Now this is more like it. After a bit of a rough patch with the pros, I have settled back into a groove. That is of course if you exclude my pick of the day, my only loss yesterday. The Post didn't give me much to work with yesterday but I still went 2-0. I only have one "Classic" game today but a five pack of games to play with.
All picks made on the NY Post Line. Home team in all CAPS.
NBA
Minnesota -3.5 over WASHINGTON
Minnesota hasn't done well for me as a favorite lately but I am starting to sour on Washington. Yes, it has taken only nine games but it just seems that Washington can't win the close ones. They've lost in overtime twice and thrice more have let leads go in the fourth quarter. I feel that this game will be close but in the end the Wiz will somehow gag the game away.
DETROIT -3 over New York
Detroit has had a brutal early schedule (@ Memphis, Portland & Golden State and home against Oklahoma City & Indiana), a main reason why they are 3-6. Two of those wins have come at home against struggling teams. The adjective struggling perfectly describes the Knicks at this point. I feel that Detroit's early season battle testing will allow them to easily dispatch the Knickerbockers on their home floor. Expect the twin towers of Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe to have field days for your fantasy team.
MIAMI -10 over Atlanta
Atlanta has somehow wriggled their way to six wins early on. Oh wait, they haven't played a team over .500 since losing to Dallas on opening night. That's how they did it. Miami hasn't been consistently blowing teams out but I think that Atlanta is coming off a big win against New York and may have expended too much energy doing so. Even with their starters on the bench in the fourth quarter I think the Heat cover this number with ease.
Boston +11.5 HOUSTON PICK OF THE DAY!
Saying that they are streaky would be an understatement when describing the 2013-2014 Boston Celtics. 4 losses then 4 wins then 3 losses. I think tonight makes loss number four (presumably followed by four wins) for Beantown. I just don't think Houston has 12 more points than Boston in them. Then again, I am already turning on Washington. It may be time for me to change my tune on the Rockets. If they cover 11.5 on Boston I just may.
Phoenix +3 over SACRAMENTO
I don't buy into Phoenix's start. They have a large losing streak looming. I can feel it. Too bad for Sacramento that streak isn't starting tonight. Yes, nobody on Phoenix can stop DeMarcus Cousins. Nobody on the perimeter for the Kings can stop Eric Bledsoe though. Take Phoenix and the points. I'm taking them outright.
NCAA Men's
Kansas -17 over IONA
Kansas is coming off a early signature win over Duke. Iona had a not so signature win over Wofford. The Jayhawks should have little trouble with the Gaels, even with three of them shooting over 47%. North Carolina's loss to Belmont puts doubt on to any superpower with a big line to cover, but I cannot fathom Kansas missing 26 free throws against an opponent like Iona.
PENN STATE -1 over LaSalle
Penn State continues its magical Pennsylvania tour against the Atlantic 10's LaSalle Explorers. They are 1-1 so far with a win against Penn and a loss to Bucknell. It is a coin flip between the Nittany Lions and the 2013 Sweet 16 Explorers. More often than not for me that flip is having me take the home team.
AUBURN -6 over Jacksonville State
OK this is a tough one. Auburn is really bad at basketball. They just lost to Northwestern State by 19 points. The thing is that Jacksonville State is 0-4 and is averaging under 70 ppg. If Auburn does one thing well it is scoring. I'll take the Tigers -6 but I am sure the Gamecocks get over their season average easily. War Eagle!
KENTUCKY -25 over Texas-Arlington
Everybody can see the prestige of the Keightley Classic. The tribute to "Mr. Wildcat" brought in some amazing talent. Cleveland State, Eastern Michigan, and UK's opponent tonight and the newest member of the prestigious Sun Belt Conference, Texas-Arlington were the chosen three for this inaugural event. This will be a laugher if Kentucky can avoid the pitfalls of their youth, lackadaisical defending and poor free throw shooting.
DePaul Pick over MILWAUKEE
I couldn't find any underdog I liked outside of this pick 'em game. I just have a hunch that DePaul will take it to UW-Milwaukee on the road. Just a hunch.
Last Day's NBA Record: 5-1
NBA Record for 2013: 60-35
Last Day's NCAA Men's Record: 2-0
NCAA Men's Record for 2013: 23-15
Last Day's All Picks Record: 8-4
All Picks Record for 2013: 158-127-2