Return Of The Mack

Mak is in the building!  Welcome back my man!  Love your plays tonight!

I'm on them as usual!

Aye Mak welcome back! Glad to have a great capper with great insight back here! Hope you got that good good ganja out in Kenya to help you get through them long days! Good luck this season!

I like them all. I actually posted 3 of them myself. I have a question. I see alot of people on the Wiz tonight. I do not disagree just wondering why everyone is picking them. Is it based on the fact they are playing the nets and did well against them last year or is there some roster changes on the Wiz that I am not aware of!

you dont like orlando playing houston with no center??? 

Great write ups.From Chicago you hit on the heads with the Bulls. 

love it!

Welcome Back Mak

Good evening gents, apologies for the late post.  Got smacked by the books yesterday going 0-3.  Leans were way off as well. Thunder lost the cover by a bucket, Griz got worn out as San An exacted their revenge and the Bulls surprisingly lost straight up.  It's going to take a bit of time for the balance of the league to equate itself.  Already starting to see rotations that some teams are going to be using for a majority of the season, injuries will always play a part but what I noticed from the first two days of the season is there is a lot less experimentation in terms of lineups than there has been in previous years.  Even with long preseasons, teams and coaches tended to continue testing out different lineups & combinations, this year despite the very brief training camp and preseason, I see coaches are not wasting anytime, baptism by fire, there is no time to waste, no time for experimentation, I absolutely love it.  The league will be quite transparent in a few weeks, which will be great news for us wagerers.  Got a few for today, going small in terms of units for a while.  As always, best of luck on your wagers fellas.  Kwaheri from Kenya - - - MAK    

ATLANTA HAWKS @ NEW JERSEY NETS

PLAY: NO PLAY (Lean Hawks - 4.0 -120)

Really not surprised with the Nets comeback last night, the Wiz are a very immature team, that large lead to begin the game gave them an unwarranted arrogance and they got bit in the ass.  Is is clearly evident that Kris Kardashian and DMW are the lone two players this Nets team will depend on, Morrow is just way too inconsistent.  I was very impressed with Damion James yesterday, great leaping ability and he was able to coral a lot of lose balls and rebounds over bigger players.  Tonight the Nets are over matched in terms if the starting 5.  Teague, Double J, J Smooth, Marvin Williams and Big Al are going to dominate the starting 5 of New Jersey.  Atlanta has a very very suspect bench (please read team preview for more info) and that is the one and only reason I will not bet on this game, I do think the Hawks win this one rather easily and it is one of the stronger leans I have for a very shallow slate of games today.

BOSTON CELTICS @ MIAMI HEAT

PLAY NO PLAY (Lean Celtics + 10.0 -110)

The spread is a bit too high in mu opinion, double digit dogs already?  I understand the absence of Paul Pierce is significant, but so far the revenge factor has been prevalent in the NBA.  Miami dismantled the Mavs and last night the Spurs exacted some of that sweet stuff on the Grizz.  The Celtics are a very prideful bunch, despite not having their key offensive gun, double digit dogs to the Heat is a bit of disrespect.  Nevertheless, the Heat are strong enough 9 deep to beat any team in the NBA by double digits, especially at home.  The fact is, the Heat are a two man team, I myself have written in the season preview that I love the depth the roster has, I love the complimentary players around Wade and Lebron.  But if even one of them has an off night, it will be hard to cover a double digit spread, especially against a gritty defensive squad that works hard on both ends.  Rajon Rondo is a centerpiece for this team in 2012, granted he almost got traded and he knows the Celts management and Doc Rivers would have preferred Chris Paul over him, this will drive him night in and night out to prove himself.  He has worked on his offensive game significantly over the summer, especially his mid range game and repertoire of offensive moves around the basket.  Mario Chalmers is a great defender, not good but great, he is one of the better perimeter defending guards in the league and cause double R a lot of problems in their playoff series.  The game the Celts lost to the Heat that cost them their playoffs, was a game the Celts could have easily one.  It was a 4th quarter barrage that drowned their homes of another Eastern Conference finals birth.  That game will be at the forefront of their minds and despite not having Jeff Green, Paul Pierce of Delonte West from last year’s team, they will have what it takes to keep this game close.  My only problem is I am extremely high on the progression of the Miami heat, I think physiologically this is a completely different team from last year (read the team preview), I don’t play on going against this team often and despite a very tempting spread, I will lay off the Celts tonight.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES @ MILWAUKKE BUCKS

PLAY: TIMBERWOLVES + 5.0 -110 (Contingent Upon Status Of Mbah A Moute & Delfino)

The Bucks collapse in the 3rd quarter was a bit harder to understand than the Washington Wizards.  I think Paul Silas is an excellent motivator and the perfect coach for a young squad like Charlotte to have.  He must have said or done something in the locker room to really ignite the Cats because they came out banging with gusto in the 3rd.  Milwaukee got outrebounded 52 to 39 and gave up 15 offensive rebounds to a team with absolutely no big men.  I can only imagine what Kevin Love and company will do to the Bucks down low.  If both Mbah a Moute and Delfino do not suit up for the Bucks tonight, this will most likely be a play.  The Tims stayed right with the Thunder all game long, they were very competitive, very confident and under new coach Rick Adelman, they seem more comfortable running the half-court sets and running the break.  They would have actually come out and upset the Oklahoma City Thunder if it wasn’t for a putrid display of 3 point shooting.  The young squad went 3-22 from beyond the arc and if they were just a tad bit more accurate they would have beat Kevin Durant and his Thunder.  Beasley, Love and Milicic were solid in the front-court and off the bench I was very impressed with the production of J.J Barea, Rubio and Derrick Williams.  I like the rotation Rick Adelman has decided to use and I think the Bucks will find it very difficult to cover this spread tonight.
  
3 UNITS KEVIN “INSPECTOR GADGET” LOVE - - -
 
SACRAMENTO KINGS @ PORTLAND TRAIL-BLAZERS

PLAY: TRAIL-BLAZERS – 7.0 -110

As impressive as the young Kings were last night, I just do not see them defeating the Blazers at home in this spot.  The Kings have a very impressive roster, a lot of young raw players with tremendous skill, but Portland has a superb starting 5 and a very solid 8 man rotation, it will be difficult to surprise this team on any given night while they are healthy.  My main concern with the Blazers as I have mentioned in the team preview is their durability.  Once any of the rotation 8 goes down, this team will be in trouble.  As of now I do not plan to bet against them and I suggest you don’t either, granted the spread is a little high, but in my estimation it is very accurate.  Camby, Wallace and Big L will square off against Cousins, Hayes and Salmons and that in my opinion is a clear win for the Portland Trail Blazers.  What will keep the Kings in it is of Thornton and Evans can duplicate the success they had vs the Lakers last night.  They were excellent combining for 47 and Felton and Wesley Mathews will not be able to match the scoring output of the Kings backcourt tonight.  Off the bench Jimmer, Outlaw and Hickson will matchup against Crawford, Batum and Kurt Thomas and once again I give the advantage to the Blazers.  This will be a good test to see how good the Kings really are, but I suspect them to struggle against a larger, grittier, defensive and more experienced team.  Blazers should win and cover as well.

3 UNITS GERALD “PLASTIC MAN” WALLACE - - -

UTAH JAZZ @ LOS ANGELES LAKERS  

PLAY: JAZZ + 5.0 -120 (Contingent Upon Status Of Josh McRoberts)

The unique, extraordinary, revolutionary back-to-back-to-frickin-back.  Ironic that the Lakers are the first to take part in this revolting event.  Never before seen in the history of the NBA, as a businessman I think it is ridiculous to put the assets of your company through the rigors of 0 days rest in a situation like this, as a basketball fan I think it is disgusting, as someone who wagers on the NBA...I love it.  Even though I think the Lakers will be so desperate to not start the season 0-3, I think the pressure will be on, from their new coach, their fans, and themselves.  This may be too much to handle, especially against an underrated squad with immense size and physicality.  The Jazz will start Devin Harris, Raja Bello, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Al Jefferson.  Although I don’t really agree with Hayward over Miles, I understand why, the Jazz are committing to their youngsters right out of the gate almost 17 points in the last 7 games of the season and does have some potential.  Raja Bell has always been someone who can cause Kobe a lot of trouble, his main focus will be to frustrate the Mamba with his tenacious defensive intensity. Jefferson is in the best shape of his life and will go toe-to-toe with Gasol all game long.  Derrick Favors in a beast, he is an incredible talent with humungous upside, read my team preview on the Jazz for more info on how good this kid is going to be.  Devin Harris and Fish should be a nice matchup to watch as well.  The bench is what gets me here, if Josh McRoberts does not play due to that injured tow, Troy Murphy will enter at the starting 4 spot which means an already scarce bench becomes basically empty.  Metta World Peace had a very good game in Cali last night, but has never been the model of consistency, Matt Barned and Steve Blake are basically what will be left, no real big men whatsoever.  On the flip side you have got Utah with a stacked roster filled with a lot of your and some proven players.  Paul Milsap will be the 6th man on this team and what a 6th man to have, Josh Howard still has skill and will contribute for this team all year in hopes to get a better contract in next year’s free agency, Earl Watson and C.J Miles will be the backup backcourt, something the Lakers don’t even have.  The rookie Enes Kanter has a lot of skill, he is a massive body who can provide some depth at the center position.  Jeremy Evans is a talented youngster who I really like, he will has fits for Devin Ebanks and World Peace with his size and defending ability, even Tinsley is not as bad all you all think.  Utah is stacked with a very deep roster playing with fresh legs, open hearts and are chomping at the bit to get their first back to back wins at Staple Center in over a decade.  I like the Jazz to stay within the number and try and pull off an upset tonight

3 UNITS DERRICK “WON’T DO YOU NO FAVOURS” FAVORS - - -

welcome back, and Bol

T-wolves , Jazz

GL Mak

like the picks Mak, BOL 

Blazers ... 

Good luck Mak and thanks for the write ups.

BOL MAK

Does anyone have the record from last year?


Thanks

Good Luck!

McRoberts expected to play, still a play?

Celtics +10!!!!!!!!

who do you like today Big Mak?

Hey fellas, once again sorry for the late post.  This will be my last post on this thread, will spend half an hour tomorrow and reply to all those who took the time to post on my initial thread, least I can do for all the support and well wishes.  After that, I will close out the thread and create a new one for Thursday and continue on as I have usually done with daily threads from now on.  Will be keeping the season preview link up for a little while in hopes that some more people read it and find assistance in determining the intricacies of each team.  Went 2-0 yesterday with Portland and Minny both covering their respective spreads, also hit both leans I had although I would have considered the Jazz a lean even with McRoberts in the line-up.  If I don’t ever get a chance to come back and post my final cards, I always place the contingency note next to the pick.  If the player does not play or he suits up, than decipher for yourself whether it is a play or not by just reading the write-up and the note.  I always stick to the contingency notes, I never stray from that although sometimes it can be tempting, in today’s NBA, even a sub-par player can make a big difference in terms of the compatibility of a roster.  Tonight I like a few games, going to skip the write-ups for today as really all I want to write about teams in the beginning of the season is already written in the team previews.  Most analysis in the early going has already been posted in the previews and projections, not much of my opinion can change within 1 or 2 games, any write-ups today would just be repetitive to what I have already written about each team.  At this point I am sticking to what my gut says and that literature is already posted.  Once teams and players begin to transform into something else I will continue the in depth game-to-game analysis as I have done for countless years on covers.  For now please do refer to the 2012 season preview section.  Have copied the link once again with the final card for tonight. I really hope some of you guys take the time to read them when looking at my plays, I post for those who actually care to extend their knowledge of the game, don’t get me wrong I welcome blind tailors and understand and accept the fact that a gambler is a gambler, but I take the time to post for those who already have even a miniscule knowledge of the game I love and are just looking for some opinions and insights to add to their thoughts.  As always gentlemen, I wish you all the very best of luck, once again I will take the time and reply to everyone tomorrow and close out the thread, thanks again for the warm welcome, I really do appreciate it.  Peace out - - - MAK

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 28th FINAL CARD

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS + 5.0 -120 - - - 4 UNITS

INDIANA PACERS – 4.0 -110 - - - 2 UNITS

MIAMI HEAT – 9.5 -120 - - - 2 UNITS

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS ML -120 - - - 2 UNITS

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES ML +105 - - - 2 UNITS

LEANS

NEW YORK KNICKS – 4.0 -110