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AC TITTICOCK'S WEEKLY FREE NBA BASKETBALL PICKS AND WINNERS
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AC's 2005-2006 NBA Picks Season Record
Wins: 89 Losses: 86 Ties: 3
NBA Picks Winning Percentage: 51%
Record updated Saturdays and Mondays
Contact AC at ac@wagercom.com or post your questions/comments on the Wagercom Message Board
Read AC's Bio
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 and has improved that to a 57% winning percentage against the spread completing the 2004-2005 season.
NBA WEEK 23 COLUMN & FREE PICKS:
With the end of the season approaching, it is interesting to look at how team performed against expectations. Some teams exceeded them, some didn’t meet them, and some performed as if Isiah Thomas were the GM. I thought I’d take a quick look at the three teams that beat or didn’t meet expectations the most. And by the way, was this the first shot Julius Hodge hit all year.
Teams that most exceeded expectations:
1. New Orleans/OKC: I don’t think anyone other than Mrs. Paul (Chris’s mom and not the fish lady, though it would be weird if they were the same) would have predicted the impact Chris would have on the NBA in his first season. He has singlehandedly brought stability, leadership, and focus to the Whorenets. Add in the solid play of David West and Speedy Claxton and this team has beat expectations by more than any other. They are still missing a solid shooter and a better small forward, but with Paul in the backcourt they should be playoff contenders every year.
2. LA Clippers: Hello Sam Cassell, goodbye lottery. Cassell, Brand, the underrated Chris Kaman, and a solid bench have led the Clippers to a 44 win season so far. All of which was accomplished with only 30 games from Corey Maggette. Usually the league doormat, the Clips have played with more energy and enthusiasm than a guy about to bang Lindsay Lohan (post cocaine and anoxeria, nobody would have more energy and enthusiasm than a guy about to bone her before she started to look like Skeletor). I have denigrated this team for the better part of the year but I am firmly on the bandwagon now, right next to Wagercom.com’s editor and Bob Saget.
3. Phoenix Suns: Without Amare, the Suns seemed to be in for a struggle but then two things happened, Shawn Marion reminded us that he was one of the most underrated players in the league and every bench player/secondary player has filled it up. Most of the performance by the secondary players can go to Steve Nash finding them open looks, but still, they are draining those looks. Raja Bell, Eddie House, Leandro “don’t call me Leonardo” Barbosa, James Jones, and even Tim Thomas have shot lights out. I bet even Kedrick Brown could average 10 points per game on this Phoenix team (and what a great experiment that would be. In fact, how about a reality show where washed up and has been NBA players get to be the 5th starter for the Suns for 3 games each until one is voted in as permanent starter by the fans. I can already see Kedrick, Joe Forte, Chris Corchiani, and Ridney Monroe waiting by their phones.). They are fun to watch but don’t expect a big run in the post season. Next year with Amare may be the start of the Suns’ era.
Teams that most missed expectations:
1. New York Knicks: They are not just the worst team, but they are the worst team that has talent enough to be around .500. A hall of fame coach, a bunch of veteran players, some talented young guys, and a GM worse at his job than the guy at department of homeland security who was caught downloading porn, apparently is a recipe for disaster. Perhaps we should have better seen this coming, you know, with Isiah ruining everything else he has tried so far, but this is almost unfathomable. I don’t know how much more there is to say. At least it was over quickly for the people on the Titanic.
2. Houston Rockets: Injuries have killed this team. McGrady, Yao, McGrady again, Alston, McGrady again, Wesley, and Mcgrady one more time. Does anyone know if McGrady switched backs with Abe Vagoda? Not good if you are trying to win basketball games. The bright spot is Yao has been playing Yao-tastic over the past month so perhaps with a healthy McGrady next year the Rockets will begin to live up to their potential.
3. Seattle Supersonics: A surprise playoff team from last is crapping their pants despite almost the same roster. Even if you take out the games they handicapped themselves by letting Bob Weiss coach (did this really happen? No seriously, did an NBA GM interview Bob Weiss and say “this is the guy we need as our coach?” How does stuff like this happen? Does past performance not mean anything?), they are still crappy with a capital diarrhea. Despite having two of the top 20 most dynamic scorers in the league, the Sonics are going to be lucky to win 35 games. Apparently they play defense like Ray Romano makes people laugh, which is never. They have been playing better since adding Earl “The human trade rumor” Watson and Chris “Contract year” Wilcox, so look for them to contend for a playoff spot again next year.
So without further ado, on to this weeks picks:
NBA FRIDAY FREE PICKS:
Washington -4.5 at Atlanta:
Things I like about Washington: Jamison and Arenas. Things I like about Atlanta: I don't live there. Take the Wiz and hope they play with any intensity.
Toronto at New Orleans/OKC -6.5:
New Orleans still thinks they have a shot at the playoffs while Toronto still thinks they have a shot at being the best team in Canada. What's that? There is only one team in Canada? Well since the Raptors have that all wrapped up, I guess they have no reason to try tonight. Take the Whorenets and hope they play some defense.
Utah at Minnesota Under 187:
This game is just an eyesore for all involved. Perhaps they will call it at halftime which means the under will definitely win.
Dallas +5 at San Antonio:
The Mavs want it more. This game means nothing to the Spurs since they are saving it until the playoffs. The Mavs want to stick it to them to prove they are ready. Funny thing is the Spurs will dog this game and let Dallas build a false sense of hope only to shatter it like Taylor Rain's anus in the second round of the playoffs.
NBA SATURDAY FREE PICKS:
I would like to thank the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Whornets for blowing a 12 point lead with 2 minutes to go last night. But especially, I would like to thank Speedy Claxton for missing a free throw with 12 seconds to go which would have put the Whorenets up 7 and thus beat the 6.5 point spread for me. Thank you speedy, I hope you are happy that there are kids starving in Bangalore because of that missed shot.
Miami at Washington Under 207:
This game is going to be as ugly as that chick who used to star on Blossom. In other words, don’t watch the game and just masturbate to Blossom’s short little friend.
New Orleans/OKC at Dallas Over 190.5:
Unless Nowitzki is hurt, this game should be over 195 so the 190.5 line seems good to me. The thing about the Whorenets though is Speedy Claxton hates when I win money so be aware of that. He may shoot 2 of 15 just to spite me.
Golden Shower State at Denver -10:
I have changed my pick on this game 3 times already. Can the Warriors really be this bad? I know Chris Mullin is the GM, but can they really be 10 points worse than the ButtNuggets? I think so, especially after playing last night. They have no answer for Melo, Camby, or Andre Miller. Just hope the Nuggets have any intensity at all.
Philadelphia at Chicago Over 198:
I am so tempted to take the Sixers and the points because they are bound to break out of this slump eventually so why not in their biggest game of the year? The fire Billy King campaign is in full force, as it should be, since the Sixers are not only bad now, but have little chance to be good next year. The over should be a good pick since the Sixers play defense like it will give them herpes. So either they now like herpes, or the Bulls go for 115 themselves. Take the Sixers and hope the Bulls shoot over 45%.
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