C-
St. Louis Rams: A-
Detroit Lions:   B
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A
Washington Redskins: B-
Kansas City Chiefs: C+
Seattle Seahawks: A+
Cleveland Browns: . B-
Oakland Raiders: B+
Buffalo Bills: D+
Jacksonville Jaguars:  F
San Francisco 49ers: A+
San Diego Chargers: C+
Philadelphia Eagles: A
New York Giants:  A-
Tennessee Titans: B-
Pittsburgh Steelers:  B+
Atlanta Falcons: B-
Houston Texans: D+
Cincinnati Bengals: B+
Denver Broncos: C
Arizona Cardinals: B-
New England Patriots: A
Miami Dolphins: B-
New York Jets: A
Indianapolis Colts: B
New Orleans Saints: B+

New Orleans Saints: 2010 NFL Draft Review & Grade

New Orleans Saints: Patrick Robinson had some very productive years at Florida State, he also struggled to pick up interceptions in his final seasons. Still, the kid is a playmaker, and he’s not afraid of taking a chance and trusting himself – weird – sounds like every other corner – but this kid can get it done at a high level. Charles Brown is a great pick-up at the end of Round 2 by the Saints, he didn’t flourish in 2009 but a lot of that had to do with some questionable quarterback decisions and interesting playcalling. This kid has a lot of talent, and was a great pick by New Orleans. Jimmy Graham has loads of talent, and should turn into a solid player the longer he plays the game (he was a pretty good college basketball player as well). I can’t believe there were so many solid defensive line prospects in the late rounds of the draft, but plenty of good teams picked up good players there. Al Woods is a late 2nd to early 3rd guy talent-wise but he was snagged in the 4th. Sean Canfield might not rate out as an elite pro, but I think he’ll make a living in the NFL. He’s very accurate, picks up defenses well, and makes very good decisions. A good pick near the end of the draft. B+ Back to the 2010 NFL Draft grading team list.

Indianapolis Colts: 2010 NFL Draft Review & Grade

Indianapolis Colts: Jerry Hughes was a great pick and great value. Pat Angerer will compete for a starting spot right away, and will make an impact regardless – he was the leader of a very good defense for Iowa. Kevin Thomas was a perfect fit for the Colts – and his selection and Indy’s success has me realizing how beneficial it is to be one of the few teams that plays a certain defensive scheme. They always get great value in every draft because they get guys that only fit perfectly in their system. Freaking brilliant. Outside of those three picks, I see a bunch of reaches that will probably turn out to be great future players for the Colts. That being said I can only grade them on what I see now, a very good start to the draft and a questionable finish. But what a pick with Hughes! B Back to the 2010 NFL Draft grading team list.

New York Jets: 2010 NFL Draft Review & Grade

New York Jets: What an off-season for the Jets. Kyle Wilson was my top rated corner, and they picked him up with the 29th overall pick. He should team with Revis and Cromartie to make the best corner trio I’ve seen in a long time. Vladimir Ducasse gives the Jets a big huge man to play guard, and allowed them to dump Alan Faneca’s 8 million dollar salary. They traded a 5th round pick for Santonio Holmes and added Joe McKnight’s big play ability in the draft, as well as LT’s talents (though less than they used to be, still solid in my opinion) through Free Agency. They sure added a lot of assets by giving up late round draft picks, but still made the most out of their few selections over the weekend. The draft alone might not look amazing, but judging on their entire off-season, I’m plenty impressed. A Back to the 2010 NFL Draft grading team list.

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