The Picksix: Laying off the depleted

Sacramento (-1.5) over CHARLOTTE -- Pack it in, 'Cats. This Kings continue to fight nobly for a very unlikely cause.

Philadelphia over ORLANDO (-7.5) -- The Magic got upset about Stan Van Gundy's most recent tirade, won a game or two before the All-Star break and then smacked the Pistons on Tuesday. Predictably, this was followed by a major letdown the next night in Toronto, and knowing this Magic team, it's likely to be topped off with a lackluster victory at home.

Fun fact: On back-to-back nights, the Sixers lost by double-digits in Minnesota and then smacked the Knicks by 40.

INDIANA (-5.5) over New Jersey -- How the Nets pulled out a win with no Jason Kidd and no Devin Harris while hosting Chicago on Wednesday is beyond me. So is the idea that they will be able to replicate this success.

Toronto (-4.5) over NEW YORK -- The Knicks returned to form with the 40-point pummeling they received on Wednesday. The Raps should be stoked with the big Primoz Brezec addition. Well, maybe not, but the Knicks are still terrible.

Houston over NEW ORLEANS (-4.5) -- Buzz saw plus points.

MEMPHIS over Dallas (-8.5) -- The Mavs have lost six straight on the road, thus making the line too high for our liking.

Denver (-2.5) over CHICAGO -- See: overtime loss to point guard-free Nets as referenced above. No-go on Hicag.

Washington over CLEVELAND (-7.5) -- Whether or not the Cavs will have their four new acquisitions remains in doubt, and we could do without giving points with a squad that just lost six players (and lost sixty percent of its starting lineup) and might not have any of what it got back in return this evening.

Utah (-4.5) over LA CLIPPERS -- Not enough points for us to even consider this. The Jazz are a lot better.

Boston over PHOENIX (-3.5) -- Sooner or later, the Celts will re-find the form they had reached prior to the break. Might as well be sooner.

GOLDEN STATE (-8.5) over Atlanta -- Is it me, or does Monta Ellis shoot close to 60 percent from the field every night? The Hawks plus Mike Bibby have yet to show any real luster.

Portland (-0.5) over SEATTLE -- The Blazers survived a poor second half to hold on and beat Seattle on Thursday at home. Nate McMillan won't be satisfied and will work this team for the full 48 minutes tonight.

Last night: 2-1
Season: 418-384