Mak's Wednesday Wizardry

First let me preface this my stating my units this year will range from 1 - 22.  I doubt I will ever go over 22 units.  Don't bother asking me a monetary amount of my units.  Firstly, you would not believe me considering the fact that I only bet 1%-2% of my bankroll on average.  Secondly, I would never promote betting the amounts I do unless you can afford to lose it, never ever bet what you cannot afford to lose.

My writeups for the next week and a half will include my Western Conference previews when betting on or against any team in the West, for more info on what I think about the East you can check out my preview post for that Conference.

https://www.covers.com/postingforum/POST01/showmessage.aspx?spt=22&sub=101985627

Lastly, my usual posting times will either be right before tip-off (which I prefer since injuries and lineup news are always changing), or very early (due to the time difference here in Kenya)

I will end this with a statement Kap uses all the time, this is a marathon not a race, take it easy and most of all have fun!  Peace out - - - MAK
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WASHINGTON WIZARDS - 8.5 (-120) - - - The Wizards 3rd quarter vs the Knicks was a thing of beauty because it setup a solid pick here at home for the Wiz.  Larry Bird did not expect his start player to go down to an injury for the entire season and the roster and rotation is a clear indicator for that.  This Pacer's team is built around Paul George; a very talented small forward who is a star in this league.  Even once George Hill, C.J Watson and the caption David West return, this Pacer team will struggle against any team that is destined for the playoffs.  The Wiz are on a back-to-back but their 3rd quarter blowout of the Knicks allowed them to rest their starters.  John Wall has improved his all-around game immensely.  He has worked on his jump-shot all summer and seems to be more mentally in-tune during games.  Temple is no Bradly Beal, but his 6'6 height, deceptive quickness, defensive intensity and awesome wingspan will cause C.J Miles to have yet another horrid shooting night.  The SF battle is easily won here by Paul Pierce who is an ageless wonder and will continue to rob youngsters of their dignity, Soloman Hill is no exception.  Scola and Hibbert will have no chance against the duo of Nene and the 50 million dollar man Marcin Gortat.  Hibbert played big minutes in their loss to the Bucks and the big man will labor tonight.  The bench of the Wiz had a breakout game against the Knicks, Kevin Seraphin welcomed himself to the NBA season with a massive game, as did the 63 year old Andre Miller.  I love Otto Porter, a very high draft pick that has yet to show his worth to the team and the league, love his length, defensive aptitude and offensive skill.  I really like the Wiz tonight, unless Stuckey, Scola and Copeland have monster nights, this should be a cover, bank it, Wiz release some Wizardry on this Wednesday evening.

3 UNITS MICHAEL "YEA I PLAYED FOR THIS TEAM..REMEMBER?" JORDAN - - -

DETROIT PISTONS - 3.5 (-117) - - - I still have my concerns about the Detroit Pistons, they have a lot of issues, but I love SVG and trust in his basketball knowledge.  I just have a feeling that tonight he will know that in order to win this game, he must start Greg Monroe.  Josh Smith has to guard Mello or the Pistons have little chance to win, let alone cover this game.  I suspect the starting 5 to be Jennings, Pope, Smith, Monroe and Big Drum.  I am also placing a risk bet as I really think J.R Smith will actually be suspended for at least 1 game.  That was not an accidental groin smack, his reputation precedes him and I suspect he watches this game from his hotel room, however no word from the NBA head office as of yet.  Without J.R the bench becomes thinner, subtract Amare (now in the starting 5) and you are left with a scarce amount of talent.  That being said, the Pistons don't have much to boast about off the bench.  I just believe that a front court of Drum, Greg and J Smooth will cause a lot of damage, I love the two PG's for D Town and BJ and D.J will put in work.  I don't see how D-Town does not win SU and cover.

3 UNITS - - - BEN "FREE THROW SPECIALIST" WALLACE - - - 

BOSTON CELTICS - 1.5 (-110) - - - I hope I lose this bet, 2 units mean nothing to me...those that know me, know I am very serious about this.  Raps are on a 4 games in 5 night swing.  The Thunder put a scare into them late in the 4th Q and Dwayne Casey has to re-insert DeMarr and Kyle, they have played heavy minutes in their 4 games.  Without Big Val, I just do not see the Raps winning against a very underrated Boston squad (view my season preview on the Celts to see how high I am on this team).  Sullinger will smoke the Raps tonight,  Patterson cannot handle him and Tyler will have to play the 5.  DeMarr will smoke Avery as he has a 6 inch height differential on him, but Rondo will hold down Kyle.  Green will smoke the Raps unless Ross and Johnson D him up the way they are capable of doing.  The Celts bench is better than the Raps, especially since sweet Lou has yet to hit his stride.  I suspect the Raps to be fatigued and out-matched against a Boston squad that made a devastatingly spectacular comeback against a Western team I consider to be a "home court squad".  Celts, unfortunately down my boys in bean town.  :(
3 UNITS BILL "LORD OF THE RINGS" RUSSELL - - -

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS - 4.5 (- 119) - - - Lebron always seems to struggle when acclimating himself to a new team, system and offensive playbook.  It comes down to intelligence and basketball I.Q.  LBJ has a lot of all-around skill, one of the best passers the game has ever seen (and that is saying a lot since he is a SF and not a PG), but sheer intelligence is something LBJ has never had and that is why I truly believe he will never be as great and the great one.  Nevertheless, he is the best player on the planet earth and I suspect his redemption song comes tonight vs the Utah Jazz.  Gordan Hayward is an underrated star in this league, but defensively he is still suspect, he cannot handle LBJ nor can any of the SG/SF's on the Jazz roster, look for Lebron to go absolutely bonkers on the Jazz tonight.  Love will own Favors, Verajao and Kanter will even themselves out, Burks will actually out-play Waiters (how does Burks get a 44 million dollar contract...wow!), but Irving will control the game and take Burks to the paint constantly.  With no 2nd pg in the rotation, Utah will struggle to control Irving.  The Cavs bench is very suspect except for the best weak-side offensive rebounder I have seen in a long time, Tristan Thompson.  But I do suspect the vets Marion and Miller to finally show up.  I will save the Jazz season preview for another game because it would contradict a lot of what I have just said as I do like the Jazz a lot...just not tonight.  Exum gets dunked on tonight and has flashbacks of kangaroo jumping in Australia, Cavs roll.

3 UNITS RICKY "COULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING SPECIAL" DAVIS - - -  

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS - 4.5 (-110) - - - I love love love this team.  I actually truly believe that the Golden State Warriors have a legit shot and winning the Western Conference (season standing)...that's right I said it.  Klay Thompson...worth every fuckin penny.  The kid is a star.  Bradley Beal and Klay are the future of this league at the 2 position.  The new Kobe and Wade.  Curry is not only a slick shooter, but has expanded his game to finish at the bucket and absorb contact as well.  As long as his ankles hold up, this kid will be mentioned as a top 5 PG in the NBA for years to come.  Harrison Barnes starting is a brilliant move by Kerr, it allows for a deeper bench and more of a spread offense.  David Lee starts tonight, he may be rust and could quite possibly get owned by Blake, but has always played BG well and if healthy, will cause problems for the all-start power forward.  Andrew Bogut is the MVP of this team, they went 33-13 with him in the lineup and his presence down low is what makes this team a Western Conference finalist contender.  The bench for the Warriors is highlighted by an all-star caliber forward by the name of Iggy.  He may score in single digits, but watch his stats on the glass and with the dimes, the kid is an all-around stud.  First time in his career coming off the bench and his unselfish, humble approach to the game is refreshing.  He may not start games, but he will always finish them.  Draymond Green moves to the bench with the return of Lee, Green is an under-sized PF who can grab boards with the best of em.  His defensive post presence is underrated as well.  Festus is a key role player, he is ever-improving and will surpirse people offensively.  he is a defensive mastermind and a rim-protector in the paint.  Barboas looks like a young spring-chicken and can still ball with the best of em, his offensive aptitude has not decreased over the years, in fact he looks better than ever.  Livingston was a great pickup and Speights is a solid 4 man role player...I love love love this team, +1000 on futures to win the West is a pretty good gamble, they are 1 role player away from being a title contender.  As long as this team stays healthy, they are as good as anyone in the league.  Warriors are golden tonight.

3 UNITS SARUNAS "THE ORIGINAL SIXTH MAN" MARCIULIONIS - - -   

Bol bro. Tailing some
Nice writeup

The covers NBA king 

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate reading your writeups. Thank you and I agree on the wiz and Boston. Good luck bud

 well done mack im on boston, suns and golden state 

will you be writing up games everyday mack? 

Thanks Mak, great write ups as usual.  

Thanks mak. Appreciate early post.

Thanks for analysis, Mak! Love the former player references.

lets go dubz! jonas out for raptors tonight too

Mak, thanks for the insight and look forward to following. Quick question, will you be keeping an overal record with +/- units ytd?  Thanks and BOL!

Love the write ups man, some great insight. Just so you know, Johnson is out for the raps tonight which makes me think Green will have a big game. I am with you on Boston.

Also got Miami and Clips tonight.

Good luck, looking forward to reading your picks.

Like em all except cavs. B2B and going to Utah. Lebron is not pleased and was playing like a chump last night. Utah is just the type of team to pounce and play way ahead of themselves. I like the points +5 and fully expect the jazz to win SU

J.R smith is out. I actually think that benefits the knicks hardaway and shump will get more playing time. J.R is a terrible team player and jacks up to many ridiculous jumpers. I wish the knicks would just cut ties with him.

Appreciate it, good luck to you/us. 

Those are some mighty kind words CMo, much much appreciated.  GL to you whatever plays you're on.  Peace.

nbafan!! Long time no see buddy, great to hear from you again.  I always appreciate your appreciation.  Hope to hear from you all season long man, best of luck to us on the Wiz and Celts, & BOL to you on whatever else you're pulling the trigger on tonight.  Peace.

BOL Mak, got a good laugh at the kangaroo jumping line

Love seeing your dog's mug on my thread.  BOL to you, you popcorn eating son of a gun.

Thanks jriv,

Man I love the Suns squad, can't wait till I get a chance to do a full preview/writeup on them.  But I would be very careful tonight.  Memphis always play the Suns well, Courtney Lee is back which sends Prince back to the bench giving them some depth with Vince, Beno, Price, Koufus and Pondexter.  The Suns have a better bench for sure, but Gasol and Zach just seem to negate everything any opposing bigs do.  So do not expect any production from Plumlee, Markieff or Alex Len.  Even Marcus and Green will be held up because of Allen's defense, not to mention Lee and Conley are solid perimeter defenders.  Be very careful the the Suns today in my opinion, I like the Griz a lot facing a young Suns team on a back to back, just love the Suns too much to bet against them at home at this point in the season.  Good luck though, will be rooting for ya.

I sure will try buddy, but business will always come first.