PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:

1. ORLANDO
2. WASHINGTON
3. ATLANTA
4. MIAMI
5. CHARLOTTE
 
ORLANDO
COACH: STAN VAN GUNDY
LAST YEAR:  52-30
TOP DRAFT PICK:  COURTNEY LEE
 
OUTLOOK:
Orlando was the only team in the NBA that had a better road mark than home at 27-15. They need to develop more of a homecourt advantage this season. They have the dominant player in Howard, as he has recorded 189 double-doubles in three years - the most in the NBA. The Magic have been the best shooting team in the NBA over the past five seasons with a 46% mark. Howard may be this season’s most valuable player. His presence has allowed the Magic to play with two small forwards and cause severe matchup problems. Unbelieveably, the Magic hit at least five three pointers in every single game, and their 9.77 a game was the leagues best.  All the parts are in place to go deep into the playoffs, especially if they take on the homecourt mentality that was missing last year.
 
WASHINGTON
COACH: EDDIE JORDAN
LAST YEAR: 43-39
TOP DRAFT PICK: JAVALE MCGEE
 
OUTLOOK:
The Wizards remain commited to their trio of stars Arenas, Butler, and Jamison. The problem is that they have been knocked out of the playoffs in the first round two straight years - both by the Cavs. The winning seasons have been marginal, as over the past four years the Wizards have won between 41-45 games each year. Gilbert Arenas managed just 13 games last season, but should be healthy this year. He has averaged 28.2 ppg over the past three years for the top spot in the NBA. Jamison is one of just four NBA players to average a double-double last year. Butler had a career year, so the nucleus is in place if they can stay healthy to get past the first round. If not, you might see this team break up the trio next season and try something new.
 
ATLANTA
COACH: MIKE WOODSON
LAST YEAR: 37-45
TOP DRAFT PICK: TRADED TOP 2 PICKS
 
OUTLOOK:
This team is growing and heading in the right direction. Four years ago they won 13 games then jumped to 26, then 30, and last year reached 37 wins and into the playoffs. They will miss Josh Childress, who went to Greece for a 30 million dollar payday. Joe Johnson became a player that could take over down the stretch, and gaining in All-Star caliber play is Josh Smith. Smith could be a 20-10 guy that also blocks shots this season. The Hawks have another double-double potential player in Al Horford, who made his presence known against the Celtics in game one with a 20-point, 10-rebound effort. This team is still a bit short and it is hard to see them getting much further than a year ago, but the playoffs are likely, but so is one and done.
 
MIAMI
COACH: ERIK SPOELSTRA
LAST YEAR:  15-67
TOP DRAFT PICK: MICHAEL BEASLEY
 
OUTLOOK:
The Heat did a freefall last season from 44 wins to 15. The Wade injury sure had an impact, but the Heat were just not a competitive team at all. The 200 games missed by several players certainly was a big contributing factor. Wade is a trememndous player, but is he durable enough for the NBA? He has missed significant time now for two consecutive years. With a healthy Wade and Marion the Heat have two solid players, but question marks everywhere else. Chalmers as a rookie point guard? Will Beasley make an immediate impact? The bench? This team still has a long way to go, but after 15 wins, should be much better this year.
 
CHARLOTTE
COACH:  LARRY BROWN
LAST YEAR:  32-50
TOP DRAFT PICK: D.J. AUGUSTIN
 
OUTLOOK:
The Bobcats were an up-and-coming team, but seemed to have reached the peak of growth, and actually lost one more game last year, than the previous season’s 33. Larry Brown will be worth a few games to this team - money well spent by the Bobcats. The Bobcats weren’t a playoff caliber team last year and certainly aren’t this season. Top players Richardson and Wallace just are a far cry from other teams’ top players, and the Bobcats are destined to again be in the low to mid 30s for wins.

Tags: Cavs predictions against the spread, NBA Picks 2010

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH

1. NEW ORLEANS
2. SAN ANTONIO
3. HOUSTON
4. DALLAS
5. MEMPHIS
 
NEW ORLEANS
COACH: BYRON SCOTT
LAST YEAR:  56-26
TOP DRAFT PICK:  None
 
OUTLOOK:
The Hornets seemed to be a veteran player away from being right there last year, so they sold their first-round pick in the draft and used it to sign James Posey from the Celtics. With their top four players under contract for at least the next two years, this team should only get better. They have perhaps the best PG in the NBA in Chris Paul. His 11.6 apg. and 2.7 spg. both led the NBA - something no player has ever done before. They have the NBA’s toughest matchup in Peja Stajokovic, who is now the three-point leader in made threes amongst the trees (6’10″ or over) and scorer/banger inside in David West. This team could challenge for the NBA title this season.
 
SAN ANTONIO
COACH: GREGG POPOVICH
LAST YEAR:  56-26
TOP DRAFT PICK:  GEORGE HILL
 
OUTLOOK: 
The Spurs are getting older, but the team is not showing it, at least not yet. Anytime a team in the NBA buys into the defensive end of the floor, they will be in the thick of things. The Spurs have allowed an average of under 90 ppg over a 10 year period! Tops in the NBA. Parker, Ginobli, and Duncan give them three money players and if they stay healthy the Spurs will be in the mix at the end. This team has won between 56-63 games for the last five years, don’t expect that to change much this season.
 
HOUSTON
COACH: RICK ADELMAN
LAST YEAR:  55-27
TOP DRAFT PICK: JOEY DORSEY
 
OUTLOOK:
With Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming (17 years of time between them), and not even a sniff of the second round playoffs, the Rockets added a third bigtime player by signing Ron Artest. Artest will toughen-up a soft team, be a shutdown defender and also a third scoring option. If the trio can all manage to stay healthy for a change, the Rockets could finally make some noise come playoff time.
 
DALLAS
COACH: RICK CARLISLE
LAST YEAR:  51-31
TOP DRAFT PICK: SHAN FOSTER
 
OUTLOOK:
The Mavs slid last season. After a pair of 60+ win seasons they barely topped 50 last year. They sold-out their first round pick to New Jersey for Jason Kidd, which turned out to be a horrible move, and now this team is suddenly having an old look to it. The Mavs have won during the regular season with some lofty win totals, but they are just 3-12 in their last 15 playoff games, and may have trouble even getting there this season.
 
MEMPHIS
COACH: MARC IOVARONI
LAST YEAR:  22-60
TOP DRAFT PICK: O.J. MAYO
 
OUTLOOK:
The Grizzles may be better but the division is loaded, so it won’t show. The Grizzlies finished with a .268 winning percentage last year in the Southwest while the other four teams combined winning percentage was .665. The gap is just too wide. Rudy Gay was by far the most improved player in the NBA upping his average by over nine points a contest (NBA best), but the supporting cast needs time to develop. Although Memphis may win more games, the playoffs aren’t in sight.

Tags: Cavs predictions against the spread, NBA Picks 2010

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:
 
1. UTAH
2. DENVER
3. PORTLAND
4. MINNESOTA
5. OKLAHOMA CITY
 
UTAH
COACH: Jerry Sloan
LAST YEAR: 54-28
TOP DRAFT PICK: KOSTA KOUFOS
 
OUTLOOK:
The Jazz have improved their win total in each of the past three seasons and should be at least close to doing it again this year. Deron Williams may be the most underrated PG in the NBA. He fed Carlos Boozer 270 times - second highest in the NBA to a single player. He also scored 1,500+, had 800+ assists and shot over 50%. Just two players in NBA history have accomplished that - and one is Magic Johnson, enough said. They have all the parts and understand homecourt advantage. The achillies heel for this team has been defense  as they allowed almost 100 ppg last season. If Sloan can get this team to get more focused on the defensive end they will have a chance to win a Championship.
 
DENVER
COACH:  GEORGE KARL
LAST YEAR:  50-32
TOP DRAFT PICK: NONE (SONNY WEEMS THROUGH TRADE)
 
OUTLOOK:
Iverson and Anthony scored 30+ in the same game seven times - no other tandem was even in the hunt. So we know the scoring is there for Denver. They averaged 118 ppg in March, so this team sn’t worried about offense. The Nuggets dealt Marcus Camby and his double-digit scoring and nine boards, and Eduardo Najera left through free-agency, so the Nuggets defense may be worse. The Nuggets will depend on Balkman (acquired from Knicks) for toughness and defense. There is no doubt this team will score, and it is likely they will trade for help inside before the season gets too long.
 
PORTLAND
COACH: NATE MCMILLAN
LAST YEAR:  41-41
TOP DRAFT PICK: JERRD BAYLESS
 
OUTLOOK:
The Blazers had two glaring weaknesses last season. They averaged less than eight fast-break points a game, worst in the league. Theygot nothing inside as their 31.2 points in the paint was also a league worst. Somehow they finished at .500, so a lot of good things are in place. Immediate help should come in the paint as Greg Oden steps on the court for the first time, so he will address that issue. LaMarcus Aldridge doubled his scoring last year and is heading for stardom. This is a young team and should be better, but just how much is anyone’s guess, but they will challenge for a playoff spot.
 
MINNESOTA
COACH: RANDY WITTMAN
LAST YEAR:  22-60
TOP DRAFT PICK: KEVIN LOVE
 
OUTLOOK:
The Wolves win total has declined in each of the past four seasons, but that may change this year. The Wolves have added Mike Miller and if Love lives up to his potential, along with the emergence of Al Jefferson as a potent big man the Wolves will get better, but still a long way from the top of this division. If they make the playoffs, they will be ecstatic!
 
OKLAHOMA CITY:
COACH: P.J. CARLISIMO
LAST YEAR: 20-62
TOP DRAFT PICK: RUSSELL WESTBROOK
 
OUTLOOK:
This franchise probably needed a new city. Formerly the Seattle Supersonics, have been anything but super. They are off a 20 win season, and just 1 playoff appearance in the last 6 years. The Sonics are beginning to build a nucleus that will pay dividends in the future. They have Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and now have added Westbrook, so they are beginning to get some players, but this year is going to be another loser for Oklahoma City.

Tags: Cavs predictions against the spread, NBA Picks 2010

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:

1. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
2. PHOENIX
3. GOLDEN STATE
4. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
5. SACRAMENTO

LA LAKERS
COACH: PHIL JACKSON
LAST YEAR: 57-25
TOP DRAFT PICK: JOE CRAWFORD

OUTLOOK:
The Lakers addition of Gasol late last season got them to the NBA Finals. They posted a 22-5 mark when he arrived. It would appear that with the return of Andrew Bynum, the Lakers could be poised to return again this season. The Lakers have won the West 15 times since conference play started 38 years ago and went to the finals 14 times. It is hard to imagine that they get derailed this season.

PHOENIX
COACH: TERRY PORTER
LAST YEAR: 55-27
TOP DRAFT PICK: ROBIN LOPEZ

OUTLOOK:
The departure of Mike D’Antoni to the Knicks probably means the Suns go to a more conventional game, better suited to get Amare Stoudemire more touches and allow Shaq to be more effective. The Suns time is running out with Shaq now 36, and Nash 34. This will be a make-or-break year for the Suns, the slide either begins, or they make their final run for a Championship.

GOLDEN STATE
COACH: DON NELSON
LAST YEAR: 48-34
TOP DRAFT PICK: ANTHONY RANDOLPH

OUTLOOK:
The Warriors faded down the stretch last season finishing April at 3-6 and despite 48 wins they did not make the playoffs. They will really miss Baron Davis who opted out of his contract and signed with the Clippers. He has been replaced by Corey Maggette. Maggette gets to the line as much as anyone besides Iverson and Bryant. The Warriors can score with anyone, as they had 37 games of 100+ points in a row last year, but they have to defend to move up, and the corps of  players here don’t seem to understand that.

LA CLIPPERS
COACH: MIKE DUNLEAVY
LAST YEAR: 23-59
TOP DRAFT PICK: ERIC GORDON

OUTLOOK:
The Clippers were never in sync last year as they started 37 different lineups. The Clippers seemed to be on the right path when they signed Baron Davis, but then they lose Elton Brand, so not sure of the gain or loss, but it is certainly not going to vault them upward. The Clippers are a team that plays defense as they allowed the fewest fast-break points in the league last year. They also added Marcus Camby who has led the league in blocks the last three years. The Clippers should win more games, but in the West that simply isn’t good enough.

SACRAMENTO
COACH: REGGIE THEUS
LAST YEAR: 38-44
TOP DRAFT PICK: JASON THOMPSON

OUTLOOK:
The Kings dealt Ron Artest and it is apparent that this team is planning to take a young team and build around draft picks. So in a couple years they will hopefully have enough room when they are in salary cap position to lure some bigtime players to put them over the top. Until then this team will struggle. Anything above the basement this year would be a success.

Tags: Cavs predictions against the spread, NBA Picks 2010

In no-limit Texas hold’em, an overpair is a pair higher than anything that appears on the board. Overpairs can be tricky to play. You will often have the best hand and would like to extract a large amount of money from your opponents. On the other hand, you have only one pair, and a misstep could prove dangerous. This Texas Holdem tips article will help you make the most of your overpairs.

Sample Overpair Situation

You hold KK and raise $20 before the flop. One opponent calls and the flop comes J T 4 of mixed suits. Your opponent bets out $40. This is a great opportunity to raise. Although your opponent might have JT, the chances are better that he has a hand like AJ or KJ. This is where you will make your most money with an overpair, when your opponent flops top pair. An opponent with AJ may put you on a jack as well and pay you off.

Sample Overpair Situation Two:

You hold 8c8s and call an opponent’s raise of $20. The flop comes 5d 4d 3d. Your opponent leads out for $60. You probably don’t want to continue with this hand. Your opponent could have raised before the flop with a higher pocket pair, in which case you would be dominated. He could also hold two diamonds. Even if he has only one diamond, another diamond or an over card on the turn or river would make it very difficult to continue.

As you can see, how you will play an overpair will depend on the situation. Play them strategically so that you can extract the maximum when they are the best hand and lose the minimum when they are not.

Tags: Cavs predictions against the spread, NBA Picks 2010