Mak's BACK Shogun Sunday

Please note, wherever I may be, the association always follows me thanks to technology.  I have actually had a very good week, if it wasn’t for my miss-read on the Denver Nuggets team I would actually have had the most profitable week of the season.  I backed Denver on both their west coast losses against the Clippers and Kings.  The sooner this trade happens the better as this projected 3 team trade could change the landscape of both conferences.  Lots to talk about over the coming week, looking forward to it.  Good to be back, best of luck guys.  Peace - - - MAK 

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 SACRAMENTO KINGS @ TORONTO RAPTORS

PICK: NO PLAY

I was actually leaning towards my boys prior to the news of Evans being out.  Although I have decided not to wager on my boys until Reggie Evans returns, I was tempted to do so in this spot.  The Kings are on Cali time.  They would have had to wake up at about 7am pacific time in order to get sufficient time in prior to tip-off.....did you all know that in Toronto prostitution is legal?  Some of the classiest entertainment, restaurants, night-clubs and bars dawn this great city and is a favourite among many NBA players.  Notoriously known for being a dangerous afternoon squad at home, the Raps have been mediocre on Sunday afternoons thus far.  I think that changes today, the Raps will be the alert and focused squad.  The only think that scares me is the size on Sac.  Cousins, Thompson, Landry and Sammy are a formidable four.  If Bargnani can frustrate Cousins and get him out of the paint, if Amir can stay out of foul trouble and use his agility to out-duel Thompson, if Ed Davis and Joey Dorsey can somehow negate the ability of Sammy and Landry on the glass, than the potent offense of the Raps should be able to take this inter-conference afternoon game.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS @ LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

PICK: NO PLAY

Massive buzz-kill, two teams I am looking to back facing off against each other.  Love What both these teams are doing.  Golden State is still a bit under the radar at the moment, backed them hard against Cleveland as one of my larger plays this week.  The Warriors are at full strength.  Biedrins is back, Wright is healthy, Lee is good to go, Amundson is proper and for the first time this season we have the full Warrior unit.  Cannot say enough about the growth of their youngsters.  Really want to write-up a lot about the way Monta Ellis is playing as well as their young gem Ekpe Udoh.  I will show some restraint and save the massive GS writeup for a day when I am backing them heavy, and I plan to back this team hard over the next month when the proper situations arise.  Going against this Clippers team right now is a very bad idea.  So what is the best duo in the NBA statistically....must be Lebron and Wade right?  How about Tony and Manu?  No?  Gotta be Monta and Curry....nope, how about Ray and Paul...wrong again.  The best duo in the NBA is Eric Gordan and Must See BG.  Jordan is playing like he deserves his last name, Baron Davis is happy, Ryan Gomes is a good wing defender and the 4 man rotation off the Clippers bench is decent.  With all that being said they are still in a very difficult Conference and have no chance at making the post season despite what some people are saying, nevertheless this is no longer a “bad” team.  They have enough talent and enough of a system to win some games this season.  Love both these teams to cover some spreads for us over the next coming weeks, too bad they are playing each other.  No play gents.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES @ SAN ANTONIO SPURS

PICK: NO PLAY (CURRENTLY)

May decide to pull the trigger on “my” Tims.  Despite a horrendous loss to Charlotte which I am still mentally recovering from, this team has made me more money than any team this season.  They are my Raps of 2010/2011.  They have a heavy-handed roster with a lot of talent at each position.  Wesley Johnson the talented young rookie will be demoted to the bench.  Insert Corey Brewer: A massive defensive talent who causes Manu more problems than anyone in the NBA.  If Beasley plays this game I may decide to go for it.  Waiting for the line to budge a bit more, I would love to get +13 on the Tims.  They played San An extremely tough in Texas a few weeks back.  Anthony Tolliver has returned from injury and will impact the Tims positively tonight.  Despite their recent struggles I still consider the teams to be a decent squad who can matchup at all 5 positions which is surprisingly a rarity in today’s NBA.  Tims tenacity keeps os respectable tonight.

CLEVLAND CAVALIERS @ PHOENIX SUNS

PICK: PHOENIX SUNS – 9.0 (-120) - - - 5 UNITS

Yes I do realize there is something wrong right now with the Suns.  If you ask me and I answered...you may think that Mak got hit in the head during his absence....the Suns are too deep for Gentry to handle.  He has no idea what to do, who to use, where to place them.  He is lost, but through it all he keeps a level head and explains honestly to his team that there is something wrong, and he and his coaching stall will collectively find out what it is and fix it.  The answer to their problem is simple....the Cavaliers.  Cavs are pound for pound the worst team in the NBA right now.  Yes in my opinion, they have even less talent than the Kings at the moment.  Mike Harris leading a team is not right.  Sessions should start but continues to come off the pine.  I really like my African brother Eyenga on the Cavs, I see a lot of upside and talent.  No Andy, No Boobie, No Defense, No Confidence vs Hunger, Embarrassment, Pride & Focus.  Two-time and company will get back on track tonight with a decisive double digit win.

5 UNITS STEVE “THE MENTALIST” NASH - - -

MIAMI HEAT @ PORTLAND TRAIL-BLAZERS

PICK: NO PLAY

I really think the Blazers have an excellent chance to stop the Heat’s streak tonight.  Rose Garden will be pumped.  Of course this automatically turns into the most important game for the Blazers all season, while the confident Heatles come in and treat this as just another game.  Big mistake with what could be one of the most powerful starting front-lines in basketball.  Batum, Camby and Big L are massive.  Aldridge has been in “MVP” mode the last two weeks.  Yes I said MVP, since Roy went down and Nate talked to Big L, he has stepped up his game and is at another level right now.  He and Chris Bosh are long-time friends and will battle all night.  Wesley is actually a very good defender and will try to contend with Wade....although I think Dwayne erupts after a mediocre game in Milwaukee.  What I have been playing a lot the last week and a half are Lebron and Dwayne props.  Try and find the best pts+reb props and take them...they don’t miss.  This team is a 3-man team and it is working, there are not many stats to go around when 3 tremendous players are on the floor for 38 minutes a game, tonight is not the night to start the props with the abundant amount of rebounders on Portland, but look out for that in the coming weeks.  Miami could easily come out extremely focused after their scare in Wisconsin, but the Blazers may surprise all and upset what will be the best team in the NBA at the end of the season in terms of total wins and road wins.

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS @ DENVER NUGGETS

PICK: NO PLAY

As I stated above, would have been the best week of the season for me in terms of profits if it wasn’t for the god damn Nuggets.  You can’t blame me really for backing them can you?  Well ok you can.  I just thought with all of their immense talent, on and off the bench, that this team could contend in the West.  What I failed to realize...is they do not want to.  Mello wants out, Afflalo and J.R want Mello out so they can shine, Billups knows he is going with so it doesn’t matter to him.  They lacked heart....0 steals in a game?? 0 steals?? Not even a fucking deflection as I watched both games.  Since 1976 the Nuggets have had at least 1 steal in a game...this just shows that this team is done.  I will not back this team until they make the move, it is also very difficult for me to go against them because of the roster they have.  A roster, that if cohesive, if happy, could have contended for a home court position in the post-season.

NEW YORK KNICKS @ LOS ANGELES LAKERS

PICK: NO PLAY

This may be a bailout play for me although I do not believe in chasing.  If the Suns manage to lose the cover I may decide to go with the Lakeshow.  The Lakers have been a team I have actually been able to call this season which is surprising due to their fluctuating play.  I really think that it is only a matter of time before Bynum gets acclimated into the starting 5.  Gasol move to the power spot and is averaging a lot more assists.  That shows me the triangle is modified to perfection as the position of Pau is the triangle is different with Gasol at the 4.  With Barnes being injured I see Artest stepping it up.  He was called out as was Kobe by Phil Jackson and both will answer the Zen Master’s subtle shots.  Lamar Odom will also get about 4-5 minutes extra a game with the Barnes injury and Luke may see some added time.  New York is balling, an exceptional team that cannot be underestimated.  The loss of Galo is not hurting them at all with Williams and Douglas stepping it up.  Wilson is in the top 3 most underrated players in the NBA.  Amar’e is a leader and Raymond is the definition of a New York City point guard, had the grit and swagger.  No play for me, but a must watch for sure.

GL today MAK

MIAMI HEAT @ PORTLAND TRAIL-BLAZERS

PICK: NO PLAY

Sweet!  Been wondering where Mak has been.  Was a little worried and was hoping everything was all right.  Sounds like Mak is back in the business of making money!  Good luck brother and I hope we get to hear from you every day for a while.  My account needs a boost if you know what i mean!