Wednesday's Picks and Predictions

SMOOTH TALK SPORTS - PRESS RELEASE (CLICK TO READ)


(NBA) 8:00PM EST
DETROIT -1 (WON)
***KNOCKOUT PUNCH OF THE DAY***
Pre-game Comment: Detroit is coming off a SU loss as a home fave and now is a small road fave and, historically, teams have fared well in this role. Detroit is also playing on revenge after being pummelled by the T-Wolves, 106-80, back in November. Minny has won 10 of their L12 while Detroit lost 7 of L9 and yet Detroit opens as the fave? I don't think so! Detroit get their revenge!

Post Game Comment: Things looked pretty bleek for us mid-way through the 3rd when Minny went on an 11-2 run to take an 11 point lead. However, the Pistons re-gained their composure and fought their way back and took the lead with 1:48 left play. The Pistons closed out the game on a 15-3 run to get the win for us. Rasheed Wallace lead the way with 25 points.


(CBB) 7:00PM EST
WAKE FOREST +2 (WON)
Pre-game Comment: This might be one of the stronger set ups we have seen so far this year. Wake coming off a their first loss of the year, a tough loss, to Va Tech while Duke is coming off that huge blowout win against Maryland. The difference tonight will be Wake's ability to control the boards while protecting the perimeter and making it difficult for Duke to shoot the 3, two things the Deacons have done well all season long. Kudos to VT for knocking off Wake on Saturday but we must also realize they caught the Deacons in the perfect sandwich spot - off a huge win over Clemson and with this Duke game on deck. I look for Wake to get back on track in style.

Post Game Comment: Talk about redemption for one player and confidence by his coach! James Johnson's brain fart on defense lead to an open shot that allowed Duke to tie the game with just 11 seconds left. Then with just 3 seconds left and the game on the line Coach Gaudio draws up a play that puts the ball in Johnson's hands - and Johnson delivered at the buzzer giving the deacons the dramatic win. A great win for Wake and a great win for us!


(CBB) 7:00PM EST
VILLANOVA +3 (WON)
Pre-game Comment: Pitt finds themselves in the tough spot of having to take a 200+ mile bus ride across the Pennsylvania Turnpike to play this game. And making matters worse the trip took longer than normal because they had to battle mother nature. The last time Pitt was forced to travel by bus was last year and they did it twice - Dayton and Cincinnati - and they got beat both times! Additionally, I love how these two teams match up and actually believe Nova is the more versatile and athletic team. With the home crowd behind them I expect for the Cats to get the job done in a mild upset.

Post Game Comment: DeJuan Blair got into early foul trouble and his presence was missed. Pitt tried to play through it but the lack of the big man inside put added pressure on their outside game and the Panthers just couldn't get it going; Pitt was cold from 3 point land including 0 for 10 in the 2nd half. Kudos to Nova for understanding they had Pitt on the ropes and for staying physical and aggressive. This was a big win for the Cats and a big win for us!


(CBB) 7:00PM EST
PROVIDENCE -2 (WON)
Pre-game Comment: The Orange have dominated the Friars throughout history and own a 41-9 edge. However, the Orange find themselves the DOG - RED FLAG! The Friars are sitting at 0-2 in conference play and must win to have any chance to make some noise. The Friars are a scrappy and competitive team that finds ways to hang around. It is their balance that I like tonight and believe the home court advantage will be just enough to get the job done! Certain unranked faves have fared well when hosting ranked opponents!

Post Game Comment: The Cuse hobbled into Providence but the injuries didn't have as big of an affect on them as I thought they would. Providence ultimately killed the orange with their balance and 3 point shooting. The Friars were able to hit their 3's and they possess so many threats from beyond the arc that the Cuse was forced out of their deadly zone defense which only helped create opportunities for the Friars inside too. The Friars are the type of team that can get the best of Cuse and they did.


(NBA) 7:30PM EST
TORONTO -2 (LOST)
Pre-game Comment: The Nets are slumping and I don't see their fortunes changing tonight! The Nets are just 1-4 ATS this year as a dog of less than 2.5 points. The Nets are also 1-4 SU in games when they are playing on 1 days rest and playing a team on 2 days rest.

Post Game Comment: This game was close throughout. With just a minute to play everything looked good for us to get the cover. The Raptors were up 3 and with the ball when Bosh drove the baseline for a layup, appeared to be fouled, but suffered a no call. The Nets then pulled within one on Devin Harris' layup. Toronto blew our chances to get back over the number when Jose Calderon missed an open jump shot in the games clsoing moments. This was a tough loss but will not complain considering the night we had.


(NBA) 8:30PM EST
PHILADELPHIA +6 -120 (WON)
Pre-game Comment: I went against the red hot 6ers on Monday and nailed it but tonight I am back on the bandwagon as I like how this one sets up. Houston returns from the Big Apple off a loss to NY (NY was the Knockout Play of the Day) and will kick off a 3-game homestand tonight. Ming is expected to return to the lineup tonight but I don't think he will be that effective. With Yao back I believe Houston will need a few games to back into their rythm. And Philly is the perfect team to take advantage of it and they should be riding high with confidence knowing they already beat them once this season and just 3 weeks ago!

Post Game Comment: The Rockets seemed to have everything under control after McGrady hit a 3 4 minutes into the 3rd quarter putting his team up 14. But then Philly clamped down on defense, took care of the ball, and fought their way back to pull within 5 after closing the quarter on 9-3 run. The 6ers stayed within striking distance throughout the 4th and finally took the lead on Andre Miller's 2 FTs with a little more than 3 minutes to play and Iguodala's jump shot with 40 seconds to play sealed the deal. A great win for the 6ers and a great win for us!



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Let's make it a great day folks!