Hey there guys,
Well yesterday wasn't exactly what I would call my best day. I went 2-3 (0-5 ats) in the NBA as the Raptors kept a very very tiny grip on that 8th seed in the East with a 2 point upset of the Bobcats in Charlotte, the Nets secured their 10th win of the season against the Spurs, making sure that the Nets will not go down as the worst team in NBA history, Pau Gasol had a monster night (26 points 22 rebounds) as the Lakers lost in New Orleans to CP3 and the Hornets, the Mavericks won a big game at home against the Nuggets as Dirk Nowitzki dropped a triple double (34 points 10 rebounds 10 assists) on the head coach-less Nugs, and Carlos Boozer's double double (26 points 14 rebounds) helped the Jazz hold off the Knicks 103-98. In the NHL I went 4-1, eh not bad, as the Sabres rode Ryan Miller's 40 saves to a 3-2 upset win in Boston, the Predators continued their hot streak with a 3-2 win over the Panthers, and the Anaheim Ducks saw some great play from Goalie Curtis McElhinney (30 saves) and RW Corey Perry (1 goal 1 assist) as the Ducks took out the Stars 3-1. Well today I am going to have a Picks Special as I am going to give my picks for tonights NIT Final Four meetings between Dayton vs. Ole Miss and Rhode Island vs. North Carolina. I will also be going back to my regular format for the NBA and NHL. Today in the there are some ok games but not much I would get overly excited about, though I am going to be paying very close attention to the Game tonight that features Amare Stoudemire and the Phoenix Suns vs. Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls are 1 game back from the ever changing 8th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and they are going to have to take on one of the league's hottest teams in the Phoenix Suns. This should be a very interesting match up. In the NHL there are some solid games as the Battle for New York rages on as the Rangers "travel" to face the Islanders, the Senators head to Washington to take on Alexander Ovechkin, the struggling Blackhawks head to St. Louis to take on the Hot Blues, Los Angeles and Nashville face off in a potential playoff match up, and Vancouver and Phoenix go head to head in Canada. Should be interesting. Hope you guys enjoy.
My Picks.....
NIT
Dayton Flyers 23-12 vs. Ole Miss Rebels 24-10
6:00pm
ESPN
Line: Push
Preview: This is going to be a very interesting game between a good defense in Dayton, and a good offense in Ole Miss. I have like the Flyers in this tournament from the opening as they win with great defense and rebounding, while Ole Miss runs an exciting up and down the court style of offense that fans generally like. It is going to be very interesting as to which team crashes the boards better as the Rebels average more rebounds per game but the Flyers are much better at keeping their opponents off the boards. I am also going to be very interested to see how the turnover battle plays out as the Flyers are very good at ball handling and are a great passing offense but the Rebels are a very aggressive defense and are very fast. In the End I think the Flyers come out on top not for the reasons above but I feel like the coaching in Dayton is just slightly better.
Dayton by 2
Rhode Island 26-9 vs. North Carolina 19-16
8:00 PM
ESPN
Line: UNC -1
Preview: Talent? Check. Coaching? Check. North Carolina wins both of those. So they should win this game right? I don't think so. Yep I am going with the upset and picking the Rams in this one as they are very good at at defense and what is North Carolina the worst at? Turnovers. Damn skippy. I think that Rams take this game based off great defense, forcing turnovers, and frustrating the already frustrated North Carolina fans. North Carolina has won 2 road games already in the NIT but they have not been a very good team on the road this season while the Rams have not been terrible on the "Rhode" -chuckle- I like the Rams to win this one.
Rhode Island by 6
NBA
kings @ PACERS (-6) by 7
THUNDER (-5) by 7 @ 76ers
SUNS (-3) by 7 @ bulls
The reason that I am so interested in this game is not only because of what it means to the Eastern Conference playoffs but for those who don't remember the Phoenix Suns LOST IN PHOENIX the last time they played the Bulls. And the biggest reason why was because of DEFENSE. The outstanding defensive play of Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich forced Steve Nash to turn the ball over 5 times in that game and got in his head and caused what may be one of the most efficient shooters ever to shoot only 4-12 from the field. Joakim Noah was all over Amare Stoudemire and Amare was only able to get 5 rebounds. But another giant reason they won was because of the bench play in that game, lead by John Salmons and his critical 14 points in 25 minutes. The reason I am picking the Suns here is that they are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, Nash is playing better then he was then and Rose is coming off a fairly recent injury, Stoudemire has been head and shoulders above how he was then and Noah has been day-t0-day recently with foot problems, and now Salmons is no longer coming off the bench for the Bulls. I would not be surprised if the Bulls won again but I fell that today is the Phoenix Suns day.
clippers @ BUCKS (-11) by 13
wizards @ ROCKETS (-8) by 9
NHL
bruins @ DEVILS
rangers @ ISLANDERS
thrashers @ MAPLE LEAFS
senators @ CAPITALS
I look at the numbers from the season and then I look at this game and you wouldn't think that Senators would have much of a chance but if Ottawa pulls off the upset tonight they will have taken the season series from the Capitals. Looking at the previous 3 games, and I realize this sounds like an easy analysis but it is really true in this situation, whoever plays the best defense wins the game. Simple I know. But whichever team wins the shots on goal battle and the turnover battle has won these games. You wouldn't think offense would be a problem for the Capitals as they currently have the leader for MVP in Alex Ovechkin but for the 2 losses he has been essentially a non factor. The biggest difference in my opinion has been the goalie play for the Capitals. Joe Theodore will be in the net tonight for the caps, as he was during their only win over the Senators this season and I think he will be the difference tonight.
lightning @ BLUE JACKETS
oilers @ RED WINGS
blackhawks @ BLUES <----- UPSET
This seems like a fairly bold pick, which it really is, but I feel like when it comes to Hockey I got a 50/50 shot anyway so I will try to put some rationalization to this pick real quick. First and foremost the Blackhawks are in a bit of a rough stretch right now having lost their last 2 games and 7 of their last 10 while the Blues, fighting for their very tiny playoff hopes, have won 2 in a row and 6 of their last 10. My reasoning behind this is that Chicago, having already locked up a playoff spot won't put as much stock in this game as will the Blues, who are 8 points out with 7 games to go. The Blues have played the Blackhawks better in their recent matchups, a 3-2 win in Chicago, and a 1-2 loss in St. Louis. I think the need to win will drive Paul Kariya and Chris Mason to be at the top of their games and the Blues pull off the upset.
kings @ PREDATORS
coyotes @ CANUCKS
Alright guys, I have a lot I have to get working on but I am going to be posting my Power Rankings today, and I should have my first MLB Preview ready to go up by tomorrow. Hope you guys enjoy. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas you can contact me at (256) 653-2393 or at wherethelandsharksare@gmail.com.
Thank you for reading
Batteman
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