Game Picker: NBA Opening Night Picks

The NBA Season is about to go underway, with three games on opening night treating fans all over. To celebrate the opening of the new NBA season, I post my very first post in this blog, and my very first predictions on match ups.

Washington Wizards at Cleveland Cavaliers

What should have been a match up between two of the best up and coming point guards and the last two top picks in the draft in John Wall and Kyrie Irving will probably will turn out to be an extension of the preseason. With Wall and big man Nene sidelined, the Wizards are without a marquee name to rally behind, but expect scrappy play from promising rookie Bradley Beal and steady production from acquired veterans Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza.

Cleveland should be powered by Irving and the return of energy guy Anderson Varejao. They did manage to pull out a few wins last year owing to the impressive play of Irving, and the kid can only get better.

Pick: 8 point Cavs win
This might turn into a blowout, but the Wiz can definitely blindside the Cavs. If there is a team the Wiz can try to win against, the Cavs should be one of them. Odds might have Wiz+5.5.

Boston Celtics at Miami Heat

This will turn out to be a battle of the outgoing dynasty and the emerging super dynasty of the East. Apart from being heavy favorites in the East, the drama of Ray Allen turning down more money at Boston to play for Miami adds to the flavor of this matchup. Expect a playoff atmosphere right from the get-go of this match.

Rajon Rondo has a new running mate in Courtney Lee and Jason Terry while Avery Bradley is out. LeBron has a couple of new targets with him with the former Seattle Supersonic tandem of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis.

Pick: 5 point Miami win
Miami may go crazy on threes and blow this game up. This is not a dig at the talent the Celtics have, but more on Miami riding the momentum of their recent championship win. The American Airlines Arena will be wild. Still looking at odds that might give Boston at between +1.5 to +3.5 for this game, considering the intensity and the history of these two teams.

Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers

The injury but bit the Mavs early, with Chris Kaman and Dirk Nowitzki sidelined for their debut game against the super team of Tinseltown. Too much has already been said about the Lakers, and the Mavericks are still searching for an identity, much more now with hands down leader Dirk out.

Pick: 15 point Lakers win
This will be an easy blowout. Dwight will have a field day in the middle, with Elton Brand the only serviceable big Dallas has. That or Dallas will keep it close with Eddy Curry surprising the world with a coming out party. Dallas will probably get at least a +12.5 for this game.