4* Money Maker NY KNICKS 

5* Best Bet GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 

Taking the THUNDER. Yeah. You lose 152-79, and you sit for 3 days waiting to get back on the court. Then you get points from Detroit who is much better covering when they are getting double digits, not laying points. I don't come out with a ton of NBA regular season plays - but there is no way I am passing up a chance to back a team off a 73 point loss. They lost by almost the same amount points they scored! Last I checked, the Thunder are still an NBA team team. Right. Right? 8* Sure Shot OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 

Taking the NUGGETS. These guys won 5 of the last 6 vs the Clippers. Also. And I have said this before about LAC, and other teams. You just can't turn it on. Morris and Jackson new in town for 6 and 3 games. They need to learn the flow. Paul George has been struggling. The load management/ injury things hurt the overall game play. Getting a nice amount of points. Easy play backing the road team. 8* Sure Shot DENVER NUGGETS

5* Best Bet BROOKLYN NETS

5* Best Bet INDIANA PACERS 

8* Sure Shot TORONTO RAPTORS 

Taking the BULLS as a Best Bet to start the season. Like this young Chicago team. A lot of good young guys. Everyone healthy. Charlotte a lot of rebuilding going on. Lose their leader in Kemba. Who is stepping up in a close game? I think Bulls surprise some teams this season. LaVine, Markkannan, Dunn, Porter, Carter Jr. Some solid pieces. 5* Best Bet CHICAGO BULLS 

Taking the NETS. Where is the motivation for the Heat? Wade's last home game last night. A big night for him. Team wins but is knocked out of the playoffs. Now on the road. I don't think even being locked into the playoffs that Brooklyn will take things for granted. This franchise has been down and I think finishing above .500 is better than 41-41. 10* Money Bomb BROOKLYN NETS

Taking the BLAZERS. Nice spot for Portland. Well, coming back from a road trip isn't ideal, but what makes this so appealing is New Orleans off Golden State. Every team, especially a team that is trying to show it will be a playoff team, will bring the proverbial 'A' game against the Warriors. There will always be a let down when a good team plays GS, then is on the court the very next day. Then we add in that the Trailblazers are also a team that plays with the old disrespected chip on it's' shoulder. Siding with the home faves here. 4* Money Maker PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS 

Taking the NUGGETS. Denver rolled last game vs Spurs. Look for a pride beat-down of the Mavericks. 5* Best Bet DENVER NUGGETS

Taking the WIZARDS tonight. One. Washington off a home loss to Dallas as double digit faves. You know they want to redeem themselves from that mess. Plus. They have revenge as the Lakers beat them out in LA. You know they want to humiliate Ball. Can you imagine the trash talk as his brother is going to be locked up China for at least a few weeks! - Look. Wizards have struggled out the gate. Their bench hasn't helped much. This is b2b to LAL who played Boston last night, while the the homies rested and planned their revenge. 8* Sure Shot WASHINGTON WIZARDS 

Taking the CLIPPERS here. So Utah ran them out of the playoffs last year. But both teams lost a big star in the off-season. That being said, I just like the LAC roster more. So, they beat up the Lakers and then rolled Suns. Now they get to really put it together against a 'better' team. And what better way to open up things and get see how good you are than by beating a team that has success against you. Just think Clips have something to prove here. 8* Sure Shot LA CLIPPERS 

Taking LEBRON here. Look. I would love to have a huge discussion here about what James is doing in this Finals. Simply put here. Cavs are home, and have played with great hustle and defense and guile in this series. Those can't be overlooked. Curry looks like he is finding his stroke. But I what I see in LeBron, like the 'I'm the best player' talk shows me he is really upping his role of what he needs to do. Tough to not back the best player on the planet getting points at home against a young team that has shown it can be beat. 4* CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Taking GOLDEN STATE here. I thought the Cavs a little something going for themselves heading into Game 4. Fact is, we should have just unloaded on the Warriors. You don't have the most wins in the league by being a fluke. They are simply deeper and more talented than Cleveland. If Kyrie and Love are here, well it is a different game. When you are relying on Shumpert and Smith, and hoping Miller or even Marion can make serious contributions, you are in trouble. Curry seems to be finding his stroke. LeBron looks utterly exhausted from carrying an entire team, city and state on his back. Warriors should win this by 10+ tonight. 4* Money Maker GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

5* Best Bet ATLANTA HAWKS

10* Money Bomb CHICAGO BULLS

5* Best Bet MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

5* Best Bet GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

5* Best Bet CHICAGO BULLS

8* Sure-Shot HOUSTON ROCKETS

Taking the SPURS here. I said when we had these guys in Game 1, I thought they were going to win the series. Well the last couple games I didn't see blowouts on the horizon. But, this is the team I thought they were. They gave Miami everything last year and basically choked away a title. That won't happen here at home. I know part of me wants to grab the points with Miami. Tough not to back the back to back Champs after those losses. But I think the Spurs are a bad match-up for the Heat. No shame in winning 2 titles in 4 years for Miami. People just need to curb the LeBron is better than Jordan chatter. The guy is great, but he can't beat a team 1 on 5. Duncan will head off into the sunset with his 5th title. 5th!! Rare air there. 5* Best Bet SAN ANTONIO SPURS 

Taking the HEAT tonight. Ok. Not exactly what I had in mind when I took Miami in Game 3. But after that flat out beat down at home, I look for the Heat to make their own statement tonight. 5* Best Bet MIAMI HEAT 

the same conditions. He has cramped before, so I think it is just poor conditioning. That being said. You really think he isn't going to come out like gang-busters tonight. As much as him not playing helped the Spurs, let's be honest, is San Antonio making 14 of 16 shots in the 4th quarter. Is EITHER team making 14 of 16 in ANY quarter! So yes, LeBron being out the last 7+ minutes helps. Shooting 87% also helps. The Heat were actually winning Game 1 heading to the 4th. 8* Sure Shot MIAMI HEAT 

Taking the SPURS here. I like SA to win this whole thing. We get a repeat of last years finals. We had the Spurs often in that series also. Tough way to go down. But this team, in true veteran fashion is right back to take a swing at the Champs. This team nearly pulled it out last year. I think they will contain James better with Leonard and Diaw. That is going to be difference maker. If they can keep James in check, Spurs with a better team, should win this thing. Trend wise, home team 4-1 ATS L5, fave is 6-2 ATS L8 and Spurs 5-2 ATS last 7 vs Heat. 5* BEST BET SAN ANTONIO SPURS 

Taking the HEAT here. I have had the Pacers all series long. But it is time to take the Heat. Indiana barely escaped last game. And that was with LeBron saddled with foul trouble the entire game and shooting the way you would. One, he will not be in foul trouble at home. Not happening. And he will be very aggressive getting to the rim after that shooting performance. I like the whole, blow in your ear, rattle you thing. LeBron, for as great as he is. Is no Jordan. But I expect to see that Jordan assassin from him tonight. He is sometimes too 'nice' a guy on the court. He will be looking to finish off Indy tonight by himself. 5* Best Bet MIAMI HEAT 

Taking the THUNDER here. Let me get this straight. So SAS beat these guys by 15 and 35 here at home without Ibaka. Ibaka comes back and OKC wins by 9 and 13. Yet the line sits at 5 when it 5.5 and 6 here without Ibaka? Am I missing something? OKC has been ATS gold vs these guys. They were down 0-2 in a series and came back to win it. I will grab whatever points I am lucky to get. These guys just know SA and match up well. 10* Money-Bomb OKC THUNDER 

Taking the PACERS here. Back to the wall for Indiana. Like I have said. These guys match up well. Heat could be short handed without Allen and Anderson. That will be felt. Also, call me crazy, but I think Miami will want to wrap this up at home. Indiana lives to fight another day. 5* Best Bet INDIANA PACERS 

Taking the PACERS here. We lost our first Conference Finals game last time out with Indiana. They couldn't handle the Miami for us late. I am still not ready to write these guys off. Like I said, they match up well with the Heat. I expect another tough game and will grab any points we can get. 5* Best Bet INDIANA PACERS

Taking SAN ANTONIO here. I'm take SA here. This is veteran bunch. I know the Thunder had their way with this group (10-1-1 ATS L12) but I am bucking that trend here. Parker will be the difference maker here with the Thunder missing Ibaka. I just give the edge to the old timers here. 5* Best Bet SAN ANTONIO SPURS 

Taking MIAMI here. Well, we have taken the Nets a couple times in this series. I thought the Heat would probably win in 6 or 7, but they have clearly dominated this match-up. Can't see Brooklyn putting up much of a fight here tonight. Fact is, this team started off terrible. Got hot, then I am guessing were over confident coming into the playoffs. They got a scare from the Raptors. And haven't looked good at all vs Miami. Heat advance on to defend their Championships. 4* Money-Maker MIAMI HEAT 

Taking the PACERS here. I have to say that based on the last few games, it looks as if, finally, Indiana is playing like a team that is worthy of the 1 seed. I just think that the inexperience of the Wizards have caught up to this team. Pacers know they can compete for a title. I think they have that edge with their veterans. 8* Sure Shot INDIANA PACERS 

Taking the SPURS here. I will lay the short number on the road. Spurs are a dynasty. If this team played anywhere else they would be building statues and talking about them with the Lakers and Celtics and Bulls monsters. Off a loss like that. 113-92! Spurs don't lose like that. Especially at home. And in the play-offs to boot! Both teams shot the lights out. But I expect SA to clamp down and turn 48% shooting into something near 40% here. Cream rises to the top. 10* Money-Bomb SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Taking the BULLS here. This team is way to experienced to go down 3-0 to this young Wizards team. We cashed Washington in the first to games with easy dog outright winners. But I think on the road, the Bulls will get it done here. Like I said, I thought the Wizards would win this series, but Chicago is too good of a club, with too good of a coach to go out on a wimper. Another dog outright tonight. Sprinkle in a little Bulls +130 ML for added value. 5* Best Bet CHICAGO BULLS 

Taking the PACERS here. I have to say, I was down on Indiana in Games 1+2. They really showed me some heart in Game 2 coming out after half-time and crushing the Hawks. This is a good team. You don't get a 1 seed by accident. Maybe they just needed that Game 1 kick in the butt to get themselves in gear. 5* Best Bet INDIANA PACERS 

Taking the NETS here. Cashed with Brooklyn as a monster 10* dog out-right Saturday and will come back with them here as another strong play. Nets are just the better team. I said that in my last write up. Both teams struggled from the field. I think the Nets missed 19 straight 3s at one point (4-24 game). Granted, DeMar DeRozan will not go 3-13 from the field. I think he will be more aggressive going to the basket. But I think the Nets defense will still do a good job here. Not sure why we are getting extra points here. Maybe the Raptors are viewed as 'desperate' to even the series. I thought BK would win this is 5 before the series started. After they win tonight, we could be getting the brooms out. 5* Best Bet BROOKLYN NETS 

Taking the WIZARDS here. Will grab the youngsters here. Wizards playing with house money and will be excited to be here. Wall is really developing. But that isn't why I like Washington here. Let's face it. Tibs is a great coach. Gets 110% every game from his team. They bring it every night. But I think that is the problem. Some team don't bring it every night. I know for a fact they will bring it during the play-offs. Wizards 6-2 ATS last 8 in the series and a perfect 4-0 ATS last 4 visits to the Windy City. 5* Best Bet WASHINGTON WIZARDS 

Taking the NETS here. Ok. So the Nets might have tanked a bit to force this match-up. I look at it as a team with a bunch of play-off tested veterans getting reading for a monster run. Look. Raptors had a nice little season. These guys split 2-2 this year. But as I look at the pair of Nets losses, you have to think in different circumstances it could have been a 4-0 sweep. Brooklyn lost in a b2b after beating the Heat. Ok. Let-down. Perfectly understandable. Then after beating Boston in a KG-Paul Pierce reunion tour, they turn the ball over with 6 seconds left and lose by a bucket. I think the Raptors over-achieved while Brooklyn underachieved. Kidd might be a rookie coach, but he knows what it's like this time of year. I'm going Nets to win this game and series. 10* Money-Bomb BROOKLYN NETS