22 January 2008

The Picksix: Streakers collide in Cleveland

Detroit (-5.5) over PHILADELPHIA -- The Pistons are cold as of late and should be peeved after Rashard Lewis sunk them with a buzzer-beater on MLK Day in Orlando.

Washington over CLEVELAND (-5.5) -- Don't look now, but the Wiz have won 7 of 9 and the Cavs 8 of 9. These two teams like to battle each other, and it should be close to the end.

CHARLOTTE over Dallas (-6.5) -- Despite Monday's loss to San Antonio, the Cats are playing excellent basketball of late, particularly at home.

BOSTON (-9.5) over Toronto -- The Celtics look to finish off a season sweep of the defending Atlantic Division champs. They look to have gotten their mojo back after a rough patch a week ago.

Orlando (-2.5) over MEMPHIS -- The Magic are better on the road than at home, and perhaps they will be kick-started by the dramatic win over the Pistons on Monday.

Phoenix (-8.5) over MINNESOTA -- Hard to imagine a second consecutive competent performance from the Wolves. Further, the Suns won't be forgetting that they lost to this group earlier this season anytime soon.

Portland over NEW ORLEANS (-6.5) -- When two super-duper hot teams collide, taking the points generally seems like the solid way to go. Sooner or later, somebody has to avoid getting blown out in the land of the Mardi Gras.

Indiana over CHICAGO (-3.5) -- We're back to making the Bulls beat us after their loss in Memphis earlier in the week.

LA Lakers over SAN ANTONIO (-6.5) -- At 3-4 in their last seven and 5-5 in their last ten, this Spurs team has become increasingly unreliable as of late. Basic logic says the Lakers should be in big trouble without the youngster in the pivot, but perhaps they will hang around just long enough to keep this one close.

Atlanta over DENVER (-4.5) -- In addition to the fact that the Nuggets have been a bit shaky since the Nene news broke, Melo Anthony is doubtful after sustaining an ankle injury against the Lakers on Monday.

Houston (-5.5) over SEATTLE -- The Sonics are 0-10 on the month, and six of those losses have come by at least 15 points. No thanks.

Sacramento over LA CLIPPERS (-0.5) -- Conventional logic pushes us toward simply taking the home team here, but the Kings are playing their best ball of the season of late, having won six of eight. It helps to have folks healthy.

Last night: 2-0
Season: 322-287

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