NBA Picks, Sunday

[sani]

Dallas over Cleveland (+2.5) @1.94 (www.pinnaclesports.com) If LeBron can be stopped (or limited) this is the perfect day for it to happen. 'King' James logged 191 minutes in four games he played over last six days (almost 48 per game), too much by anyone's standards. He had two 53-minute games in one week, no matter how good he is that should show. EVEN if it doesn't, the other players had extended minutes in last week's 4 games (2 went to OT), and they're no LeBron when it comes to stamina and fitness (actually nobody is). And to show that even he is human we have his turnover total over last 4 games, 21 turnovers, giving him over 5 per game, that's bad even if your parents named you after a steak (Kobe). The visiting team, Dallas, is trying to remain unbeaten on it's 4-game road trip (wins at Det, Bos and Phi). Prior to that road trip, Dampier-less Mavericks (also without Stackhouse) defeated Cavaliers at home 116-87. That was without their starting center and probably the best defender they have. I hated Dallas and their style of play while Nelly was in charge, they were more of a circus than a serious NBA franchise, but that has changed when the 'Little General' took over. They are a real playoff team now, and playoff teams always step it up in April and hope to last till mid-June. And they still have to play hard to secure homecourt advantage in Rd 1. Key Factor: We'll never see things like 5-guard lineup, Hack-a-Shaq, 5-second possessions (just a few of Nellie's inventions) in Dallas again, but Avery Johnson could be the 'Lord of the Ring' they were looking for. TIPOFF TIME: 21:30 CET Detroit over Toronto (+3.5) @2.04 (www.pointbet.com) By looking at the standings one might think none of these teams has anything to play for, atleast not until the fourth week of April. But just one of these two teams will not play at all when the playoffs start. The other team, Detroit Pistons, will then start defending the title they won last year. And after missing 'the Brain' for 10 games, they are happy to have their head coach back. Now it's time to fine tune for the postseason. That's why i think they will fight in this game even though a loss wouldn't be devastating. And two main weapons of Toronto Raptors, driving and dishing outside for open threes and strong play of second-year F/C Chris Bosh just won't work against Pistons inside-outside defense. Expect Pistons players to be very motivated, these guys just love playing for Larry Brown. Speaking of player-coach relations, the latest to publicly criticize Sam Mitchell in Toronto is Jalen Rose who said the Raptors 'were not playing to win' against Orlando on Wednesday. Key Factor: A happy team against one big mess of a team. And it does help the happy ones are also better. Houston over Phoenix @2.50 (www.pointbet.com) I just talked to T-Mac and he says Yao Ming is playing tonight after missing the last game against New Orleans (73-76 loss). So this line might drop very fast. Rockets have proven they can play against Phoenix when they beat them at PHO 127-107 after that furious 4th quarter rally (41-17). I'm not saying Houston is definitely going to win, i'm just stating the value of this bet, but i do love the fact Rockets are another one of those 'built to last in spring' teams. They have Yao at center, dominant scorer in T-Mac, and several experienced players all over their roster. They will miss Howard big time once again, but if their outside shooters can keep up with Q and his gang of shooters Houston can easily win. You can check on Yao's status yourself here: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14276517&BRD=1710&PAG=740&dept_id=353126&rfi=6 Key Factor: Rockets already did this in Phoenix so 2.50 moneyline at home really makes no sense, even after they lost to NO.

[aliensyndm]

Re: NBA Picks, Sunday Ooooo I had actually labelled out dallas as a possible play myself, seems you agree. I mentioned it to taz earlier and he agreed it was not too bad, of course I know feck all remember. I don't think there is anything taz fancies today. Was wondering how highly you rated yao ming sani ? I can't help but feel there's a bit of a beckham factor there, ie his value marketing wise finanically due to his appeal etc perhaps lead people to believe he is a better player than he actually is. I mean I've no doubt beckham and yao are very good at their respective sports, but would I class them as "world class" or the best, probably not. Having said that 6/4 aint a bad price to turn phoenix over surely. Even on something as simple as looking at phoenix won the last 7 from 13 against houston..... just from that you could say houston should be about 11/10 then. Id detroit play to their potential you would definitely expect them to win, as long as they don't have a collapse which has happened a couple of times lately I think. I'll be going with you tonight on dallas anyway and probably the others as well so good luck to us all !