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AC TITTICOCK'S WEEKLY FREE NBA BASKETBALL PICKS AND WINNERS
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AC's Wagercom 2006-2007 NBA Picks Season Record
Wins: 76 Losses: 74 Ties: 1
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 has had 3 consecutive winning seasons picking NBA games against the spread for a combined 317-281 record yielding a 53% winning percentage which would have won you money including the VIG. AC does this out of the kindness of his heart and for the naked pictures of your girlfriends you send him as a token of your appreciation. So enjoy the columns and the picks..
AC'S NBA BASKETBALL FREE PICKS WEEK 19:
In a strange sports week, Pete Rose finally admitted to gambling on the Reds to win every night (which explains why he is broke), Pac Man Jones found himself in more trouble at a bowling alley (and if I ever see Pac Man Jones anywhere, I will do a 7-10 split right out of there, and yes that was a little bowling humor), and Kobe got fined again for elbowing another crappy white guy in the head (look out Matt Carroll). In other words, same old same old. While sports news may be repetitive, there are 4 NBA stories going unnoticed which deserve some attention.
Indiana Pacers have lost 11 games in a row:
That is not a typo, the Pacers are simply playing horribly. While this has been a season of streaks, the Celtics and Sixers losing 15+ in a row, and the Mavs and Suns winning 15+ in a row, the Pacers’ streak hasn’t garnered much attention. Ever since Artest pulled a nutty in Detroit 2 years ago, this team has been a mess. They still rely on a Jamaal Tinsley at the point (the extra “a” in “Jamaal” is for atrocious) and feature zero scorers who can create for themselves. The midseason dumping of Stephen Jackson had to be done, but getting Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy Jr. is like finding out you have gonorrhea instead of AIDs, in other words, you still have to keep that condom on.
So what can the Pacers do to turn things around? Unfortunately, nothing this year. A healthy O’Neal will help but they need a PG, a scorer, and a shooter. Their backcourt is thinner than the anorexic Olsen twin. I am sure Donnie Walsh and Larry Bird are going to blow this team up in the summer (wouldn’t you?) with O’Neal being shipped out of town and Tinsley being put out to sleep, but until then, this team will struggle.
The Sixers are playing above .500 since Iverson left:
I am really not making that up. The Sixers plays with the intensity of a college team most nights which is rare in the NBA. These guys know their roles, don’t squabble over shots, and stay within themselves. Watching them play drives home how important having a good pg is. I don’t know why Andre Miller was so average with every other team he has been on, but he fits this Sixers team perfectly. He controls the game and distributes the ball to the right player in the right spot over 80% of the time. Add that to the all-around play of Igoudala, the shooting of Kyle Korver, and the strangely effective play of the Joe Smith, Stephen Hunter, Sam Dalembert front court and you have a team that is somehow a threat to win every night. I really think Mo Cheeks should be coach of the year, and I am not joking. He has this team playing hard and most importantly, playing within themselves. Rarely can an NBA team play without ego, but that is what is happening in Philly and it’s actually kind of fun to watch. They are winning on hustle and you can’t teach that (well you can, but work with me here).
The streak of LeDong James
There was a lot of talk about a month ago about LeDong mailing it in this season and focusing on his marketing agenda rather than basketball. Perhaps he used that as motivation because since the All-Star game he his scoring average has gone up 6 points to 32.5 points per game while maintaining his 6 rebounds and six assists per game as well. Since the all-star game, LeDong has led the Cavs to a 9-3 record including their current 7 game win streak putting them back into second place in the East. Everyone knows LeDong is surrounded by a team weaker than an episode of According to Jim so the fact that he has them playing .750 ball since the all-star break is a testament to how good he is playing. One player can win championships in this watered down NBA and LeDong is good enough to do that. Will it happen this year? Doubtful, but for all of those who derided LeDong this year, watch out. LeDong is on fire.
The gap between the haves and the have-nots:
This may be the first year in history that each conference will feature a playoff team with a record under .500. No really, look it up (and please do look it up and let me know if I am right). As of now there would be two Eastern Conference teams under .500 making the playoffs and one Western Conference team. This is really unheard of in professional sports. Basically, the top teams are so much better than everyone else that they hardly ever lose and the mid-tier of teams simply doesn’t exist anymore. Teams are either really good, or really bad, with little in between. Some of this may be due to the strength of the draft lottery this year with teams not playing hard all the time in order to get more chances at Durant or Oden, and some of this may be due to the numerous injuries this year. However, a lot of this may have to do with all of the young players in the league who simply don’t know how to play. Veteran teams can abuse these younger teams as the age gap is worse than it has ever been. There are 5 legitimately good NBA teams (Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio, Houston, Detroit), 2 mediocre NBA teams (Cleveland and Utah), and the rest are just awful, really, they are. I have seen more talent in Siberian comedy clubs during the height of the gulags than I have in the NBA this year. The product is too diluted, but hey it’s still Fannnnnnntastic.
Friday Night NBA Picks
Utah -4.5 at Philadelphia:
I know, the Sixers are 21-20 since Iverson was traded and have won 7 out of 9. I also know they keep covering the spread. So why take Utah and give 4.5 to the Sixers in Philly? Simple, the Sixers have no one to cover Boozer and Kirilenko should be able to neutralize Igoudala. The Jazz aren't playing all that well but they should pull this one out tonight. Just hope Deron Williams comes to play.
Boston +14 at Dallas:
I refuse to ever give 14 points in the NBA. The Celtics are terrible, but they have won 5 out of 7 and are playing much better as of late. The Mavericks are definitely going to come out strong after blowing it against the Suns (and once again Nowitzki couldn't hit free throws in the clutch, I wonder if "Dirk" is German for "choke"). The Celtics are going to lose, and it won't be close, but 14 is way too many points to give. Enjoy the Rajon Rondo show but if you are sitting in the front few rows, watch out for his errant shots, you don't want to get popped in the head by one of them while not looking. I haven't seen a shooter as bad as Rondo since Dick Cheney went quail hunting.
Detroit at Phoenix Over 202:
Two contrasting styles, two good teams, too few points. The Pistons can score when they want and the Suns should be able to dictate the pace (I said dick, sort of). As long as Nash is on the court, the Suns should crack the 100 point barrier so they just need the Pistons to stick with them for awhile. This will be close but take the over and root for Richard Hamilton to have a big night.
Portland at LA Lakers Under 200.5:
Sergio Rodriguez and Dan Dickau may stay in the hotel for fear of being the next victim of Kobe Bryant's elbow which Kobe only directs at crappy white players. I really don't know what to make of this phenomenon, but I find it strangely intriguing. Anyway, these teams are both struggling and when that happens you take the under. Just hope the Blazers can keep Kobe under 70, and I am only partly joking about that.
Saturday Night NBA Picks:
1-3 last night thanks to the Lakers-Blazers going into overtime and killing my under. The second time I have lost the under due to OT in 3 weeks, and yes I am bitter. I warned you about Kobe dropping 70 and he almost did with 65, so that sucked. Tonight I will win it all back for you so open up the wallet and make the reservations for The World Famous Mitchell Brothers O’Farrell Theatre.
Utah at Cleveland -5:
Boozer is going back to Cleveland after walking out on a deal he had with the Cavs which means he is going to get treated by the Cleveland fans like Kobe Bryant treats Colorado hotel workers. In other words, he really shouldn’t bend over. With the Cavs still angered over Boozer’s defection, look for them to try to stick it to the Jazz. LeDong might drop 50 tonight so take the Cavs and hope at least one other player can crack 20 points for them.
Chicago -5 at Memphis:
Memphis is playing worse than blind a man at darts. They like to run but unfortunately don’t like to play defense or finish on the break. The Bulls have been a bit up and down and certainly haven’t been putting teams away as of late. Look for that to change tonight with a 20 point win for Chicago. Just root for them to actually try tonight and not take a day off. You hear that Skiles?
Golden Shower State at Seattle Under 218:
Whenever I pick against the Sonics, Ray Allen has a huge night. Just hope that doesn’t happen tonight as if he scores under 30, this game will not go over 218.
Phoenix -3 at Denver:
Fun game to watch but the Suns should handle the Nuggets easily. I still think the Nuggets will be a threat in the playoffs, but they’re not quite there yet. Take the Suns and hope they shoot better than last night against the Pistons.
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