It has been a strange couple of months in the NBA season with teams already talking about tanking to improve their position for the next draft, while injuries to star players throughout the League have made it a disappointing start for the fans that spend so much to see their teams play.
The likes of Derrick Rose and Al Horford are lost for the season, while Russell Westbrook and Kobe Bryant will be missing significant time. The loss of Bryant hurt the Lakers, but their whole rotation has been ripped apart by injuries and there are suggestions that they are going to blow up this season by trading away Pau Gasol to prevent cap issues.
We usually have to wait until the All-Star Game before teams really get into Play Off mode, but some are already looking beyond that to next season.
While the season has been tough for the fans to digest, my first couple of months of picks have also fallen down and December proved to be another tough month. Some of those were bad picks, but I hope to get a better lock on the games going forward as we enter 2014.
January 2nd
New York Knicks @ San Antonio Spurs Pick: The New York Knicks have been so bad this season and San Antonio are unlikely to lose focus in this one despite having a big game against the LA Clippers next on deck. Carmelo Anthony may be a little rusty and the Spurs could build a big win behind hot three point shooting which they are capable of, especially against the Knicks defense which has struggled from that range.
Memphis Grizzlies @ Phoenix Suns Pick: Phoenix are coming off a hugely important win for their own confidence and I am hoping that doesn't lead to over-confidence in this game. The Suns have been playing some very good basketball over the last two months and look a team that can make the Play Offs and I think they avenge their loss to Memphis from last month.
January 15th
I needed to take a few days off from the NBA as I haven't really got a good handle of the way teams are approaching games in the early part of the season, but I have been keeping tabs on those games. Taking a mini-break during the course of the season has helped in the last two years that I have been making picks on the NBA here, so I hope to have the same type of resurgence in this one.
Miami Heat @ Washington Wizards Pick: The Miami Heat have had four days to think about their last two losses, but that has also meant their rotation is healthier in time for this game. The Heat visited the White House on Tuesday and the reigning Champions are now 4-0 against the spread after that visit.
With the Wizards struggling at home and LeBron James' numbers being questioned, I expect a big performance from Miami in this one.
Toronto Raptors @ Boston Celtics Pick: Boston have been struggling in recent games and there is every chance they could be looking ahead to the return of Rajon Rondo in this game that could keep their focus from Toronto. The Raptors have a poor record here, but have been playing well over the last month and I expect them to be too strong for the Celtics.
Memphis Grizzlies @ Milwaukee Bucks Pick: My biggest concern in this game is that Memphis are coming off an important win over the Oklahoma City Thunder last night, but they know they have to keep winning if they are to get back into the post-season in the Western Conference. Milwaukee are struggling for points and those aren't easier to come by in this game so I look for the Grizzlies to come through with a cover.
January 16th
Atlanta Hawks v Brooklyn Nets Pick: You can't always tell how a team will react to playing abroad in what is a special game in front of a different country. However, Brooklyn have a decent record against Atlanta in recent games against them, while the favourite is 11-5 against the spread in games played outside of North America.
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Houston Rockets Pick: The Rockets had to come back from a big hole to beat New Orleans last night so there is an aspect of tiredness that could creep in to their game. However, Houston have been playing with more confidence than Oklahoma City and I like them to get a measure of revenge for the blow out earlier this season and win this one.
January 19th
I was absolutely stunned by the collapse of the Houston Rockets in their loss on Thursday night with the second worst second half scoring output in the history of the NBA. That kind of summed up the poor luck I have had so far with a couple of teams missing the cover by half a point and then epic collapses taking place all over the shop.
LA Lakers @ Toronto Raptors Pick: The Toronto Raptors have been playing some decent basketball of late and they should be too strong for the LA Lakers in this early game, especially with this being the middle of games against the Celtics and the Bulls for the Lakers.
Denver Nuggets @ Phoenix Suns Pick: There has been a slide in form since Eric Bledsoe has been missing for the Phoenix Suns, but they have beaten Denver twice already this season, while the Nuggets are just 4-10 against the spread in Phoenix. The home court advantage may prove enough for Phoenix to sneak the win.
January 21st
Boston Celtics @ Miami Heat Pick: It has been a long road trip for the Heat, but I do think the green shirts of Boston will at least see them pick up their game in this one. Dwyane Wade returning will only help, but they need to improve their defensive effort to cover this spread.
Portland Trail Blazers @ Oklahoma City Thunder Pick: It was a bad defeat for Portland yesterday, but they have shown they are capable of winning road games against the best teams with wins at Dallas and San Antonio during this road trip. They may be able to keep this close against an Oklahoma City Thunder team that is possibly looking ahead to a road game at the Spurs tomorrow night.
January 25th
Atlanta Hawks @ Milwaukee Bucks Pick: They may be the worst team in the NBA, by some distance too, but the Milwaukee Bucks are rarely in a position like this where they can earn back to back wins at home. Milwaukee have struggled but Atlanta are short-handed and may struggle to get up for the worst team with players looking to regain health and I will take the points.
Washington Wizards @ Utah Jazz Pick: The layers may be putting too much stock in the fact that Washington had to play last night and Utah have had a few days to get ready for this game as I don't understand why the Wizards are the underdog. If they keep up their defensive intensity, I think Washington win this one.
MY PICKS: 02/01 San Antonio Spurs - 11.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
02/01 Phoenix Suns - 5.5 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
15/01 Miami Heat - 6 Points @ 2.00 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
15/01 Toronto Raptors - 4 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
15/01 Memphis Grizzlies - 5.5 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
16/01 Brooklyn Nets - 2 Points @ 1.95 Bet Fred (1 Unit)
16/01 Houston Rockets - 2 Points @ 1.92 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
19/01 Toronto Raptors - 9 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
19/01 Phoenix Suns -1 Point @ 1.97 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
21/01 Miami Heat - 9.5 Points @ 1.92 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
21/01 Portland Trail Blazers + 6.5 Points @ 2.00 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
25/01 Milwaukee Bucks + 2.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
25/01 Washington Wizards @ 2.05 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
January Update: 2-9, - 7.08 Units
December 2013 Final: 8-11, - 3.42 Units
November 2013 Final: 8-7-1, + 0.82 Units
October 2013 Final: 0-4, - 4 Units
Season 2014: 16-22-1, - 6.60 Units
Final Season 2013: 105-93-3, + 10.49 Units
Final Season 2012: 79-53-1, + 27.48 Units
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