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Good afternoon fellas, a great night in the NBA on Wednesday.  Picked up an important 10 units last night, trying to stack the bankroll up a bit, slowly but surely.  The dreaded TNT Thursday is back, historically it has been a dreadful spot for your boy Mak.  In years past I would tend to overplay my hand on Thursdays, games which did not really interest me I ended up wagering on due to the fact that it was all that was really available.  Last year was a lot better, I would like to think I matured from my degenerate ways, if I didn’t like the 2-3 games on Thursday; I would skip it all together.  I have already skipped a day this season with a 10 game slate so I am hoping the curse of TNT Thursdays is over for me.  I have a certain style when it comes to capping my games,  first and foremost my mind has gotta be relaxed, I go one by one, game by game, I never look at what else is available until I have done an acceptable amount of research on the specific game.  I had no idea that today’s slate only consisted of 4 games, I was actually quite shocked.  I thought due to the shortened season I would never see an NBA slate this minimal.  Out of the 4 games on the board tonight, I actually like 3 of them and may decide to play all 3.  As of now I have locked in two plays and am waiting on the status of LeBron “Tell Me How My Dirk Tastes” James and Dwayne Wade.  Once the status of those individuals is clear, I may add that game on my card as well.  As always gents, I wish you the best of luck on your wagers.  Kwaheri from Kenya - - - MAK

LOS ANGELES LAKERS @ PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

PLAY: BLAZERS ML -150

The Rose Garden and the Los Angeles Lakers just do not get along.  Arenas all over the NBA love it when the Lakers come to town, when I was in Toronto, I made it an emphasis to go to as many Lakers games as possible, not because I love watching any particular player on the Lakers, especially Kobe.  Don’t get me wrong I always enjoy watching great players come into Toronto and spank my Raptors, but the main reason I always got tickets to the Lakers game was because of the atmosphere.  It was electric, it seems wherever the Lakers go, especially in those arenas cross conference involving teams that don’t stand much of a chance in the playoffs, fans just love the Lakers.  At times in Toronto, there was more cheering for a Kobe made shot then there was for the home team.  This is prevalent in a majority of arenas across the NBA...but not in Portland.  Rip City despises the Lakers, they hate Kobe with a passion and they are never afraid to voice their displeasure.  It has been as hostile an arena for the Lakers as any in the NBA and their record over the past 3 years there is proof that it does make a difference.  Tonight fans will be even more boisterous because they have a lot to be optimistic about, for the first time in forever, the Blazers have a better record than the Lakers and in my humble opinion, a better team.  Let’s start off with the Black Mamba.  Reports indicate that Kobe’s wrist is so bad, that before every game he is receiving numbing injections.  Now it’s not like I don’t believe Bryant, I know the guy is a soldier and plays through a lot of pain, but Kobe also likes making a lot of excuses, he is as arrogant as it gets, this wrist injury could just be an excuse to mask the fact that he is having his worst season as a pro.  Kobe is shooting 41.7% tying his rookie season for the worst mark in his illustrious career.  The Mamba has a lot of personal issues he is dealing with right now and that could be a problem as well, the wrist could actually be as bad as we hear or it could just be that Kobe is not the same Mamba we remember, he is nearing the end of his career, still very dangerous, but not the same guy who can carry these Lakers to a championship.  Tonight he will have his hands full against a plethora of capable defenders.  Wesley Matthews, Gerald Wallace and Batum are all guys who will see some time on Kobe tonight, all excellent defenders who have caused Kobe problems in the past.  Bynum is coming off a massive 20 and 20 game.  Last year who was dismal against the Blazers averaging 4.5 points and 5 rebounds a game.  Now obviously the kid is not going to duplicate those putrid numbers, but Camby is an excellent defender, very savvy, long and skilled enough down low to ensure Bynum does not go off for another massive night.  A few years back Pau Gasol was considered to be the best low post big man in the game, right now this year, I actually think Aldridge is a better overall player than Pau Gasol.  I think Aldridge will have his way with Gasol tonight.  This is the first year Aldridge will not have to play out of his position against the Lakers, with Camby down low at the 5 spot, Big L is free to “power” any forward to the ground.  G-Wall showed you why he is one of the best defenders in the league today, he is one man who can stop Durant which is hell of an accomplishment, Matt Barnes and Metta World Peace have no chance against him.  Wesley and Raymond will have to consistently put up offensive numbers tonight, it is imperative to the Blazers success that they have some starting back-court production.  The bench points go to the Blazers as well.  Steve Blake, the man formerly known as Artest, Troy and Kapono are no match for the potent duo of Batum and Crawford.  Kurt Thomas is no slouch either and will provide solid minutes and strength down low.  The 4-1 Blazers are undefeated at home and the 4-3 Lakers are winless on the road, I don’t think any of that changed tonight.  Blazers will win this game.

4 UNITS LAMARCUS “BIG L’S FINEST” ALDRIDGE - - -