NBA Expert Picks

Kobe is alive and well, my friends! With the Lakers needing to prove that they could clash with the Celtics, Kobe and company exploded on the face of the Celtics. LeBron, Kobe, Dirk and Dwight all flexed their collective muscles on Christmas Day but nothing was more profound than the Lakers answering the bell every time the Celtics tried to ring it.

I was trying to tell you people last year that Bynum was the missing x-factor for the boys in gold and purple last season, and last night he proved it. Bynum freed up Pau Gasol in the fourth quarter and was a rebounding nightmare for the overpowered Celtics. If you weren’t convinced by the Lakers heading in to Christmas Day, well the sleeping giant is awake my friends. And he’s pissed…

So where does that leave us as we try to tie up the loose ends of 2008? This weekend has some solid matchups on the board. As always, my boys at BetOnline.com are taking care of business. It may be the holidays for all of you working stiffs out there, but the best in the business never rest. BetOnline.com sportsbook is up and running ready to show you guys just what a premier sportsbook can do. Before we get to that, here’s a brief rundown of some nice games on the board.

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS -2.5 over Houston Rockets

How do you respond when you get blasted in the face by the Orlando Magic on Christmas? You answer right back. The Hornets are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games at home and hold a 6-3 ATS record in their last 9 matchups with Houston. Expect a big bounce back effort from the boys in New Orleans tonight. Chris Paul will not be denied, my friends.

DENVER NUGGETS -7 over Philadelphia 76ers

Everyone I know that loves the Sixers is straight up pissed this season. The Sixers are 5-10 ATS in their last 15 games, and 5-10 SU in that same stretch. Now Elton is on the shelf and Denver is rolling in to town. Caremlo Anthony and Chauncey are a matchup nightmare for the Sixers, so bet heavy on Denver tonight when they host the travelling Sixers.

UTAH JAZZ -4.5 over Dallas Mavericks

Playing back-to-back games is going to be hard on Dirk and the Mavericks, especially with the big duo of Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur waiting like some savage dogs to eat up the Mavs under the rim. Deron Williams will show the world just how good he is as he uses Jason Kidd as a platform to display his pit bull like ability. Bet Utah tonight, especially at home where they are 5-1 ATS when hosting Dallas.