Yesterday I started off with the line, “It was all good just a week ago.� I should have used it today instead. Then again, I am not a soothsayer. Wait...isn't that kind of what I do here.

That line is a lyric from a Jay-Z song. Jay-Z owns a share of the New Jersey Nets. If you have been watching the playoff games closely; well you don’t even need to watch that closely. But at home games, Jigga Man has been planted in the seat directly to the left of the Nets bench. Right next to head coach, Lawrence Frank. Beyonce even accompanied him on Sunday.

It must have been about a week ago when New Jersey dominated Miami in game 1. Everybody was jumping on the Net bandwagon. They almost knocked me off. I picked the Nets to beat the Heat long ago. 4 games later, the Heat have rather easily dismantled the Nets and are starting to look like contenders.

Tonight, the reigning champs look to stave off elimination. They opened as 5 point favorites. The Suns were also 5 point favorites over the Clipps. And once again I chose the wrong team. This year I chose wrong on 5 point spreads more often than any other spread. Probably because it’s very common. When teams are evenly matched, but one needs a win and is at home, the spread will probably be 5. It is still very hard to pick the winner because points are scored easily in basketball.

It’s similar to the 3 point spread in football except points are harder to come by so it's easier an easier pick. Plus I know football like the back of my hand. If I had to guess I would say I pick at least 75% winners when the spread is a field goal.

If two teams are evenly matched the odds makers will make the home team a field goal favorite. If one team seems to be better than another, but still relatively evenly matched, then the away team will be a 3 point favorite. I have gotten to the point where I can guess the spreads of pro football games within a point or two. Here’s the deal:

NBA Playoffs:
cleveland(+11) over detroit-i might regret this one but Cavs got old Mo on their side
SAN ANTONIO(-5) over dallas-Spurs wont fold like Nets did

MLB:
dodgers over ROCKS
reds over BUCS
BRAVES over marlins
BREW CREW over phils
giants over ASTROS
D BACKS over padres
red sox over ORIOLES-bo sox going for 14th straight over O's
royals over INDIANS
twins over TIGERS
rangers over YANKS
white sox over D RAYS
ANGELS over blue jays
OAK TOWN over mariners

HOME TEAMS IN CAPS
happy Betting!!