NBA Picks Thursday

G1- D.J. Augustin CHA- Augustin is averaging 11 points and 11 assists this year vs. DET. The Pistons average giving up 96 points per game, most of which are to opposing guards. Possibly a stretch but Augustin also averages 3 more points per game during Charlotte’s 7 wins this year, and this is a game we believe they could have a chance in. In other words, Augustin could score 14 points and have 11 assists tonight vs. DET.

G2- Jose Juan Barea MIN- JJ is averaging 13 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds in the 4 games Ridnour has been out. 3 points, 3 assists, and 1 rebound higher than his season average. Also, with Love out expect Barea to look to score more. Expect 18+ fantasy points.

G3- Wesley Johnson MIN- Johnson is averaging 11 points in the 4 games without Ridnour and Rubio 5 points higher than his season average, also getting more minutes. Now, with Love out, expect Johnson to score even more. Expect 11+ fantasy points tonight.

G4- Nate Robinson GS- Robinson is averaging 16 points and 6 assists in his last 3 games, 6 points and 2 assists higher than his season averages. Robinson also put up 21 points vs. the Mavericks last time these two teams played.

F1- Dirk Nowitzki DAL- Dirk has been rebounding better as of late. Averaging 2 more rebounds per game over his last 10 games. Nowitzki is coming off back to back poor shooting nights. Last game he was 4-14 from the field. Golden State is the 5^th worst defensive team in the league giving up an average of 101 points per game.

F2- Blake Griffin LAC- With all the injuries to the Timberwolves, it is an all second string team for defense. No second string defender can stop Blake Griffin. Griffin averages 10 rebounds per game this year with Love in, with Love’s rebounds out of the game Griffin should be able to pull down more boards. On top of that, he is averaging 26 points per game this year vs. the Timberwolves, 6 points higher than his season average.

C1- Greg Monroe DET- Charlotte’s defense is 4^th worst in the league giving up 101 points per game. Monroe is also coming off a 26 minute night in which he only scored 9 points which should bring his cost down just a tick. He is also coming off an off day which has proven in this condensed season to favor everyone. Monroe is averaging 18 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal in 3 games vs. Charlotte this year who has given up monster games to big men all year. Howard averages 20 and 20 vs. them. Expect 27+ fantasy points tonight.

C2- Nikola Pekovic MIN- Minnesota injury report: Millicic- questionable, Ellington, Love, Ridnour, Rubio Out. You need a minimum of 2 Timberwolves on your team tonight, if not three, and Pekovic needs to be one of them. Pekovic is averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds in games he plays over 30 minutes, which are 6 points, and 4 rebounds, which he definitely should get tonight.

Best Value Picks For Each Team:

CHA- D.J. Augustin

CHI- Ronnie Brewer

DAL- Dir Nowtizki

DET- Greg Monroe

LAC- Blake Griffin

MEM- O.J. Mayo

MIN- Derick Williams

SA- Tony Parker

Top 10 Snake Rankings:

1.     Blake Griffin LAC

2.     Chris Paul LAC

3.     Tony Parker SA

4.     Greg Monroe DET

5.     Dirk Nowitzki DAL

6.     Nikola Pekovic MIN

7.     Rudy Gay MEM

8.     D.J. Augustin CHA

9.     O.J. Mayo MEM

10.    J.J. Barea MIN

Pick'em:

Chris Paul LAC

Blake Griffin LAC

Dirk Nowitzki DAL

Greg Monroe DET

D.J. Augustine CHA

J.J. Barea MIN

Nate Robinson GS

Michael Beasley MIN

Lineup:

G- J.J. Barea MIN

G-Tony Parker SAS

F- Derick Williams MIN

F- Blake Griffin LAC

C- Greg Monroe DET

C- Nikola Pekovic MIN

U- Chris Paul LAC

U- O.J. Mayo MEM

Overall Record:
          6-1