I took a day off from picks yesterday. OK, I couldn't get online and had twenty boxes to process at work. I don't have much time today so I am just going to make some prognostications on the hardcourt. I went a perfect 5-0 with the amateurs and 2-2-1 (yes, my first push...fucking Sacramento) with the NBA. Good but my pick of the day once again failed me. So for now the Pick of the Day is being put on the disabled list but it will be back I promise. Two big NBA matchups tonight and the continuation of several midseason tournaments in the college ranks leaves me with a five pack of games to pick. It is an early day, Charlotte and Kansas State just tipped off in Puerto Rico, so enough with the jibber jabber I need (to get to) work.
All picks made on the NY Post Line. Home team in all CAPS.
NBA
OKLAHOMA CITY -4.5 over LA Clippers
Three of the Clippers four losses have come on the road. The Thunder are undefeated at home. Chris Paul & Russell Westbrook cancel each other out. The same can be said for DeAndre Jordan & Serge Ibaka. If I am a betting man though, I am taking Kevin Durant to make a bigger difference than Blake Griffin every time. City wins comfortably.
Chicago PICK over DENVER
Chicago is a tricky team right now. Derrick Rose looked to return to form in handing Indiana their first loss of the season. Their defense is as good as it has ever been. So why are they just a pick 'em against a 4-6 Denver team? Ty Lawson at your service. Averaging 22 and 9, Lawson has been on fire lately. Unlucky though for the North Carolina product, the rest of his team has let him down when it matters most. Chicago's better supporting cast of their moneymaker makes them my pick in this pick 'em game.
NCAA Men's
Georgetown -13.5 over Northeastern {Neutral Site}
A 13-5 line for a team like Georgetown is scary. They have never been a great offensive team and all it takes is one off night to turn a game like this into a race to 50 points. Alas, I think the Hoyas will easily dispose of Northeastern in Puerto Rico and keep my winning streak in D-1 alive.
Connecticut -8.5 over Boston College {Neutral Site}
Former Big East foes collide tonight under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. The ACC's Eagles and the American Athletic Conference's Huskies will play for the first time since BC's departure. UCONN has made easy work of their opponents (save Maryland) early on and though BC has been in every game so far they've lost three games to lesser competition and just eked out a win over Florida Atlantic. The Huskies are the best defensive team BC has faced and won't stop BC's top scorer Olivier Hanlan but they'll contain him.
Florida State +8 Virginia Commonwealth {Neutral Site}
VCU is tough. They've gone from Cinderella to mid major powerhouse under Shaka Smart. My leaning towards Florida State is no condemnation of the Rams but more praise of the Seminoles' early form. If this game was at the Stuart Siegel Center I may take the Rams laying eight but at a neutral site I think the Seminoles can cover that number with VCU still being victorious.
Last Day's NBA Record: 2-2-1
NBA Record for 2013: 62-37-1
Last Day's NCAA Men's Record: 5-0
NCAA Men's Record for 2013: 28-15
Last Day's All Picks Record: 13-8-1
All Picks Record for 2013: 171-135-3