Mak Is Alive And BACK Ready For The Playoff Push

My covers brothers from other mothers! What you thought Mak got eaten by a bunch of lions and died in Africa? :) My most sincere apologies for my absence this past month and a half.  Truth is I did have the ability to post my picks, I just did not have any time at all.  These past 3 months away from Canada have been great, I finally got that paper I have always been chasing, I realized the importance of time as it really is money, every hour counted for me.  I am happy to say that my business venture was very successful, beyond my expectations.  I did promise my covers brothers consistency in my posting habits, I hope you all understand why I couldn't keep my promise.  Please note that despite not posting, I have continued keeping myself educated on the happenings in the NBA.  I spent whatever free time I had reviewing stats, recaps and watching streamed games from time to time.  I did continue betting (although keeping wagers low) and was relatively successful. I could have easily posted just my picks on covers, but you know I am not like that.  Without spending the time and explaining why I like specific picks, I find it useless to post.  Still a bit busy here in Kenya, but since it is playoff time I am making time to post and will be as consistent as I can.  Will be traveling from the 29th of April to the 5th of May so most likely will be absent from the forums during that time.  However you can bet your asses I will be here contributing as much as I can during the playoff push.  Due to my recent fortunate success I have stacked up my bankroll a bit more, I will keep wagers low to start the stride but during the push if I find something I like I will hammer down.  In my humble opinion I think the playoffs are more difficult to bet then the regular season, however, unlike most cappers who are betting on the NBA due to 99% love of the money and 1% love of the game.  My percentage is more 50/50 at this point in my life.  Betting large in the playoffs creates intrigue and excitement, I for one cannot wait until that rush begins.  Once again my most sincere apologies for my absence, Mak is back and here to stay.  Hakuna Matata.  As always wishing you all the best of luck, peace out - - - MAK

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS - 10.0 (-115) - - - Shock the world my ass, it's ridiculous the amount of people who actually think the Bulls stand a chance in this series.  I honestly think the brooms come out in a 4-0 sweep.  Maybe it is my bitterness towards to Bulls.  They ousted my Raps from the distinct pleasure to get bitch-slapped by Lebron and the Cavs.  Many will disagree but I do not think the Bulls deserved that 8th and final spot.  They are only in that spot due to the fact that Bosh got face fucked and the Bulls got lucky as they faced teams down the stretch that rested players which I think is a travesty to the game.  Especially when playoff lives were at stake.  The Chicago Bulls do have certain assets on their team, however in my opinion they do not have a strong enough bench to compete with any of the 15 other NBA teams in the playoffs.  Especially against the Cavs who arguably have one of the biggest, most dangerous benches I have ever seen in the post-season. With the Diesel back in the starting 5, J.J Hickson is relegated back to the bench along with behemoths Big Z and Big V.  Leon Powe cannot be underestimated as well, he was the KG backup last year and shined in the spotlight.  D West, Boobie and Telfair are all legitimate guards who can contribute off the bench.  Jamario Moon is a decent substitute for the KING and has versatility in his game.  Mo Williams will have a big series from beyond the 3 point line and I believe Anthony Parker will get the distinction of guarding Rose.  Parker's length and defensive prowess will cause the youngster some trouble.  Parker is an underrated 2 man and will impact the Cavs in the playoffs.  Shaq looks like a lean mean fighting machine and I am pretty sure he will surprise many coming off of injury.  He is ready for this.  The King wants that bitterness from last years playoffs out of his system, he will absolutely demolish anyone who comes in his way.  I suspect legendary performances from this man this year in the playoffs.  X-Factor for this series and the playoffs for the Cavs is vet Antawn.  He is the key to the title in my opinion.  If he can implement himself as Batman's Robin, the Cavs will win the title, no doubt in my mind.  Many people are thinking the Bulls will make this a legendary series like they did vs Boston.  Please remember, the Celts were not really the Celts last year without KG manning the middle.  The Cavs demolished the Pistons in 4 last year and I suspect a similar outcome in this series.  Cavs roll.
4 UNITS "THE RETURN OF THE KING" - - - 

1ST QUARTER CAVALIERS - 3.5 (-110)
1 UNIT - - -

1ST HALF CAVALIERS - 5.0 (-110)
1 UNIT - - -

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DENVER NUGGETS - 4.0 (-120) - - - In the NBA Playoffs, home-court advantage comes into play more then any other sport in the world.  An evenly matched series such as this, HCA is the key to success.  Granted the Jazz men have rectified that image of being road chumps this season.  They have shown relative success on the road this season.  However, I for one am still not sold on this team away from Salt Lake City.  I think Utah will ultimately find themselves down 3-1 in this series and will not be able to climb over the hurdle of a two game deficit.  Denver took the season series 3-1 over the Jazz, but it was the way the season series was taken that makes me doubt Utah can match up with the Nugs.  The first game of the series shows me that AK47 will not make a difference in this series as I once thought he would.  He could not hold Mello at all....no one on the Jazz can hold Mello.  Mello went 11-22 and lit up the Jazz for 30.  Game 2 in Utah was a disgrace as the Jazz allowed the Nugs to beat em without Mello or Billups.  Utah had a full, healthy roster. Game 3 in Denver, Utah allowed Mello and Billups to get to the free-throw line 31 times. Game 4 Utah avoided the sweep by beating the Nugs in Utah without Billups and Mello.  Ty Lawson scored more points against the Jazz then any other team in the NBA, he had his best NBA performances against them and giving this rookie confidence like that in this series is dangerous.  Aaron Afflalo is key to this series, he is an under-rated defender and a long, lengthy two guard.  I think Deron will out-play Billups in this series, however if Billups continues to attack the Jazz and get to the stripe, he will off-set Deron's offensive production.  "Playoff Mello" is unlike season Mello.  He steps it up to a point where I consider him to be one of the best all around players in the NBA.  In my opinion he is the best pure scorer in the NBA and the fact is Utah has no one who can guard him.  This series comes down to bigs.  Boozer, Milsap and Okur are a formidable 3.  But with an ailing Boozer and Okur who is more a scorer then a powerful center, I suspect the bigs of Denver to out-rebound them down low.  Nene, Martin and Birdman are gritty and powerful on the block.  The emergence of Johan Petro a big 7 footer will keep the "bigs" advantage on Denver's side.  J.R "My Name Is Earl" Smith is as hit and miss as anyone in the NBA.  He can either go 11-15 or 4-12.  He is as unpredictable as they come.  The fact that media is poundingvthat Denver is nothing without Coach Karl is even more motivation for Denver in my opinion. Although Denver has been as suspect as any Western team down the stretch, this team did make it to the conference finals and that should not be forgotten.  Denver will take this one in mile high.
3 UNITS NENE "FORMALLY KNOWN AS" HILARIO - - -  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILWAUKEE BUCKS + 9.0 (-115) - - - Again the Bucks continue to be under-estimated.  Understandably with the loss of Andrew Bogut.  However they did end the season 5-2 without him with losses to Boston and Atlanta.  Kurt Thomas may not be as offensively sound as Andrew however he is a savvy veteran who can man the middle against Horford.  He has averaged 9 and a half boards a game in his last 7 and has the most playoff experience on either team.  Jennings can make a name for himself against a slower Bibby in this series if he puts his mind to it.  John Salmons will go toe-to-toe with Joe Johnson. Carlos Delfino has play-making ability that super-seeds Marvin Williams.  Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is one of the league leaders in charges taken, he is a gritty rebounder for his size and may actually frustrate J Smooth offensively.  The Bucks bench is key in this series.  Jerry Stackhouse, Luke Ridnour and Ersan Ilyasova are a triple-threat off the pine.  Stack if consistent can provide much needed offense for the Bucks.  Ridnour will split minutes with Jennings and is the best play-maker on the team, and Ersan in my opinion is the most underrated rookie of the year and the biggest steal by far in the draft.  His versatility on defense, his shooting touch and rebounding ability will all come into play.  Zaza, Evans and Jeff are out-shined as the bench of the Bucks is more versatile. Atlanta squeaked by the Bucks in the season series 2-1 which included 3 close games.  9 points is a gift here as I suspect this series to be a lot more competitive then people presume.  Bucks stay within the number.
2 UNITS DAN "GODZILLA" GADZURIC - - - 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSTON CELTICS - 4.0 (-115) - - - This was a tough one to cap, due to the recent struggles of the Celts, it was difficult to back them.  Nevertheless, I think the Celts have the Heat numbered here.  Doc Rivers will implement a strategy to blanket D Wade.  That is all that needs to be done to ensure a series victory.  Easier said then done, but it is possible.  Double teams and pure pressure on Wade will evoke frustration.  It will cause the rest of the Heat to step up and I don't think offensively they can survive without Wade's production.  Beasley could step up...but he won't, not with KG on him.  J.O won't, not with Perk on him.  Arroyo can't and neither can Q-Rich.  Haslem is a beast off the bench, however Sheed and Big Baby should offset his rebounding production.  KG has been waiting to get back in the playoffs and he will be primed and ready.  I suspect we see a whole new Celts team with KG in the playoffs again.  His motivation and grit will carry this team.  The truth will answer all questions.  Ray Ray will be solid and Rondo will show why he is the key to the Celts engine.  In order for the Boston Celtics to emerge as a playoff powerhouse again, they must get that deadly bench going.  Finley is a playoff vet with a cold blooded mentality.  Sheed also should step up his offensive play in the playoffs. Nate Robinson is a bust but he should provide something for them.  Marquis is another defender they can plant on Wade.  The Celts swept the season series vs Miami and although I suspect Miami to make this a series once they arrive in South Beach, Boston should have no problem getting the 2 they need at the Garden.  Celts show they are back and a different ball-club when it really counts.

2 UNITS KEVIN "CHEST OF STEEL" GARNETT - - -                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAK'S TEASERS

CAVS - 2
BUCKS + 17
2 UNITS - - - 

CAVS ML
NUGS ML
2 UNITS - - -  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome back mak!

wow good to see you back mak! hope you wreck it in the nba. im gonna lay low for the playoffs since i've been tearing it up in the mlb . but BOL to you my man!

Mak

BOL

BOL! Like your picks, but still doing homework! Im thinking Lebron and company come out STRONG!!!! PG

AGREE ON ALMOST ALL GAMES BUT I LIKE DA BULLS TO STAY CLOSER IN THE 1ST GAME DUE TO THE FACT THAT CHICAGO HAS MOMENTUM, THEY HAVE BEEN PLAYING THE LAST GAMES IN PLAYOFF MODE ...

GL MAK !!!

I think handball could be compare. You people from america, do you know a handaball?

(i didn't consider your new location).
Do people from Kenya know handball?

goodluck MAK. im with you on the plays- lets this post season be a very profitable ONE!

welcome back mak, bol  

i like the bulls alot in game one to cover,

 welcome back mak!!!!

KPFOR3! Thanks buddy appreciate it, great to be back. Came back to post my thoughts for guys like you.  Appreciate all the support this past season, hope it was a profitable one for you, it was by far the most profitable regular season I have had since wagering on hoops.  Hope it continues in the post season.  Best of luck buddy.

  

Karim, thanks buddy.  Really appreciate it.  Glad you are tearing it up in the MLB.  Don't lay low for the NBA playoffs brother, it's the best game in the world and so much fun to watch when you got some mullah on it.  Best of luck in the post season and during the MLB season bro.

IML, thanks buddy.  Best of luck this post season.  Will be looking out for your posts. 

Jeezy from O deezy.  Will be back in the great white north in a few weeks.  How is the weather down there, better not be still fuckin cold.  BOL to you.

PG, I suspect they come out blasting and set a precedent as well.  Best of luck with your plays sir.

 

Good point bud, they have been playing playoff type matches the last couple of games, nevertheless I have no confidence that the scarce bench of Brad Miller, Hakim Warrick and Pargo will have any chance against Big, Z, V, Hick & West.  Their starting 5 are mismatched to death against Mo, Parker, King, Tawn and Shaq.  Many are over-estimating the Bulls.  If Joakim Noah gets into foul trouble I am thinking a 20 point smashing.  I am sure many Bulls backers will switch sides in game 2 once they see the Bulls get decimated in game one GL though.

Are you serious or are you making a joke?  If you are joking that is not funny at all, if you are serious that is the funniest shit I have ever heard.

Thanks buddy, appreciate it.  You're from Afghanistan?  Are a soldier deployed there or a citizen?  Just curious.  BOL to us both.

Thanks J Money from NYC.  BOL to you as well.