'Cats for the recovery, the cover and to win

INDIANA (-2.5) over Philadelphia

CHARLOTTE over Orlando (-1.5)

Oklahoma City over CLEVELAND (-7.5)

DETROIT (-2.5) over Portland

Sacramento over MIAMI (-7.5)

HOUSTON (-6.5) over Chicago

MILWAUKEE (-8.5) over Minnesota

New Orleans over DENVER (-12.5)

Golden State over PHOENIX (-12.5)

UTAH (-17.5) over New Jersey

The Bobcats are the best defensive team in basketball

Charlotte over WASHINGTON (-3.5)

Dallas over CLEVELAND (-7.5)

MILWAUKEE over Orlando (-6.5)

Portland over UTAH (-7.5)

LA Lakers (-7.5) over GOLDEN STATE

Last night: 8-4

Season: 128-105

Soft schedule will help Cavs untrack

WASHINGTON (-6.5) over New Jersey

CLEVELAND (-14.5) over Charlotte

Philadelphia (-1.5) over NEW YORK

MILWAUKEE (-3.5) over Detroit

Portland (-2.5) over HOUSTON

Sacramento over SAN ANTONIO (-16.5)

Dallas (-4.5) over LA CLIPPERS

Last night: 8-5

Season: 17-14

Bobcats to keep hangin' in

Atlanta (-0.5) over TORONTO
CHARLOTTE (-4.5) over Philadelphia
New Orleans over MIAMI (-4.5)
Oklahoma City over SAN ANTONIO (-5.5)
Portland (-6.5) over MEMPHIS
CHICAGO (-8.5) over New York
HOUSTON (-1.5) over Orlando
LA Lakers (-10.5) over SACRAMENTO
LA CLIPPERS (-2.5) over Minnesota

Sunday: 7-4
Season: 584-568

Lakers to cruise in Charlotte

CLEVELAND (-9.5) over Detroit

LA Lakers (-5.5) over CHARLOTTE

Oklahoma City over SAN ANTONIO (-12.5)

Utah over PORTLAND (-6.5)
New Orleans (-6.5) over SACRAMENTO
INDIANA (-2.5) over Chicago
Dallas (-8.5) over MINNESOTA
Atlanta over PHILADELPHIA (-3.5)
DENVER (-12.5) over New York

Last night: 1-3
Season: 563-540

Biggest Bobcats line ever?

Portland (-1.5) over INDIANA

BOSTON (-4.5) over Miami

CHARLOTTE (-11.5) over Sacramento

New Jersey over NEW YORK (-7.5)

Minnesota over NEW ORLEANS (-12.5)

Orlando (-5.5) over MILWAUKEE

Denver (-6.5) over MEMPHIS

PHOENIX (-6.5) over Philadelphia

LA CLIPPERS (-6.5) over Washington

Detroit over HOUSTON (-9.5)

Chicago over OKLAHOMA CITY (-2.5)

Last night: 3-5

Season: 510-498

Buck stops here for Bobcats

Utah (-2.5) over INDIANA

MILWAUKEE (-3.5) over New York

SAN ANTONIO (-5.5) over Charlotte

Dallas over PHOENIX (-6.5)

Oklahoma City over SACRAMENTO (-2.5)

Cleveland (-10.5) over LA CLIPPERS

Last night: 3-3

Season: 482-466

Bobcats seek winning west swing

Orlando (-1.5) over PHILADELPHIA

MIAMI (-6.5) over New York

Oklahoma City over MEMPHIS (-7.5)

Houston over CHICAGO (-1.5)

UTAH (-16.5) over Sacramento

Charlotte (-0.5) over LA CLIPPERS

MILWAUKEE (-7.5) over Washington

Last night: 3-10

Season: 448-427

Knicks visit not-so-beloved former coach

Atlanta over INDIANA (-1.5)

CHARLOTTE (-5.5) over New York

Cleveland (-4.5) over MIAMI

MEMPHIS over Phoenix (-6.5)

Minnesota over DALLAS (-12.5)

SAN ANTONIO (-8.5) over Milwaukee

Boston (-3.5) over PORTLAND

LA Clippers over SACRAMENTO (-3.5)

Washington over NEW ORLEANS (-14.5)

Last night: 4-4

Season: 239-218

No interest in Charlotte sans Richardson

Boston (-9.5) over WASHINGTON - Twelve straight wins and counting.  We'll ride the champs.

DALLAS (-13.5) over Charlotte - See headline.

UTAH (-2.5) over Portland - Without getting double-digits, Acks tends to be really loath to take the Blazers.  Sooner or later, he'll see the light.  Not quite yet.

Last night: 4-5

Season: 167-155

Sunday Quick Picks

Hate to do this to you two days in a row, but we promise we're back for real with Monday's selections.  Here's what we've got for today:

Toronto (-3.5) over CHARLOTTE

Utah (-3.5) over NEW YORK

Dallas (-3.5) over LA CLIPPERS

Boston over DETROIT (-1.5)

Atlanta (-4.5) over OKLAHOMA CITY

Memphis over DENVER (-8.5)

SACRAMENTO (-4.5) over Golden State

Houston over LA LAKERS (-7.5)

Last night: 4-2

Season: 46-38

Black Tek patches and the dawn of an era

CLEVELAND (-9.5) over Charlotte - An unhappy LeBron plus a bad Charlotte team should equate to a bopping.

DALLAS (-3.5) over Houston - Time for an extended discourse on the dynamics of the current incarnation of the Picksix crew:

Since day one this season, Acks and I have been wearing black "TP" patches on the shoulders of our handicapping uniforms in tribute of our missing colleague, the incomparable Tek Kothary, who is spending the first half of the season traveling overseas. Despite our wonderful technological progress, Tek's availability throughout this early portion of the season will be spotty at best. In his honor, we have affixed the TP to our shoulders to keep us reminded of his favorite phrase, "Tek peeved," used so often on a night when a pick or two of his was overruled and came back to bite us. Tek, we're eagerly awaiting your return, and you'll always have a spot on this motley crew.

In the meantime, we have augmented this year's brain trust with the addition (again, that's addition, not replacement) of longtime Picksix ally J Stein.

And that brings us to Dallas-Houston. J made his first statement of boldness during last night's picks conference call, the first of his career. Citing both film and statistical study, the newcomer roundly rejected the reasoning of taking the superior team getting the points (Houston) and told us he had 'a feeling' about the Mavs. And so it is.

Welcome aboard, J. Tek (and longtime buddy and future Picksix recruit Anil, who is also overseas), we'll be here when you're ready.

New Orleans over PHOENIX (-1.5) - We really like Chris Paul. You're going to want to get used to that.

Last night: 7-5

Season: 9-6

The Picksix: Bobcats rollin' out West

Cleveland over DETROIT (-5.5) -- The Cavs simply seem to cause the Pistons problems. The points seem like a good idea here.

Phoenix (-4.5) over NEW JERSEY -- The Suns have won seven of nine, with the only two losses coming to Detroit and Boston. They'll roll here.

CHICAGO (-8.5) over Milwaukee -- The Bucks have lost twice by 15 or more and twice to Miami within the last week and change. We want no part of them.

Golden State over DENVER (-6.5) -- Two teams separated by one half-game for eighth out West duke it out in the high altitude. Just give us the points.

Charlotte over PORTLAND (-5.5) -- With wins over the Lakers and Sonics, the 'Cats are storming through the West. They should keep this one close as well.

LA CLIPPERS (-2.5) over Memphis -- Consecutive Staples Center wins for the Grizz? We're dubious.

Last night: 8-3
Season: 565-518

The Picksix: Actually giving points with the 'Cats

WASHINGTON (-7.5) over Atlanta -- The Wiz stayed above water without their two best players...and now Caron Butler is back wil Gil Arenas on the way. The Hawks are too inconsistent.

INDIANA (-6.5) over New York -- The Pacers run a lot, and the Knicks are really bad. Could be another high-margin blowout for the 'Bockers.

Cleveland over ORLANDO (-7.5) -- Wouldn't you be careful about giving so many with an inconsistent team against Bron? Yeah, us too.

NEW ORLEANS (-7.5) over Chicago -- The Hornets won't completely fail to show up on consecutive days.

Charlotte (-1.5) over MEMPHIS -- The Grizz are that bad.

MINNESOTA (-6.5) over LA Clippers -- The Clips have lost their last three games on this road trip by margins of 22, 24 and 10. We'll take a pass.

Boston over SAN ANTONIO (-3.5) -- The Spurs have lost five of six, and we get to take the C's with points!

UTAH (-13.5) over Toronto -- We'll take our chances with the best home team in basketball against the Bosh-less Raps.

Last night: 6-1
Season: 508-482

The Picksix: 'Cats stumbling

LA Lakers (-7.5) over CHARLOTTE -- The Bobcats have lost six straight by the following margins: 14, 31, 16, 14, 14, 26. Not a chance.

Cleveland over ORLANDO (-6.5)
Dallas (-4.5) over PHILADELPHIA

Two very good teams turned in two very bad performances last night. Won't be replicated.

San Antonio over TORONTO (-0.5) -- Gregg Popovich called the Spurs' offense the worst he had ever seen at one point yesterday. Then he started ripping the defense. A lot will change in a day.

LA Clippers over MILWAUKEE (-4.5) -- Not giving any points with Milwaukee at this point.

HOUSTON (-7.5) over Portland -- Buzz saw.

Washington over GOLDEN STATE (-11.5) -- The run-n'-gun Wiz have hung in throughout their losses so far on this West Coast swing. The Dubs aren't blowing anybody out as of late.

Last night: 4-3
Season: 391-359