Let’s dole out some more winners tonight, in our NBA Picks:

Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers 7:00 pm ET on ESPN (Series tied, 1-1)

It’s clear that the Miami Heat are going to miss Chris Bosh for the entire series. Miami was out rebounded 50-40, while letting the Pacers crash the boards in the final minutes of Game 2, they are clearly missing their leading rebounder. I don’t expect the Heat to miss their final six shots from the field as they did in Game 2, so I’ll roll with Miami tonight, 95-80.

Los Angeles Clippers @ San Antonio Spurs 9:30 pm ET on ESPN (Spurs lead series, 1-0)

San Antonio’s 108-92 victory in Game 1 wasn’t a shock for anybody as the Spurs have proven this year, and years before this, that their Big 3 turn it on during the playoffs. Outside of the first quarter, the Spurs dominated Game 1 in every category, while also letting Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker get some valuable rest towards the end of the game. There’s no way you can pick against the red hot Spurs, especially at home. I’ll take San Antonio, 95-85.

Bonus Picks Against the Spread

Miami -2

Los Angeles +10.5

Here are tonight’s NBA Picks for tonight:

Boston Celtics @ Philadelphia 76ers on TNT 7:00 pm ET (series tied, 1-1)

The younger and more energetic Sixers escaped Boston with a split and now look to gain the upper hand in their Eastern Conference Semifinal match-up. Both games in Beantown were close games, with each team winning a game by a single point. Philadelphia has been very good at home during the playoffs, sporting a perfect 3-0 record. Given how old the Celtics looked in Game 2, it would seem logical to pick the 76ers tonight, but I just feel that the C’s will not be going away that easy. I’ll take Boston, 97-90.

Los Angeles Lakers @ Oklahoma City Thunder on TNT 9:30 pm ET (Thunder lead series, 1-0)

It was clear in game one that the Lakers were not going to be able to keep up the same pace that the Thunder were playing at. Oklahoma City controlled the game from the get go, and never looked back. The Lakers can ill-afford to go down 2-0, so I expect them to play with a bit of resiliency. Having said that I sill like the Thunder at home, 108-101.

Bonus Picks Against the Spread:

Boston +2

Los Angeles +8

I finished the first round of picks on Friday, and ended up with a 8-4 record picking winners, along with a 7-4-1 mark against the spread.

I’ll hand out more winners tonight in our NBA Picks for Monday:

Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics on TNT 7:00 pm ET (Celtics lead series, 1-0)

Boston was able to take game one by a single point, 92-91, as Kevin Garnett had another brilliant playoff game this postseason with a game high 29 points, while adding 11 rebounds. Rajon Rondo was no slouch either with his eighth career playoff triple-double. The Sixers played well enough to win, but they were undone by the play of Rondo in the 4th quarter. It was a nice story for Philadelphia in the first round, however the Celtics are to good of a team to get beat at home. I like Boston, 101-86.

Los Angeles Lakers @ Oklahoma City Thunder on TNT 9;30 om ET (Series tied 0-0)

The NBA’s top two leading scorers during the regular season will square off in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant topped the charts in points, and during the three games they played during the regular season, Durant averaged nearly 30 PPG, while Kobe had 24.3. It figures to be a high scoring game, but I don’t think the Lakers can keep up with the fast break style the Thunder play. With the Lakers having only one day off, I think OKC will put on a show tonight versus the tired legs of Los Angeles, 115-102

Bonus Picks Against the Spread:

Boston -4.5

Oklahoma City -7.5

I went 2-1 yesterday in both the straight-up and the spread pick our NBA Picks, and now stand at 7-4 in both categorizes.

With only one game to breakdown, let’s get started:

Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Clippers 9:00 pm ET on ESPN (Clippers lead series, 3-2)

Both Chris Paul (groin) and Blake Griffin (knee) got some good news today, with both players being deemed game-time decisions and should be getting the start for tonight’s game. The Grizzlies were finally smart enough to get their big men involved, as Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol combined for 42 points to go along with 17 rebounds in a 92-80 Game 5 victory. With Blake Griffin banged-up expect much of the same tonight from that duo. Consider this a Game 7 for the Clippers, because if they lose they will have to go back to Memphis, a place where the Grizzlies were a dominating 26-7 during the regular season. I like the Grizz tonight, 99-88.

Bonus Pick Against the Spread:

Memphis -2

Photo from nbadunkers.com

It was a great day yesterday for my NBA Picks, as I went a perfect 2-0 picking the winners and 2-0 picking the games against the spread.

Let’s not waste anymore time and get right into our NBA Picks for Thursday:

Chicago Bulls @ Philadelphia 76ers 7:00 pm ET on NBA TV (76ers lead series, 3-2)

With their backs against the wall in Game 5, the Chicago Bulls responded with a dominating defensive performance while notching the victory, 77-69. There is some more good new for the top seeded Bulls, as Joakim Noah (ankle) is a game-time decision after partly participating in the morning shootaround. I like Chicago’s chances tonight with or without Noah, 88-79.

Atlanta Hawks @ Boston Celtics 8:00 pm ET on TNT (Celtics lead series, 3-2)

After an MRI on his knee revealed a sprained MCL early Thursday morning, Paul Pierce is still expected to play after fully participating in the morning shootaround. Pierce has been outstanding in this series, averaging 21.8 points per game and 6.6 rebounds. Atlanta will seek to fight off elimination for the second straight game, but I think Pierce and the Celtics will be to much for the Hawks to handle. Give me the C’s, 93-85.

Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets 10:30 pm ET on TNT (Lakers lead series, 3-2)

Kobe Bryant (flu) is a game-time decision after not participating in the morning shootaround. There’s no way Bryant will miss this game, even if he’s not at 100%, he is still better then any other player on the floor. The bad news for the Lakers is that this game is on the road, a place where they were only 15-18 in the regular season, and 1-1 in this series. I like the style Denver plays at home, run and gun, and I expect it to be a problem for the Lakers, who aren’t used to the thin air in Colorado. Give me the Nuggets, 101-98.

Bonus Picks Against the Spread

Chicago +3.5

Boston -7

Denver – 2.5

I went 3-1 in our NBA Picks yesterday, and 2-2 in my picks against the spread, which bring my early record to 3-3 in both categorizes. Lets break down the games tonight, as I strive for a perfect record.

New York Knicks @ Miami Heat 7:00 pm ET on TNT (Heat lead series, 3-1)

The New York Knicks were able to extend their season for at least one more game on Sunday with a win, but they did lose another player, as starting guard Baron Davis tore both his ACL and MCL, and they are now left with Mike Bibby as their starter. New York has been plagued with injuries all season long, and it now looks like their season could be over. Miami is damn-near unbeatable at home as shown by their 28-5 record this season. Give me the Heat, 102-89.

Los Angeles Clippers @ Memphis Grizzlies 9:30 pm ET on TNT (Clippers lead series, 3-1)

The more competitive team in this series find themselves down, and on the brink of elimination. If the Grizzlies want to win this game and the series they’re going to have to get the ball to their big men a lot more often. When Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol combine for 20 points and 14 boards in game 4, while Rudy Gay hoists 25 shots, you’ve dug your own grave. Randolph and Gasol need more touches if the Grizz want to stay alive. I’m taking Memphis for the big win, 96-88.

Bonus Picks Against the Spread:

Miami -11

Memphis -6.5

Let’s see if I can’t do better tonight in our NBA Picks for Tuesday:

Orlando Magic @ Indiana Pacers 7:00 pm ET on NBA TV (Pacers lead series, 3-1)

With a win tonight, the Indiana Pacers will move on the the second round for the second time since 2005, when they host the struggling Orlando Magic. Since dropping game one 81-77, Indiana has outscored Orlando by a combined 40 points over the next three games. The Pacers are playing at a high level right now, and should cruise to an easy victory, 101-80.

Boston Celtics @ Atlanta Hawks 8:00 pm ET on TNT (Celtics lead series, 3-1)

The Atlanta Hawks have played the Boston Celtics tough for three out of the four games this series, but after getting blown out in game four, the Hawks are now facing elimination as the series shifts back to Atlanta. With a 23-10 record at home during the regular season, I expect the Hawks to come out with some intensity, and keep their slim hopes alive, 85-82.

Philadelphia 76ers @ Chicago Bulls 9:30 pm ET on NBA TV (76ers lead series, 3-1)

After coming in to the 2012 NBA Playoffs with the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls are now one game away from being eliminated, and it could mark the fifth time in NBA history that a No. 1 seed lost to a No. 8 seed. No doubt the loss of Derrick Rose has hurt the Bulls, but they did find ways to win without him during the regular season. Now that Joakim Noah (ankle) is listed as a game-time decision, things are looking bleak for the Bulls. I think they pull out the victory tonight, but I don’t expect them to win the series.

Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Lakers 10:30 pm ET on TNT (Lakers lead series, 3-1)

History was against the Denver Nuggets before the series even started. The Nuggets and Lakers have met previously five times in the playoffs, with the Lakers winning all five series, most recently in 2009, as they won 4 games to 2. Simultaneously, the Lakers are 42-1 in their history when winning the first two games of a best-of-seven series. With a superb 26-7 mark at home during the regular season, including 2-0 in this series, the Lakers will close out the Nuggets tonight, 111-106.

Bonus Picks Against the Spread:

Indiana -10

Atlanta -1.5

Philadelphia +5

Denver +5.5

Let’s get right into our NBA Picks for Monday night:

San Antonio Spurs @ Utah Jazz 8:00 pm ET on TNT (Spurs lead series, 3-0)

The Utah Jazz are on the brink of elimination, and will need a win tonight to push this series to a fifth game. Derrick Favors will get the start tonight at power forward, as Utah will use their big line-up in hope of stopping the Spurs inside the paint, who have outscored the Jazz 170-108 this series. It’s going to be a tough task for the Jazz tonight, but I do think they get the victory, 98-96, with Favors playing a huge role.

Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Clippers 10:30 pm ET on TNT (Clippers lead series, 2-1)

After missing numerous free throws down the stretch, the Los Angles Clippers almost let Game 3 slip away from them. They finished the game 13-of-30 from the stripe, and are lucky that they aren’t down 2-1 after that dismal effort at the line. To me, Memphis has looked like the better team during this series, but they can’t go 7 minutes without a bucket like they did in Game 3, or lose a 27 point lead as they did in Game 1. I’ll roll with the Grizz tonight, 93-90.

Bonus Picks against the Spread:

Utah +7.5

Memphis +1.5

As you may recall, the combined efforts of our lead pick guru Trevor Gunn, Michael Burke and myself have helped many NBA fans to some cash throughout the year, and we aim to continue aiding your betting/picking needs for the remainder of the NBA post-season.

Here are Friday night’s games and picks, along with some analysis:

Atlanta Hawks @ Boston Celtics 7:30 pm ET on ESPN (Series tied 1-1)

The Celtics pulled even in Atlanta despite not having Ray Allen or Rajon Rondo, further showing their championship strength. They’re old and tired, but the Hawks are still failing to raise expectations in Atlanta. Athletically, the Hawks should win this game and this series, but I don’t see how a veteran and gritty Boston team goes down 2-1 on their own court. I’ll take the Celtics, 89-81.

Chicago Bulls @ Philadelphia 76ers 8:00 pm ET on ESPN2 (Series tied 1-1)

Derrick Rose is done, which is why it felt like the Bulls were playing with heavy hearts it a dispiriting game two loss. Now they’re on the road against a tougher than expected 76ers team. Chicago can win this series without Rose, but it might get to seven games. Still, for tonight, they’re the more balanced team and they need to get back on top of the series to get their confidence back. Winning on the road is a great way to do that. Give me the Bulls, 92-88.

Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets 10:30 pm ET on ESPN (Lakers lead series, 2-0)

The Lakers are too big and long, and they have the game’s best pure scorer in Kobe Bryant. Denver isn’t a group of slouches, but they happened to run into the West’s best team (in my opinion). It’s just that they didn’t start playing like it until now. The Nuggets can keep it close, but I don’t see how they don’t get swept. They’re too over-matched. The dream of the sweep lives on tonight, as the Lakers win another tight one, 104-102.

This week I’ve gone 12-6 in our NBA Predictions, and now sit at 398-206 for the season.

Here are the NBA Picks for Thursday night:

Dallas (36-29) over ATLANTA (39-26)

Dallas has won four of the past six games when playing the Hawks in Atlanta. Atlanta might be resting their key players, so I’ll take the Mavs.

BOSTON (38-27) over Milwaukee (31-34)

Head coach Doc Rivers recently said that he plans to play his starters in order to ensure home court advantage for the first round. Boston takes this game.

CHICAGO (49-16) over Cleveland (21-44)

The Chicago Bulls should beat down the lifeless Cleveland Cavaliers tonight, even with their starters playing limited minutes. Bulls win 105-88.

Philadelphia (35-30) over DETROIT (24-41)

The Sixers are headed to the playoffs for the second straight year, and fourth time out of the last five seasons. Philly pushes their win streak to five games tonight.

HOUSTON (33-32) over New Orleans (21-44)

Houston looked to be on their way to the postseason earlier this month, but after losing seven of their last eight games, the Rockets will be watching the playoffs from home.

Denver (37-28) over MINNESOTA (26-39)

The Nuggets can lock up the sixth seed with a win tonight, or they can dropped to the seventh seed with a loss coupled by a Mavericks win over the Hawks. Denver takes care of the Kevin Love-less T-Wolves tonight.

UTAH (35-30) over Portland (28-37)

Fresh off clinching the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Utah Jazz will seek to continue their dominance over the Portland Trail Blazers. Utah has won 8 of the last 11 meeting versus Portland.

WASHINGTON (19-46) over Miami (46-19)

No LeBron, Wade or Bosh tonight, as they’re all sitting to rest up for the playoffs. Washington has already beaten the Heat this season, and they’ll do so again tonight.

TORONTO (22-43) over New Jersey (22-43)

Toronto is 8-4 in the last 12 games when playing the New Jersey Nets. Raptors win, 91-80.

MEMPHIS (40-25) over Orlando (37-28)

With a win tonight, the Memphis Grizzlies will secure home-field advantage for the first round of the playoffs. I’ll take the Grizz, 93-79.

New York (35-30) over CHARLOTTE (7-58)

When the Charlotte Bobcats lose tonight, they will become the worst team ever in NBA basketball history. One loss and they will have the worst ever winning percentage in the NBA.

Los Angeles Lakers (41-24) over SACRAMENTO (21-44)

Kobe Bryant only needs 37 points tonight to become the leading scorer in the NBA this season. I don’t think he will get there, but I do think they win this game.

San Antonio (49-16) over GOLDEN STATE (23-42)

Having already locked up the number one seed and home-field advantage in the Western Conference, I expect the big three to rest tonight. Spurs win anyway, 92-89.