AC TITTICOCK'S WEEKLY FREE NBA BASKETBALL PICKS AND WINNERS

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11/20/04 Week 3 NBA Picks

AC's outlook on the NBA is an entertaining original column featured here at Wagercom. If you are prone to NBA betting or even just an NBA fan, make sure you come back often to read his articles and free NBA Basketball picks against the spread. AC will be providing us with a weekly outlook during the basketball season including free NBA Basketball picks on some of the weekend games each Friday and Saturday.

Our NBA expert AC wrapped up the 2003-2004 NBA betting season with a 51% winning percentage against the spread on his basketball picks after 190 games.

We have seen many positive signs in the NBA over the first few weeks. Scoring is up, ball movement is gaining steam (and yes I said ball movement), and Kobe has yet to rape anybody. However, as a gambler, the season has been perplexing in a “I can’t believe I got beat by Kyle Korver” kind of way. I lost 3 games last weekend that just should never have been so for this I apologize but still feel that I was right. Korver goes 7-10 from 3 leading the Sixers to comeback from a 15 point 4th quarter deficit to beat the Pacers and cover the spread, Kurt Hinrich hits a running three pointer with no defense on him at the buzzer to cut a 4 point Clipper victory to 1 point and thus have the Bulls cover the 3 point spread, and the Jailblazers blew an 18 point lead to the Raptors at home. I was so angered that I almost flew to Denver and checked into a hotel. Anyway, I have been being bombarded with e-mails about the NBA season so I thought I would answer a few questions.

What is up with the Sonics?

Two words, smoke and mirrors (and by smoke and mirrors I mean luck). Ray Allen is shooting 56% from 3. Let me repeat that again, Ray Allen is shooting 56% from 3 (and barely over 45% from 2). There are only 6 players shooting over 56% from the field, led by my boy Udonis Haslem, big ups to U for leading the league at 65%, my baby’s all growed up. So let’s put this in perspective, Ray Allen is not going to keep it up and the weak front line is going to cost the Sonics over time. I give them props for bringing in dreadlocked Danny Fortson to do some dirty work but this winning steak is a short term phenomena. They have only beat 2 teams over .500 but I will give them the Nuggets so maybe 3 quality teams. When their schedule gets tough and then they will fall faster than Harold “Baby Jordan” Miner’s career.

How can you watch the NBA?

Alcohol, alcohol, and gambling. I find anything is interesting when you combine those three things and that even includes NASCAR, curling, and Stratego (ok, maybe not NASCAR but that is beside the point). The NBA is actually about to make a big comeback. With the influx of International players you are seeing passing and shooting coming back to the league. Teams are beginning to run again in addition to letting some of their point guards actually make decisions. Add that to the emergence of LeDong and you have a nice rally building. The Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons have shown basketball can be fun to watch and you don’t need a superstar to win if you have solid players who know their roles, run the floor, and demonstrate skills. The Heat-Knicks battles of the 1990s are just about over and skill is coming back into style. It is a good time to be an NBA fan so jump on the bandwagon now before the half court trap becomes popular.

Is Latrell Sprewell an idiot?

Yes, but what he didn’t say is that he adopted Shawn Kemp, Oliver Miller, Star Jones, Jon Kruk, and the country of Ethopia. This is why he needs the money to feed his kids.

Who is the most frustrating player to watch?

Eddy Curry. He has unbelievable talent and could dominate if he weren’t so lazy and out of shape. Plus he has the basketball IQ of Chris Mihm, which is equivalent to having the heart of Vince Carter. He could be the next big thing but unfortunately it looks like he is going to wind up as just a could have been. Oh well Eddy, at least you’ll have the memory of the millions of dollars you blew when you’re selling used cars in 20 years.

Picks for Saturday Night:

Utah -7 at Atlanta:

I know the second night of back to back road games is never good but the Jazz come to play. They will put this one away early and watch ‘Toine throw up 3s just for the hell of it.

Minnesota -9 at New Orleans:

Yes, I am taking two big road favorites. Who’s going to stop Garnett?????

Houston at LA Clippers -2:

I hear Maggette is pretty good.

Past Picks for Friday night 11/19:

Milwaukee +4.5 at Portland:

I am still angered by last week’s events plus the Bucks get no respect. In Gadzuric we trust.

Utah at Miami Over 196.5:

Fun and gun is back, now run Shaq run. Dwayne Wade drops in 40 tonight but every Jazz player gets double digits including Felton Spencer and Frank Layden.

San Antonio -6 at Boston:

As a Celtic fan I hate to do this as the Celtics are so close to being a really good team. That said, the Spurs are better than a really good team and who is going to cover Duncan? Mark Blount? Bwahahahaha. Take the Spurs.

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