Runnin' and gunnin' with the Suns and Warriors

Orlando (-7.5) over PHILADELPHIA
Miami (-5.5) over NEW JERSEY
Dallas (-4.5) over NEW ORLEANS
Houston over CHICAGO (-2.5)
Atlanta over MILWAUKEE (-5.5)
Toronto (-4.5) over MINNESOTA
OKLAHOMA CITY (-4.5) over San Antonio
Boston over UTAH (-4.5)
Memphis (-2.5) over SACRAMENTO
Phoenix (-4.5) over GOLDEN STATE

Suns, and to bop

So we went 0-5 last night, but given that we haven't updated our record in approximately a month, I have no idea how much it set us back. Good to see Acks on top of things.

ATLANTA (-11.5) over Washington

Phoenix (-3.5) over INDIANA, and to bop

New York over PHILADELPHIA (-2.5)

Boston (-7.5) over NEW JERSEY

LA Clippers over NEW ORLEANS (-7.5)

OKLAHOMA CITY (-1.5) over San Antonio

LA Lakers over DALLAS (-7.5)

HOUSTON (-9.5) over Minnesota

Orlando over DENVER (-5.5)

Milwaukee over PORTLAND (-6.5)

GOLDEN STATE (-2.5) over Miami

Suns won't get embarrassed again

Detroit over INDIANA (-2.5)

Orlando (-6.5) over NEW JERSEY

Phoenix (-1.5) over MINNESOTA

Charlotte over CHICAGO (-9.5)

Oklahoma City over MILWAUKEE (-6.5)

Golden State over UTAH (-15.5)

LA CLIPPERS over Portland (-6.5)

Last night: 5-8

Season: 599-589

Another reunion game for Shaq

Phoenix over MIAMI (-3.5)

Boston (-6.5) over NEW JERSEY

Atlanta (-0.5) over NEW YORK

LA CLIPPERS (-2.5) over Memphis

San Antonio over DALLAS (-3.5)

Houston over UTAH (-8.5)

OKLAHOMA CITY (-4.5) over Washington

CLEVELAND (-13.5) over Milwaukee

Indiana over PORTLAND (-10.5)

Golden State over CHICAGO (-7.5)

Last night: 3-5

Season: 462-442

Will Shaq attack continue at its NBA origin?

Phoenix over ORLANDO (-7.5)

Chicago over CHARLOTTE (-2.5)

DETROIT (-3.5) over Denver

MILWAUKEE (-4.5) over New Jersey

Golden State over MINNESOTA (-1.5)

HOUSTON (-9.5) over Toronto

SACRAMENTO over Indiana (-2.5)

LA LAKERS (-15.5) over Memphis

Last night: 4-1

Season: 459-437

Big man injuries abound in the desert

New York over TORONTO (-3.5)

INDIANA over Chicago (-1.5)

Boston over PHOENIX (-2.5)

Charlotte over HOUSTON (-6.5)

Denver (-2.5) over MILWAUKEE

Miami over ORLANDO (-9.5)

LA Clippers over PORTLAND (-14.5)

LA Lakers (-9.5) over MINNESOTA

CLEVELAND (-9.5) over Detroit

Last night: 3-2

Season: 426-400

Goodbye, Amare

Orlando (-2.5) over CHARLOTTE

Atlanta over PORTLAND (-5.5)

New Orleans over LA LAKERS (-9.5)

Oklahoma City over PHOENIX (-9.5)

NEW YORK (-2.5) over Toronto

Denver (-2.5) over CHICAGO

Washington over NEW JERSEY (-7.5)

Indiana over MINNESOTA (-3.5)

Cleveland (-7.5) over MILWAUKEE

Dallas over HOUSTON (-3.5)

Sacramento over MEMPHIS (-6.5)

Last night: 1-1

Season: 416-394

Post-Porter era begins in Phoenix

WASHINGTON (-2.5) over Minnesota

Milwaukee over DETROIT (-7.5)

ORLANDO (-8.5) over Charlotte

INDIANA (-2.5) over Philadelphia

San Antonio (-3.5) over NEW YORK

OKLAHOMA CITY over New Orleans (-3.5)

New Jersey over HOUSTON (-8.5)

Atlanta over LA LAKERS (-9.5)

UTAH (-11.5) over Memphis

LA Clippers over PHOENIX (-7.5)

Thursday: 3-0

Season: 404-383

Suns reunite with Coach D at MSG

CHARLOTTE (-6.5) over Memphis

DETROIT (-5.5) over Toronto

Boston (-5.5) over MIAMI

Phoenix (-4.5) over NEW YORK

Utah over HOUSTON (-3.5)

NEW ORLEANS (-5.5) over New Jersey

MILWAUKEE (-1.5) over Dallas

Cleveland (-0.5) over PORTLAND

LA CLIPPERS over LA Lakers (-15.5)

SACRAMENTO (-2.5) over Washington

GOLDEN STATE (-5.5) over Oklahoma City

Last night: 3-1

Season: 320-296

Will Suns be awake for matinee up north?

Phoenix (-2.5) over TORONTO

OKLAHOMA CITY over Miami (-1.5)

Last night: 4-5

Season: 310-288

Nugs to stay hot at high altitude?

Phoenix over DALLAS (-4.5) - The Mavs have rebounded from a 2-7 start with a 7-1 run.  Their opponents over that stretch: Knicks, Bobcats, Rockets (no Yao), Grizzlies, Pacers, Lakers (loss), Kings, Clippers.  We're not totally on board yet.

DENVER (-4.5) over San Antonio - The Billups Express keeps on rolling: The Nugs are 12-3 with him in the lineup, and they'll have to hurt us before we go away from them.

Last night: 7-4

Season: 138-135

ECF Rematch; Shaq-Phil Throwdown?

BOSTON (-7.5) over Detroit - The Pistons needed a big run (56-36 finish) to overtake and overcome the Cavs last night at home.  Facing the champs on the second night of a back-to-back could be a bit too much for them.

LA Lakers (-4.5) over PHOENIX - Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson's team is a lot better than Shaquille O'Neal's team.

Last night: 6-4

Season: 80-88

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: Phoenix to get it together

TORONTO (-12.5) over New York -- The Tek Doctrine has served us well this season.

Phoenix over PHILADELPHIA (-0.5) -- After losses to Detroit and Boston, the Suns should come out with a strong performance to nab a win on what has been a tough Eastern swing thus far.

INDIANA (-4.5) over New Jersey -- The high-octane Pacers won't allow the Nets to put together consecutive solid performances.

Chicago over ATLANTA (-5.5) -- The Bulls are, uh, lukewarm on the Hawks' tails, and they have played the Hawks well thus far this season, winning two of their first three meetings.

BOSTON (-6.5) over New Orleans -- Coming into this week, the only two teams the Celts had yet to beat this season were Phoenix and New Orleans. You saw what happened when the Celts got upset with the Suns. The Hornets should be headed toward the same fate in Beantown.

Minnesota over SAN ANTONIO (-13.5) -- How can we give so many with a team that just can't be bothered in the regular season?

Orlando (-4.5) over MILWAUKEE -- No defense from the Bucks. Ever.

UTAH (-16.5) over LA Clippers -- Because nothing about the Clips really entices us.

Washington over SACRAMENTO (-2.5) -- The Wiz seemed to get it together in the second half in Seattle on Wednesday. They should beat a mediocre Sacto team tonight.

SEATTLE over Charlotte (-3.5) -- One improbable win over the Lakers, and the 'Cats are favorites? Not so much, no thanks.

LA LAKERS (-16.5) over Memphis -- The recoil from the Lakers' loss to Charlotte on Wednesday could be a very strong one.

Last night: 2-1
Season: 557-515

The Picksix: Suns slumping

Philadelphia over MILWAUKEE (-0.5) -- The Sixers have won 11 of 14 to storm into the Eastern playoff picture. They will keep rolling against an inconsistent Bucks team.

Seattle over TORONTO (-10.5) -- Chris Bosh's health remains in question, which means that so does our willingness to give double-digits with the Raps.

San Antonio over PHOENIX (-1.5) -- The Suns are just 3-6 with Shaq in the lineup. A loss in Denver on Friday for the Spurs just means that they have won 11 of 12 rather than 11 of 11. We're okay with that.

Chicago over DETROIT (-9.5) -- Bulls versus rest of league: 22-37. Bulls versus Detroit: 3-0. Go figure.

LA LAKERS (-14.5) over Sacramento -- Since Pau arrived, the Lakers are 15-2 with 11 double-digit wins. We'll take our chances.

Last night: 6-4
Season: 479-454

The Picksix: Lots of running in G-State

PHILADELPHIA (-8.5) over Memphis -- Consecutive displays of competency seem doubtful for the Grizz.

San Antonio (-2.5) over CLEVELAND -- The Cavs are banged up and don't have a point guard who will make the Spurs pay for the lack of Tony Parker.

New Jersey over TORONTO (-8.5) -- The Raps have been a model of inconsistency all season. The Nets should be able to hang around just long enough to keep it close.

Atlanta over CHARLOTTE (-0.5) -- No Gerald Wallace once more for the 'Cats, who haven't been particularly competitive of late.

Denver over ORLANDO (-4.5) -- As of yet, the Magic haven't demonstrated that they respond particularly well to butt-kickings from Stan Van Gundy. There could be some residual effects of Van Gundy's late-game benching and post-game tongue-lashing of Dwight Howard on Monday.

BOSTON (-10.5) over New York -- If Paul Pierce can avoid ejection this time around, the KG-less C's could well keep on rolling once more against the 'Bockers.

DETROIT (-12.5) over Indiana -- The Pistons won't be thrilled about a too-close victory over the Hawks on Tuesday.

New Orleans (-4.5) over MILWAUKEE -- CP3 went for 25 points, 14 assists and 1 turnover last night in Hicag. He was one of three 20-point scorers for the Stingers. These guys are really good. The Bucks aren't.

LA Lakers (-9.5) over MINNESOTA -- The Wolves play the tail end of a back-to-back against a Lakers team still riding the wave of the Gasol trade.

HOUSTON (-9.5) over Sacramento -- Buzz saw.

Portland over DALLAS (-7.5) -- After consecutive uninspired losses in Jersey and Philly, we'll lay off the Mavs for a night.

GOLDEN STATE (-0.5) over Phoenix -- The Suns remain shorthanded with Marion gone and Shaq not suited up. The Dubs should simply be able to out-run them in Oaktown.

Utah (-6.5) over SEATTLE -- Andrei Kirilenko trade rumors aren't good enough reasons to pick against the Jazz right now. We can't think of any others.

Washington over LA CLIPPERS (-4.5) -- In the words of Money from the Parking Lot's Bill Powell, "The Clippers are favored?" Yeah, he's a Clippers blogger.

Last night: 4-2
Season: 401-362

The Picksix: Suns giving too many

BOSTON (-0.5) over San Antonio -- This Celts team feels like it can really make a statement today, especially without KG. We'll see what they're made of.

LA Lakers (-9.5) over MIAMI -- The loss to the Hawks and the two poor performances from Kobe earlier in the week woke this team up. Bryant will play big against Dwyane Wade, and his team will show up in a big way.

Charlotte over DETROIT (-13.5) -- Too many points.

Dallas (-5.5) over NEW JERSEY -- The Mavs are a lot better than the Nets.

Toronto (-4.5) over MINNESOTA -- The Raps will be gunning hard coming off of a home loss to the Clippers on Friday. The Wolves put everything they had on the table against the Celts...and still came up short. Which means they could come out flat today.

CLEVEAND (-2.5) over Denver -- Denver isn't great on the road (9-13), and LeBron is really on his own planet as of late.

Washington over PHOENIX (-13.5) -- The Suns haven't been rolling with particular ease of late, and it doesn't help matters that they are particularly shorthanded now. Shawn Marion is gone, and Shaquille O'Neal is still getting healthy. We'll take the points.

Last night: 4-3
Season: 387-356

The Picksix: Slow Sunday

PHOENIX (-11.5) over New Jersey -- Losers of four straight, the Nets come off an overtime loss in Los Angeles with an immediate trip into the Valley of the Sun. Seems like a formula for disaster.

Enjoy your conference championships today, folks.

Last night: 4-7
Season: 312-281

The Picksix: Suns and Rockets to romp

Denver over ATLANTA (-2.5) -- The Nuggets should bounce back from a rough defensive outing last night in Charlotte.

Chicago over ORLANDO (-6.5) -- The Magic have been inconsistent of late, and they aren't dominant at home, having won just 7 of 15 in Orlando. The Bulls keep this one close.

Washington (-2.5) over NEW YORK -- Doctrine. And given the Wizards' recent home-and-home sweep over the C's, why not?

DETROIT (-8.5) over Toronto -- A 25-point loss to the Knicks coupled with a squeaker in Charlotte should have the Pistons raring to get one back.

Golden State (-7.5) over MINNESOTA -- The Wolves are 1-5 in 2008, with all five losses coming by double-digit margins.

Cleveland (-1.5) over MEMPHIS -- The Cavs have gotten off to a 5-1 start in the new year primarily by beating bad teams (Sacramento, Seattle, Charlotte). Tonight will be more of the same in Memphis.

HOUSTON (-9.5) over Philadelphia -- Playing Texas games on back-to-back nights won't serve the Sixers well. The Rockets have been rolling it up on inferior opponents of late, Sunday's loss to New Orleans (not an inferior opponent) excepted.

Phoenix (-7.5) over LA CLIPPERS -- Because we've got no reason to assume this night will be any different than the Suns' last trip to the Staples Center, in which they flattened the Clips by 20.

Last night: 4-3
Season: 294-259