AC TITTICOCK'S WEEKLY FREE NBA BASKETBALL PICKS AND WINNERS

NBA BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS WEEK 1

The regular season is finally over and that means no more Scottie “Baby Daddy” Pippen, no more watching the Magic-Sixers games, and maybe no more Kedrick Brown (I know he has a contract but in three years the best thing the guy has done is not complain about sitting on the bench). With that said, it’s now time to enjoy the playoffs where we may see some of the seasons best basketball, that is if we don’t watch the East. Knicks and Celtics in the playoffs, huh? They are 39-43 and 36-46, terrible, but it’s the 2004 NBA where it’s not how good you are but how bad your opponent is. So on to the first round playoff preview.

East:

Celtics vs. Pacers: Aren’t we glad these are now best of 7? Ugh. The Pacers will win four straight by an average margin of 15 points. As noted here in every previous column, the Celtics are horrible and are now playing with no heart. The Pacers have a lot to prove as they are the big dog in the East (is that more like being the smart kid on the short bus or the skinny girl in fat camp?) but get no respect. I expect Ron Artest to shut down The Truth Paul Pierce (little known fact, the “truth” is that he sucks this year) and the rest of the Celtics to go quietly into the night. The easiest series Larry Brown will ever win but when you are coaching against one of Jerry’s kids, how hard can it be.

Prediction: Pacers in 4

Knicks vs. Nets: Hmm, a healthy Nets team demolishes the Knicks but you have to wonder about Martin and Kidd. Also, you think Marbury would try to step it up in the playoffs and the Knicks young guys are starting to play well. I actually think this will be a close series but the Nets are too good.

Prediction: Nets in 5

Bucks at Pistons: What a shame the Bucks have to play Detroit in the first round. They have a nice little team (Redd, Ford, Van Horn, Cummings, Moncrief, Pressey) but not enough fire power to handle the new and improved Pistons. Image how good Detroit will be when they unleash Darko, bwhahahaahaha!!!!!! Sorry Bucks, you did well and tried hard but this isn’t your year.

Prediction: Pistons in 5

Hornets vs. Heat: Here’s the thing, the Hornets really really suck, but the good news for them is that Miami isn’t all that much better. To be fair, I actually think the Heat are playing very well and have had a great turnaround thanks to my boy Udonis Haslem (ok, it’s really due to Odom and Wade, but you always have to give props to the Big U). Rafer Alston has been filling it up from 3 and Caron Butler shook off the cobwebs and occasionally drops in double figures. I like the Heat, mainly because the Hornets lost me a lot of money this year which brings me to rule number 392A, never bet on Tim Floyd.

Prediction: Heat in 6

West:

Nuggets vs. Wolves: It is time, Garnett is the chosen one and now he is ready to shine. Sorry Carmelo, you’re no Ledong and certainly no Taylor Rain (Warning: This link takes you to the Excalibur Web Page for Taylor Rain which contains adult material - You've been warned!) but you’ve got some game. Problem is, you are running into KG at the wrong time. My advice is to watch, learn, and try to imitate the leadership skills next year. KG, Sprewell, and Cassell, are just too much.

Prediction: Wolves in 5

Rockets vs. Lakers: Wow, this is a tough match-up. I love Yao, he can abuse Shaq Daddy and how about some props for all underrated Jimmy Jackson. Sure he might have lost out to Jamal Mashburn with Toni Braxton but for f sake her name is Toni. She probably pees standing up. The problem here is, Kobe, Shaq, Karl, and Payton, are really good. This match-up wreaks of an upset but the Lakers are too good. It is a shame because the Rockets would win the East. Oh well, when there is an 800 pound gorilla in the house, don’t fight him.

Prediction: Lakers in 6

Grizzlies at Spurs: Duncan meet Pau, Pau meet summer vacation. Memphis is a nice story, but it ends here.

Prediction: Spurs in 4

Mavericks at Kings: Ugh, two teams that can fill it up. I don’t know what the problem with the Mavs is this year. You’d think Nash and Dirk could dominate but the Mavs choked largely because the Antoines really aren’t that good. Walker kills teams because he doesn’t understand he needs to rebound and play in the post. The Kings are good, especially with Christina Weber back. I like Cuban but too much tinkering comes back to bite you.

Prediction: Kings in 4

On to the free NBA Playoff picks for Saturday April 17th:

Boston at Indiana -10:

Like I said, the Celtics suck and by suck I mean they are terrible. Take the Pacers and be happy.

Dallas at Sacramento -4.5:

Kings are good. Webber is angry. Antoine like the three. Kings are going to show up for game one, count on it.

Houston at Lakers -8.5:

Taking another home team. Why? Why not. Seriously, the Lakers have a lot to prove and it starts in game one.

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