No Hassles, No Hype Sports Picks

Lakers vs. Thunder

When it comes down to it this one is going to be won on the home court and the Lakers have a much better shot t a road win then the Thunder. We still look forward to seeing the Kobe Bryant vs. Kevin Durant showdown. With Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom the Lakers bring a huge front line. And the reason Ron Artest was brought in was to shut players like Durant down. When they tip-off this series, it will be business as usual for Los Angeles. Experience and home court wins this one for the Lakers.

Prediction: Los Angeles in 5

LAKERS WON, 3-1

97.9 Off. Eff. 96.7

96.4 Pace 96.4

97.0 PPG 95.5

42.8 RPG 42.5

17.8 APG 21.0

.437 FG% .433

.276 3PT% .218

.768 FT% .821

Game Schedule/Result

Game 1 3:00 PM - Sunday, April 18 (Los Angeles)

Game 2 10:30 PM - Tuesday, April 20 (Los Angeles)

Game 3 9:30 PM - Thursday, April 22 (Oklahoma City)

Game 4 9:30 PM - Saturday, April 24 (Oklahoma City)

*Game 5 TBD - Tuesday, April 27 (Los Angeles)

*Game 6 TBD - Friday, April 30 (Oklahoma City)

*Game 7 TBD - Sunday, May 2 (Los Angeles)

Mavericks vs. Spurs

This will be a very intriguing series to say the least. The Mavericks have a revamped line-up since the trading for Heywood and Butler. However, the lack of continuity sometimes slows the team up and that maybe their Achilles heel in this series. In stark contrast, San Antonio is back at full strength after sustaining injuries all season long as they played their best ball at the end of the season. Everyone is pointing for Dallas to wrap this one up in 6 games but I feel this series has Game 7 written all over it. In a game 7 setting and these two teams, flip coin. Mavs or Spurs either one.

Prediction: San Antonio in 7

MAVERICKS WON, 3-1

102.3 Off. Eff. 98.7

93.1 Pace 93.1

97.5 PPG 94.5

45.5 RPG 45.3

19.3 APG 20.8

.416 FG% .446

.344 3PT% .349

.781 FT% .690

Game Schedule/Result

Game 1 8:00 PM - Sunday, April 18 (Dallas)

Game 2 9:30 PM - Wednesday, April 21 (Dallas)

Game 3 9:30 PM - Friday, April 23 (San Antonio)

Game 4 7:00 PM - Sunday, April 25 (San Antonio)

*Game 5 TBD - Tuesday, April 27 (Dallas)

*Game 6 TBD - Thursday, April 29 (San Antonio)

*Game 7 TBD - Saturday, May 1 (Dallas)

Suns vs. Trail Blazers

The Phoenix Suns have been playing championship brand of ball since the All-Star break and not just because of their offense but due to their drastically improved defense and outstanding play by their second unit. Portland brings one of the most talented groups to the playoffs, however, injuries and the lack of depth spells trouble for Portland in this series. It would not be a shock to see Portland go deep in the playoffs but the Suns have a shot at playing for the Title.

Prediction: Phoenix in 6

BLAZERS WON, 2-1

104.4 Off. Eff. 109.7

92.8 Pace 92.8

98.7 PPG 100.0

39.7 RPG 40.3

19.7 APG 18.7

.446 FG% .461

.379 3PT% .326

.821 FT% .735

Game Schedule/Result

Game 1 10:30 PM - Sunday, April 18 (Phoenix)

Game 2 10:00 PM - Tuesday, April 20 (Phoenix)

Game 3 10:00 PM - Thursday, April 22 (Portland)

Game 4 4:30 PM - Saturday, April 24 (Portland)

*Game 5 TBD - Monday, April 26 (Phoenix)

*Game 6 TBD - Thursday, April 29 (Portland)

*Game 7 TBD - Saturday, May 1 (Phoenix)

Nuggets vs. Jazz

We are going to call for The Denver Nuggets to win this series for one reason, home court and Carmelo Anthony. Chauncey Billups has ton of experience and has won championships with the Detroit Pistons. Chauncey took them to Western Conference Finals in his first year with Denver. Utah counters with one of the best point guards in the NBA with in Deron Williams. Utah also brings strong role players in Mehmet Okur, Andrei Kirilenko and Paul Millsap. The issue with Utah is injuries and in the end those injure my just be too much to overcome.

Prediction: Denver in 6

Game Schedule/Result

Game 1 10:30 PM - Saturday, April 17 (Denver)

Game 2 10:30 PM - Monday, April 19 (Denver)

Game 3 10:30 PM - Friday, April, 23 (Utah)

Game 4 9:30 PM - Sunday, April 25 (Utah)

*Game 5 TBD - Wednesday, April 28 (Denver)

*Game 6 TBD - Friday, April 30 (Utah)

*Game 7 TBD - Sunday, May 2 (Denver)