Luol Deng
FREE NBA PICKS FOR NOVEMBER 19, 2009
Greetings. Back-to-back terrible nights for us. We went 3-5 ATS on Tuesday and followed it up with a 6-6 night. Not a losing night (except for the vig), but not even in the same area code of where we need to be. With that, our season record ATS stands at 43-34-1. Here is what we like tonight:
Suns @ Hornets +8: The Suns must be looking forward to rollin’ into the Big Easy right now. Especially Steve Nash who will not have to put up with Chris Paul on either side of the ball. This is HUGE for this match-up. With CP3 in the line-up, this is a much different team. It will free-up Nash on both sides of the ball. Phoenix are terrible on their last few Thursday games (5-17 ATS in their last 22) and against the Hornets (2-8 ATS in their last 10 meetings). However the head-to-head stat, we think, is a product of CP3. Now that he is out, this is a different game. The only injury the Suns have is Robin Lopez. This won’t be a factor. Take the Suns and give the points.
Beware Hornets!! If All Else Fails, The Suns Will Resort to Groping to Get Us a Cover!!!!
Jazz @ Spurs -5: The home team (19-7 ATS in their last 26 meetings) and favorite (19-7 ATS in their last 26 meetings) has a huge advantage in their series as of late. Both teams are off games last night with the Jazz travelling into San Antonio for tonight’s game. The Spurs are off a tough loss to the Mavericks in Dallas last night. That game showed us that the Spurs cannot beat good teams with just Tim Duncan alone. It is too much to ask. Tonight, there is a good chance he rides solo again as Ginobili is out and there is a good chance Tony Parker will not play. Not good for the Spurs. Deron Williams is getting his legs back underneath him, and he looked great last night. That will be the key to this game-the Jazz bring way too many healthy weapons to the court. They may not win, but they will cover. Take the Jazz and the points.
Although He Won't Be Playing Tonight, His Annoying Style of Play Will Still Manage to Annoy Us From the Bench. The Flop Will Not Cover!!!!
Bulls @ Lakers -9.5: Game two for the Bulls on their annual circus road trip. They spanked the Kings in game one. Tonight they get a much harder opponent in the Lakers. The Lakers have struggled as of late, but they seemed to turn it around last time out against the Pistons. They get a HUGE lift tonight as Pau Gasol is scheduled to return. He poses huge problems for the Bulls. He will be the key along with the Lakers front court. They will have too much for the Bulls. We are going against the grain a little on this-most of the significant ATS numbers scream take the Bulls. Take the Lakers and give the points.
As always, good luck with your picks.
Runny & Flash
NBA PICKS FOR NOVEMBER 17, 2009
Greetings folks. 2-1 last night brings our season ATS record to 34-23-1. Not great, but we are inching closer and closer to our standards. There are a ton of games tonight which equals a ton of more opportunities for us to make you scratch!! Here is what we like tonight:
Warriors @ Cavs -14.5: This is a huge amount of points to give, especially for a Cavs team that is not blowing out teams like it did last year. However, this Warriors team is starting from scratch. They may only have 7 available players tonight as Stephen Jackson (traded-thankfully for Warriors fans), Raja Bell (wrist), Andris Biedrins (abs), Brandan Wright (Shoulder) and Kelenna Azubuike (knee) are out and CJ Watson (Swine Flu) and Vladimir Radmanovic are doubtful for tonight. Ridding themselves of Stephen jackson is a great move to build this franchise in the right direction, however, they will have too little for a rested Cavs team. We regret the points, but the Cavs should cover. Take the Cavs and give the points.
At Least The Warriors Fans Won't Have to Deal With This Anymore
Pacers @ Nets +4.5: The Nets can’t buy a win. They are the only winless team in the league. They are crushed win injuries and they are playing a Pacers team that has really turned their season around. Also, nearly all ATS numbers say take the Pacers. Then why are we even going into this game in any sort of analytical way??? Because we are taking the Nets!!! That is what our analysis says and we are sticking to it. Take the Nets and the points.
We Love Ya Hovi, But They Won't Suck Tonight!!!
Thunder @ Heat -6.5: The Thunder have to be the surprise team of this early season. They are playing tough and even when they lose, they show you that they are on the right track. They get a tough test in Miami tonight against a Heat team that has not ventured too far from South Beach this season. The Heat have been good, but they struggled defensively their past two times out. However, the Heat will be rested and should get O’Neal and Chalmers back tonight. We think this will be a fun game to watch, but the Heat will muscle out the cover in the end. Ignore the fact that the road team is 8-0 ATS in the last head-to-head meetings. Take the Heat and give the points.
Now That the Grandparents Are In Bed, The Kids Can Play!!!!
Clippers @ Hornets -2.5: The Hornets will be without CP3 for quite a while and they are in a huge donwspin. They fired their coach and pissed off their best player in pretty much one night. Tonight they get a Clipp team that they have dominated in recent years (11-1 ATS in their last 12 meetings). However, this is not the typical Clippers and this is certainly not the same Hornets team that has covered in most of those games. Losing CP3 is HUGE. It means that Baron Davis is not as old as he really is which will allow him more freedom on both sides of the ball. We love the Clippers here. Take the Clippers and the points.
If It Worked For Arod and The Yankees, It Can Work For the Clippers, Too!!!!
Suns @ Rockets -3: We love the Suns in this one. They hit a little of a lull the past two games, but they should bounce back tonight. We don’t buy into the Rockets. We think it is a lot of smoke and mirrors. We think the Suns win this game outright. Take the Suns and the points.
Raptors @ Nuggets -8: The Raptors have been decent this year and have two of the best big men in the league. However, this Nuggets team is nasty and the Raptors have not had much luck in the Mile High city. We love the Nuggets here. They will be rested and this is a long road trip for the Raptors. Plus, they are Canadian and they won’t know what hit them-haha!. Take the Nuggets and give the points.
Just Remember Who You Are Dealin' Wit Toronto!!!!!
Bulls @ Kings +3: This is the start of the yearly “Circus Road Trip” for the Bulls as they begin their daunting travels due to the circus coming to Chicago. This is a tough first stop on the journey for them as they play a Kings team that is lovin’ the home life. Arco Arena is a tough place to play, and the Bulls have not had much luck their in recent history (2-6 ATS in their last 8 against the Kings). We are taking the Kings. Love the points. Take the Kings and the points.
Not Luol's House Tonight!! The Kings Will Reign!!!
Pistons @ Lakers -9.5: The Lakers look to avoid their 3rd straight loss and are coming off two of their worse games in years. They have been terrible ATS this year (3-7) and Kobe is nursing a groin sprain. However, the Pistons may be without Rodney Stuckey, which is a waaaayy bigger concern. Pistons own this match-up ATS (12-5-1 ATS in the last 18 meetings). However, we think the Lakers right the ship tonight. Take the Lakers and give the points.
As always, good luck with your picks.
Runny & Flash