NBA Playoff Pick-a-thon Day 58: Manu Gi-NOSE-bili

NBA POST-SEASON RECORD TO DATE: 51-30 ATS 

NBA FINALS: 3-1 ATS

VINNY'S STANLEY CUP FINALS PICKS: 4-1

KYLE'S NHL PICKS TO DATE: 51-39-1

KYLE'S MLB PICKS TO DATE: 166-136-7

KYLE'S UFC PICKS: 14-8*

KYLE'S TENNIS PICKS: 2-0



Through the first four games of the NBA Finals, former elite noggin of the San Antonio Spurs title-wining three-headed monster Manu Ginobili was a paltry 10 for 29 from the field, appeared lost at times, and never seemed to have his usual bag of tricks available during his ever-declining playing time off the bench.



During the off-days between Games 4 and 5, Spurs coach Gregg Popavich pulled Manu aside, held a mirror up to his face and said, "Dude. Remember this guy? You're Manu freakin' Ginobili. It's time to play like him." Ginobili hadn't looked in the mirror since he was a small boy back in the Argentina, and although his nose freaked him out a little, he could smell an opportunity in the air by the tone of Coach Pop's voice. Moments later, Ginobili was told he would get his first start of the season in Game 5. Manu took a deep and relaxing breath, and although Popavich passed out momentarily from oxygen deprivation, when he regained consciousness he said, "Manu - I need you to be aggressive, sniff out the holes in the Miami defense and nose your way through to the hoop." 



Asked about the conversation later, Popavich told reporters, "Manu's like a shark in the ocean. If there's any blood anywhere, any weaknesses in our opponent, he'll smell it before anyone else and attack. Sometimes it leads to poor decisions, but it has also led us to NBA titles back in '03, '05, and '07, so you have to take the inconsistency with the greatness and hope for the best.

According to sources inside the San Antonio Spurs organization, Ginobili's seasonal allergies were historically worse during the even years of last decade which explains the lack of back-to-back titles during their checkerboard dynasty. As it turns out, Coach Popavich has a keen nose for adjustments and Manu Ginobili made him look like a genius, sniffing out the perfect times to either pass or shoot once he turned on the nozzle of his offensive prowess and hosed the Miami Heat down with 24 points and 10 assists. The result - a convincing 114-104 San Antonio Spurs win and a 3-2 series lead heading back to South Beach for Game 6. 



Will Manu being Manny be enough? Will Danny Green extend his own NBA Finals record 25 three pointers back in Miami? Will Snake Woman show up to help Batman and Robin? Will Spoelstra go big, small, or home forever? Tune in tomorrow for the answers to these questions and many, many more. Actually, probably just these questions, but tune in anyway. 

But wait, there's more...

BONUS STANLEY CUP COVERAGE BY VINNY THE GEEK

The Stanley Cup Finals head East to Boston for two games tonight when the Bruins will be hosting the Chicago Blackhawks in a pivotal Game 3 with the series tied 1-1. Thus far the series has not disappointed with both Games 1 and 2 needing extra time to be decided. If there's an early MVP candidate, however, it is Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask, who saved 92 of 97 shots through the first two games. It is not only Rask's vastly improved postseason stats - 1.73 goals/game and .944 save percentage as compared with 2.61 and .912 in 2010 - but also his teams overall record jumping from 7-6 that year to 13-5 this year that helped me make my decisions for this evenings game.



BOSTON BRUINS over Chicago Blackhawks: The Bruins have won six in a row at home this post-season and seven of ten overall with the O/U going 4-4-2. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are 4-6 on the road in their last 10 with the O/U going 2-7-1. Boston has also owned Chicago in recent history with a 7-3 record in head-to-head match-ups. On top of that, Rask is 3-1-1 at hitting the UNDER in his last 5 home games, taking it up a notch in the playoffs. For all of these reasons, I'm going to recommend the Boston Bruins and the UNDER 5.

Vinny and Marco


KYLE'S CORNER: Better Late than Dead


       "I want my two dollars."

Sorry this is a day late, it never ends! 5 more weeks!

Long story short it was a 3-2 night - nothing fantastic, and while my big underdog came through my favorite pick Roy Nelson didn't show up to the fight. That's right, the #5 ranked heavyweight fighter in the world was beaten by decision by someone not even on the top 10. As I predicted, however, Barry had a fight that didn't last a round - not even 2 minutes - the only problem was it was him that got pummeled. My undercard picks went 3-0 but I was stupid and didn't post them in time so I don't get to brag. 

Next time I'll have everything, I promise. And next time is just around the corner. The next big event in the middle of July has a fight I'm so sure about I am literally putting my entire betting roll on it and not breaking a sweat, so stay tuned! 

As Vinny and Marco know I'm in the middle of an intense training process that has me tied up 24/7 so my contributions have declined recently. With basketball and hockey coming to an end, however, football is just around the corner. The NFL is our bread and butter, so I hope everyone is as excited as we are. 

Thanks for coming by my corner of The Zone,

Kyle

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