Tag Archives: Basketball

NBA Picks: Houston Rockets at Denver Nuggets

NBA Picks: Houston Rockets at Denver NuggetsThe Denver Nuggets seem lost lately while the Houston Rockets have played excellent basketball. The computer shows a little conflict, expecting the Nuggets to win in a coin flip while the Rockets have 3-star value. Still, the way Houston is playing, they seem to be the play.

The Nuggets have been really struggling and the rebuilding effort seems to have slipped away after trading Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks. The Rockets, on the other hand, have been scoring machines. They may lack some depth and will to play defense, but in a high scoring  ... 

NBA Championship Predictions Game Two: Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs

NBA Finals Picks, Game Two: Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs

We have almost identical analysis for this one, except that Lebron James hopefully won’t be cramping up through the entire game as the Spurs pull away. The problem when one player shifts your opinion of a series is that his absence or an off day will completely destroy a game for you.

The computer agrees. After hitting a confident ML play in Game One the signal is basically the same. I still think Lebron James makes the difference here. If he’s healthy and has his fluids, I think he’ll return  ... 

NBA Playoffs Finals Picks: Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs

NBA Finals Picks: Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs

Miami made us our money and closed out the Pacers as expected, and the Spurs battled through a very good team in the Thunder. I think this series is exactly what it’s supposed to be… the two best teams in basketball are playing.

The Spurs are out for revenge, but the Heat have the best player in the basketball world. I think Lebron James can taste another win. I don’t know how San Antonio can stop them.

I expect really great things from these two teams and I’m excited to watch this  ... 

NBA Playoffs Picks: Oklahoma City Thunder at LA Clippers

NBA Playoffs Picks: Oklahoma City Thunder at LA Clippers

What an incredible, exciting, wonderful series! For me, the value has been on the points all series. I think these are two evenly matched teams with explosive offenses and big star power. The Thunder have a bit more playoff experience, the Clippers have a bit more offense, and the coaching on both sides is phenomenal.

As such, home field doesn’t do much for me. Points and teasers have paid out nicely in two of three so far. Can the home team bounce back?

The computer is conflicted here and two parameters  ... 

NBA Picks: Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets

BA Picks: Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets

Z-Code is all over this one, and I’ll follow along with a money line parlay tonight. I like the Nuggets as well, the Jazz are on the road and Denver is the better team.

The Nuggets have a sharp, clear signal of support from the computer. With five-stars of money line value for the game and a 93% chance to win, this is a good time to invest in the home team. The spread is a little sharp, but this should be a blowout. I’m on the spread with low confidence and the  ... 

NBA Picks: New Orleans Pelicans at Atlanta Hawks

NBA Picks: New Orleans Pelicans +6 at Atlanta Hawks

The Pelicans aren’t a very good team on the road and the Hawks have all the momentum in the world, winning five in a row and surging deeper into the playoff picture. Still, the computer and I see some value in the points here.

After hitting our first post of the NCAA Tournament, we dance back to the comforts of the NBA. This is a bold pick too, but I think the Pelicans will give the Hawks a game here. I don’t think the Hawks have an answer for Anthony Davis  ... 

NBA Picks: Golden State Warriors at Portland Trailblazers

NBA Picks: Golden State Warriors at Portland Trailblazers

I appreciate that the Blazers have a pretty good team this year.  They have some superstar scorers, a streaky offense, and they were the hottest team in basketball at the start of the year.  Since they’ve come down, though, I think the Warriors are obviously the better team – particularly after the blowout win they earned the last time these two met.

The computer gives a four-star prediction on the over, expecting a high-scoring game.  This one is in played in Portland, so the Blazers do have a bit of an edge  ... 

NCAA March Madness Predictions: Who Will Win It All?

NCAA March Madness Predictions: Who Will Win It All?

It’s a little early to get excited about March Madness with so much left to be decided in conference championships, but we can’t help ourselves. Here are some preliminary thoughts about the top few teams and the keys to their success in the tournament.

1. Florida – I think Florida is the most complete team in the tournament. They have enough scoring to allow their tenacious defense to carry the load. Deep enough to run the table, they’re my favorite to win it all right now, but no teams really stand out. This tournament really is anyone’s to steal.

2. Wichita State – The likely one seed is also something of a Cinderella story form a mid-major. They’ve got a couple dynamic weapons, but like most small programs before them I think they lack the depth to truly be competitive. It would shock me if they ran the table, though they  ...