Nets vs Heat Game 5 Pick ATS

Did the universe hear me say we'd retire if we ever hit both games in a single night? Are cyber space and outer space now equally tired of all the trash we mindlessly dump in them? Who cares - with the Wizards and the Clippers covering last night our NBA playoff stats are finally above .500. And it only took 68 games.

NBA Playoffs Round 2 Record: 10-7-1 ATS

Top Confidence Picks: 11-11-1 ATS

2014 Overall NBA Playoff Record: 34-33-1 ATS

Hindsight is always 20-20, but I feel as though last night's success hinged more upon the psychology of basketball rather than the numbers and trends between the teams, which tend to decrease in usable value as a seven game playoff series goes on. If Washington is 11-1 ATS heading into the series - back them. If they're 12-4 ATS after falling behind 3 games to 1, that ATS record smells a little dodgy. Did we expect Washington to win the game in Indy by 30? Absolutely not. But we did expect the combination of Indiana letting down their guard and Washington having their backs against the wall to yield a close game. As far as the Clippers/Thunder, who didn't see another huge lead blown in the final minutes of the game ending in a devastating road loss? As far as the phantom calls and missed calls - what goes around comes around. The Clippers had a seven-point lead with 48 seconds left, so there's no excuse for losing that game. Onward and upward to tonight's pivotal Game 5's in Miami and San Antonio. And by pivotal, I mean series ending. 

Brooklyn Nets (+7) over MIAMI HEAT: Throw out the numbers - they don't support this pick. The one great thing about veteran ball clubs is they have short-term memories. That was as devastating loss in Game 4 for the Nets, but it also took a near 50 point performance by LBJ to pull it off. That will at least instill enough hope for the Nets to battle long and hard - before ultimately losing. The UNDER looks like the best bet of all. 

Portland Trailblazers (+8) over SAN ANTONIO SPURS: The best thing about young teams is they do have a short-term memory, and in this case it's telling them they can compete with the Spurs. The unbeatable aura of the Spurs took a chink to the armor on Monday, and we believe Rip City carries that confidence into Game 5. Once again, we don't think it will be enough to continue the series, but it should be enough to cover. 

Top Confidence Pick: Portland Trailblazers (+8)

May the Spreads Be With You,

Vinny and Marco

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