Flickr Photo via Keith Allison

You don’t need to be an NBA expert to know that Carlos Boozer‘s first season as a Bull can be labeled as a disappointment. The Bulls had hoped he would bring a strong scoring presence to the paint for Chicago when they signed him to a 5-year, $80 million deal last summer.

That never really happened. Boozer struggled to find offensive consistency and couldn’t maintain chemistry with his battery mate in the paint, Joakim Noah. His inconsistency really burned the Bulls in the postseason, when he disappeared on both ends of the court, and had many questioning whether or not Boozer was a good choice for the franchise.

Those questions weren’t new, though. When the Bulls signed Boozer, after missing out on the likes of free agent big men Amar’e Stoudemire and Chris Bosh, the questions about Boozer’s health and consistency were instantaneous. And he would prove both of those concerns to be valid over the course of his first season in the Windy City.

It’s because of those struggles in his one season that have left many wondering whether or not Boozer will be a Bull in the 2011-12 season (if there is a season). Despite the woes Boozer experienced this year, he did do some good things, which has left a rumored interest in him from some teams.

While many will hope one of those teams is Orlando, the Magic are reportedly interested in Boozer to pair with Dwight Howard, not to swap the two. But Orlando isn’t the only name that has popped up in these early-summer, and questionable, trade rumors. The Golden State Warriors are looking for a big man, and their biggest scoring threat just might be available.

While Warriors’ brass has shot down the rumors already, Monta Ellis‘ name has come up several times already this offseason, since the NBA finals ended just over a week ago. His name has come up in a possible deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, which would send Andre Iguodala to the Golden State.

But as ESPN’s Chris Broussard has already stated, the Bulls and Warriors have had talks about a possible deal at some point this summer. While that doesn’t mean much, given the fact that the Bulls may have simply inquired as to Ellis’ availability, it shows that the Bulls are serious about upgrading their lineup at the two-guard.

It’s pretty clear that the Bulls need a second scoring threat to pair with Derrick Rose. Boozer was a let down and Luol Deng isn’t a strong scoring presence. If the Bulls do upgrade their roster and find that scoring threat, it’s most likely going to be at shooting guard.

The 2010-11 season was the first season in which Ellis played 80 or more games, after playing just 89 combined the previous two seasons. He finished the season with just a touch over 24 points per game, to go along with the almost six dimes per.

Now if the Bulls are somehow able to pull off a deal for the 6′ 3″ shooting guard, it wouldn’t likely be a one-for-one swap with Boozer, as nice as that would be for the Bulls. Picks and role players could be involved in such a deal as well.

If the Bulls do deal for Ellis, the lineup would include he and Rose in the backcourt, Deng and Noah in their regular starting roles, and Taj Gibson likely moving into Boozer’s role, provided none of them get dealt as well.

At the end of the day, how likely is this trade to actually happen? Not very. The Warriors have been pretty adamant about not trading Ellis, and while honesty in regard to something like that is something rare in today’s sports world, the Bulls would likely have to give up a lot more than Boozer to get Ellis, and that’s something that Gar Forman and co. seem unlikely to do.

This Bulls squad isn’t in need of a facelift, it simply needs some tweaks. If they are able to unload Boozer for a two-guard anywhere near Ellis’ caliber, which would move Gibson in the starting role he has appeared to earn, then it would be the right deal. But until the right deal comes along for both sides, which would require the Bulls to move the minimum amount of players on their current roster, while also upgrading at the two, I doubt that make a Ellis-caliber splash.

I understand this is a brash statement early in the season and the NBA is full of players who are contending for the award, but by the time the trophy has been molded to shape and the name plate inscripted, Rose will clarify himself as the best player in the league.

Rose led the Bulls to a 9-6 record in the first 15 games of the season and was on top of each box score in everything but rebounds and blocks, although he has those on his season stat board as well. Since then, Chicago is the third best team in the Eastern Conference with a 16-9 record, including a seven game win streak.

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Unlike Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics, Rose is ranked in the top 10 of the league’s assist men without having a team full of future hall of famers or pinpoint shooters. Rose isn’t working with historical 3-point shooter Ray Allen or Paul Pierce, who is one of the most physical offensive threats in the NBA, but with a roster full of defensive-minded players. Kyle Korver is the only true shooter the Bulls have and he doesn’t get more than 23 minutes per game because he doesn’t play defense coach Tom Thibodeau’s way.

Though Carlos Boozer is now back from injury and playing well, when the Bulls are running the court Rose has to either hope someone is under the basket or take it himself, because a spot shooter is not an option.

Rose is averaging 25 points a game which was fourth-highest in the league, but the efforts of the Dallas Maverick’s Dirk Nowitzki and the Golden State Warrior’s Manta Ellis have slid him to sixth. Ellis is doing nothing but scoring while his team is the third worst in the Western Conference with a 8-19 record. On the other hand, Nowitzki has been playing around the similar level of play he was when he won the MVP for the 2006-07 season.

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Chicago defeated the Mavericks 88-83 Nov. 19 even with Dirk scoring 36 points and beat the Warriors handily12-90 Nov. 11.

The other three ahead of him–Kobe Bryant, Amare Stoudemire and Kevin Durant–are all realistic MVP candidates and most likely on the watch list ahead of Rose. But Kobe will slow down as the season goes on similar to last year, Stoudemire’s defensive weakness will haunt him and Durant doesn’t do much more than shoot the ball and grab a few rebounds.

Against the Lakers Dec. 10, Rose out shined everyone under the LA sun including the king of all NBA stars, Kobe Bryant as Rose went for 29 points and nine assists while Bryant had 23 and seven. There isn’t much of a difference, but the extra six points Rose scored compared to Kobe gave the Bulls a 88-84 victory.

Every layup Rose attempted, whether it went through the twine or bounced off the rim could have made any highlight reel because of the show of talent and beauty each one of them possessed.

Rose is scoring high, assisting high and leading a team everyone wrote off or gave a small chance to be successful this season. If a game is tied in the late stages or a buzzer beater needs to be hit to win in overtime–see the Houston Rockets game Dec. 4–Rose steps up and gets the W.

The New York Knicks are in sixth place but would be out of the playoffs without Stoudemire, while the Oklahoma City Thunder are coasting only because of Durant.

Without Rose, the Bulls would be in the basement of the NBA and no one would be talking about them doing anything except firing one coach and hiring another.

Although the Thunder are in fifth place in the Western Conference with a 19-9 record, they fell to the Bulls December 6.

Rose and the Bulls are almost unbeatable at the United Center (10-3), which isn’t even the arena Rose has shined in the most. During the seven-games-in-11-days west coast road trip in mid-November, he played in six games and had 30 or more points in five of them.

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Since then he has continued to attack opposing defenses with the same tenacity, which has given him consistent numbers the entire season. The Los Angeles Clippers may have defeated the Bulls 100-99 Saturday, but it wasn’t due to lack of effort from Rose, who understands everyone has to step up their game since Joakim Noah is out of the lineup for 8-to-10 weeks to recover from a surgery he had to repair torn ligaments in his right thumb.

Without the big man in the middle, Rose realized he had to take the hoop to the basket more to get open looks for others or to simply bring the defense inside to give the outside some breathing room. He had game highs with 34 points and eight assists while also grabbing six rebounds.

I could write all-day about Rose’s great play and how he deserves more recognition then he receives around the league but I think it can all be summed up by stating…The All-Star who is soon to be labeled a superstar is putting up top NBA numbers and making his team, full of marginal role players, put up better numbers while earning victories against other MVP candidates.

This makes him a top MVP vote getter in my book.

Other than that, nothing too exciting except I did well on my NBA picks, almost undefeated if it wasn’t for Granger.

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Here is my personal cheerleader, well…

SATURDAY’S PICKS (8-1)

Chicago Bulls beat Washington Wizards 103-96…Right, the Bulls were just too big and Rose won the one-on-one match up against John Wall.

Orlando Magic beat New Jersey Nets 91-90…Right, but barely, whats going on with the Magic, they’re playing bad basketball compared to what they’re capable of.

Utah Jazz beat Charlotte Bobcats 96-95…Right, again barely, what is going on with the Jazz as well?

Indiana Pacers beat Cleveland Cavaliers 99-85…Wrong, the Cavs play well at times then are horrible the next, Indiana is showing they could be moving from the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

Miami Heat beat Toronto Raptors 109-100…Right, thought it’d be a bigger win, but it’s still a W.

New Orleans Hornets beat Portland Trailblazers 107-87…Right, Portland is stumbling, while the Hornets continue to sting.

Boston Celtics beat Memphis Grizzlies 116-110 in overtime…Right, Great game, Memphis is doing good things with their young lineup.

Milwaukee Bucks beat Golden State Warriors 79-72…Right, Warriors are falling apart, already.

San Antonio Spurs beat Philadelphia 76ers 116-93…Right…Tim Duncan and company are going to be a hard team to play with if they can stay healthy.

SUNDAY’S GAMES AND PICKS

The Atlanta Hawks and the Minnesota Timberwolves already played, so I won’t count this one. Atlanta won 111-105.

Detroit Pistons at Sacramento Kings…Pistons, they’re putting together a nice little string of wins and they have more experienced players.

San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder…Spurs, the Thunder can’t defend in the paint, which is where the Spurs dominate.

Houston Rockets at New York Knicks…Rockets, just not impressed with the Knicks, or the Rockets for that matter, but should win this one.

Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers…Lakers, they’re too big and dominant inside and can run with the Suns if they need to.

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Luol Deng led the way with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds, as all five starters scored in double-digits and had at least one steal and block. In general, the Bulls bone stomped the Warriors in every aspect of the game.

In other games around the NBA on Thursday, the Boston Celtics manhandled the Miami Heat once again. The final score was 112-107, but it only became close in the late minutes with a Heat run, but other than that, the Celtics owned the Heat from the time the ball was jumped. Boston’s Ray Allen scored 35 points including his gift to hit seven three-pointers , while Rajon Rondo dished out 16 assists as he continues to lead the league in assists per game with 14.9.

Boston’s record doesn’t matter, but the Heat who put together a superstar threesome in Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh fell to 5-4 to have all my co-workers, Facebook pals and other bloggers laughing at Miami.

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The good thing is, I picked the Celtics to win because I remembered how they dominated the Heat in the paint and there is no one on the Miami roster who can contain Rondo from setting up everyone on his team.

Also, the New Orleans Hornets are the only undefeated team in the NBA as the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Denver Nuggets 118-112. Carmelo Anthony continues to dominate against any defensive player or team he wishes as he scored 32 points to led his team. Kobe Bryant also did his thing, scoring 34 points in the defeat.

Let’s see how my NBA picks worked out for Thursday and set some for Friday.

THURSDAY’S PICKS

Chicago Bulls beat Golden State Warriors 120-90…Right, the Bulls played almost a flawless game.

Boston Celtics beat Miami Heat 112-107…Right, the Heat have no answers for the Boston Celtics.

Denver Nuggets beat Los Angeles Lakers 118-112…Wrong, the Nuggets had been struggling while the Lakers were undefeated, but Melo showed he can tear up any defense.

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FRIDAY’S GAMES AND PICKS

Utah Jazz at Atlanta Hawks…Jazz, Deron Williams and Al Jefferson are becoming an unstoppable duo while the Hawks have fallen from their high level of play.

Houston Rockets at Indiana Pacers…Rockets, they have more skill.

Toronto Raptors at Orlando Magic…Magic, the Raptors are awful while the Magic have been playing above average, not great but good.

Charlotte Bobcats at Washington Wizards…Wizards, John Wall is making a statement.

New York Knicks at Minnesota Timberwolves…Knicks, Amare Stoudemire should get the win by himself, but they do have to D up Kevin Love.

Philadelphia 76ers at  Dallas Mavericks…Mavericks, the 76ers put up points, but Mavericks put up more.

Sacramento Kings at Phoenix Suns…Suns, although they’re a team on the decline, the Phoenix back court is still extremely talented with Steve Nash and Jason Richardson.

Portland Trailblazers at Oklahoma City Thunder…Blazers, LaMarcus Aldridge will have a field day offensively while Marcus Camby will control the glass.

Detroit Pistons at Los Angeles Clippers…Pistons, game of two lackluster teams, but the Pistons are healthy while the Clippers are banged up with Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman and Randy Foye all suffering from injuries.

MAKE YOUR PICKS

1) COMMENT BOX

2) EMAIL:  BRANDON.LACHANCE@BULLSHOME.COM

Deng was zombie-like on the court producing minimal with body language asking “what should I do” ?

In the last three to four games he has been playing as if he wants to be part of this team by producing big numbers and coming to the court with some energy letting Bulls fans know he still knows how to play basketball. For a week, I thought he forgot.

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The main reason for the trade to Philadelphia would be to acquire Melo, and I’m still an advocate for this because he is better than Deng and Iguodala put together.

Other than getting Melo, Deng should probably stay with the Bulls instead of getting Iguodala. The reason I thought he should have been traded in the first place was because he wasn’t doing anything as he only scored 13 points, got two rebounds and turned the ball over four times in the season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder Oct. 27.

Three days later, the Bulls found themselves down by 21-points to the Detroit Pistons and made a dramatic comeback to win by 10 points, 101-91. Deng was on the bench in the fourth quarter of the comeback because he was a miserable 2-for-10 from the field for nine points and two rebounds in 26 minutes.

Without Carlos Boozer, who broke his hand in the preseason, Deng is the Bulls second option after Derrick Rose. In these first couple of games, he disappeared and was the fourth or fifth option behind Rose, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and sometimes Kyle Korver off of the bench.

If that is how he was going to play, then yeah, he needed to be dealt.

Then came the Deng resurgence.

Nov. 1 he dropped 40 points off 14-of-19 shooting from the field against the Portland Trailblazers. Nov. 4 he helped Derrick Rose run fast breaks and added 17 points off of 3-of-4 shooting from the three-point line. The next day Chicago lost to Boston in overtime, but Deng scored 20 points, had six boards and a few assists on well placed passes to Noah in the paint.

Monday, the Bulls defeated the Nuggets behind an overall great team effort which was led by Deng’s 17 points. Thursday, the Bulls stomped the Golden State Warriors 120-90, who were led yet again by Deng who put up his first double-double of the season with 26 points and 11 rebounds and added six assists.

The Bulls have played seven games and Deng has been brilliant in three, solid in two and awful in two. If his game production was a win/loss record, it would look 5-2. Unless you’re Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James or Anthony, who play their A game 75 plus games a year, 5-2 should hold some merit.

Deng has stepped into his scoring role on the team helping the Bulls to a 4-3 record while Iguodala hasn’t been doing much for the 76ers as they look awful with a 2-6 record.

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Iggy has sat out the 76ers last two games with Achilles tendinitis in his right foot, so, the injury factor is already thrown in the mix of why the trade may not work. Even without injury, Deng is playing way better basketball as Iguodala has played with the “I don’t want to be here” mentality every one of his six games. The Bulls have a team full of strong character guys who don’t let little complications affect their basketball, it seems Iguodala is on a different page.

In his last game Nov. 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Iguodala only scored seven points and had four assists. His two efforts before the Cavalier game were 11 and 12 points with little to no effort on defense, helping his team score or grabbing rebounds.

He has had one good game, which was Oct. 29 in a 104-101 losing effort to the Atlanta Hawks when he had a double-double with 27 points and 10 assists, while also grabbing six boards.

With all the stats present, Deng is having a much better season offensively and defensively, which to be a Bull, players have to play both sides of the ball.

Deng’s play has transformed my first opinion of trading him to keeping him and let him remain the longest tenured Bulls player.

Everything was one fluent motion from offense to defense as the Bulls ran the court from rebound to pass to bucket; it was a thing of beauty for a Bulls fan.

Early in the first quarter, the game was tied 8-8 until the Bulls went on an eight point run and the Warriors could never catch up as the Bulls led the rest of the game.

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The Bulls defense showed how it can shut down opponents while the offense showed what kind of numbers it could put up if everyone produces and plays clean basketball.

Chicago recorded a season low 12 turnovers while causing Golden State to give the ball up 19 times as each member of the Bulls starting lineup had at least one block and steal on the box score. Keith Bogans, who I’ve been rather negative about, stole the ball from the Warriors six times and added five rebounds and a block while only turning the ball over once.

Luol Deng who has been on point since his 40 point showing against the Portland Trailblazers, pulled his first double-double of the season with a game high 26 points and a game high 11 rebounds. Maybe, the Bulls should keep him, but this is for another blog…tune in tomorrow.

Each of the Bulls starting lineup also scored in double-digits, yes, even Bogans. Deng was followed by Derrick Rose who had a double-double with 22 points and 13 assists, Joakim Noah had 17 points and Taj Gibson and Bogans both finished with 14 points.

The only disappointing aspect of the game was Noah didn’t have a double-double for the first time this season. He is the current double-double leader in the NBA and it would have been cool to see how long he could carry it. I guess six games is the answer.

Golden State helped out the Bulls by hacking as they sent the Bulls to the free-throw line 23 times, while they only went to the charity stripe seven times.

In general, the Bulls just beat the Warriors by pushing the ball up the court as soon as they got a loose ball or rebound and pressured the Warrior’s scorers to take contested shots.

The Pacers tore it up, but unfortunately, I thought the game would go the other way for the Nuggets because no one would ever think the Pacers would shoot as good as they did. Mike Dunleavy had 24 points in the third quarter alone and finished with 31 points for the night.

Lets see how the rest of the night went around the League.

TUESDAY’S PICKS (4-3)

Indiana Pacers beat Denver Nuggets 144-113…Wrong, Nuggets could match the firepower of Indiana.

Cleveland Cavaliers beat New Jersey Nets 93-91…Right, Cavs are not a good team, but they’re one of the best of the bad teams.

Utah Jazz beat Miami Heat 116-114 in overtime…Wrong, Paul Millsap put up the most points in the NBA Tuesday with 46 because the Heat don’t have an inside defensive stopper.

New Orleans Hornets beat Los Angeles Clippers 101-82…Right, Hornets are 7-0 for the season and have beaten the Clippers 14 consecutive times.

Milwaukee Bucks beat New York Knicks 107-80…Wrong, Sorry I underestimated the Bucks, they put it on the Knicks, who have been shooting the ball well.

Portland Trailblazers beat Detroit Pistons 100-78…Right, Detroit simply over matched.

Los Angeles Lakers beat Minnesota Timberwolves 99-94…Right, the Lakers played some of their worst ball of the season and still won to either show the strength of the Lakers or how bad the Timberwolves are. LA is undefeated at 8-0.

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WEDNESDAY GAMES AND PICKS

Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks…Hawks, although the Bucks played well Tuesday, they played the no defense Knicks, the Hawks are on a way higher level.

Utah Jazz at Orlando Magic…Magic, Paul Millsap isn’t going to score 46 points against Dwight Howard and the Magic defense.

Houston Rockets at Washington Wizards…Rockets, Houston has a better lineup and is playing better ball.

Charlotte Bobcats at Toronto Raptors…Raptors, game could go either way, but Toronto has been playing a little better as of late.

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New Jersey Nets at Cleveland Cavaliers…Cavs, they beat the Nets in New Jersey on Tuesday, no reason they can’t beat them at home.

Golden State Warriors at New York Knicks…Warriors, if the Knicks played like they did Tuesday, anyone can beat them.

Philadelphia 76ers at Oklahoma City Thunder…Thunder, the 76ers don’t have the scoring punch or inside defense to hang with the Thunder.

Dallas Mavericks at Memphis Grizzlies…Mavericks, the Grizzlies won the first meeting, I think Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki want to prove it was a fluke.

Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs…Spurs, they’re who we thought they were, a talented team with veteran leadership.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Sacramento Kings…Kings, they’re a solid team while the Timberwolves are struggling horribly.

MAKE YOUR PICKS

1) In the comment box

2) Send an email to brandon.lachance@bullshome.com

Today’s games should go a little smoother, well, lets hope.

SUNDAY PICKS

Phoenix Suns beat Atlanta Hawks 118-114…Wrong, Joe Johnson scored 34 points and the Hawks still lost, Phoenix must have been on all cylinders.

Detroit Pistons beat Golden State Warriors 102-97…Wrong, I don’t understand how the Pistons win games.

Houston Rockets beat Minnesota Timberwolves 120-94…Right, Minnesota is garbage

Boston Celtics beat Oklahoma City Thunder 92-83…Right, OKC can not play with big physical teams.

Los Angeles Lakers beat Portland Trailblazers 121-96…Wrong, went for the upset and Pau Gasol goes off for a trippe-double.

MONDAY’S GAMES AND PICKS

Denver Nuggets at Chicago Bulls…Bulls, Denver is playing a real small lineup, the front court of the Bulls should dominate the glass, resulting in a win.

Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic…Hawks, although they lost yesterday, they played tough. This will be a good game.

Golden State Warriors at Toronto Raptors…Warriors, they’ve been having a tough time lately against teams who have scoring talent because they don’t have defense, but the Raptors can’t score.

San Antonio Spurs at Charlotte Bobcats…Spurs, TOO good.

Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies…Suns, Steve Nash and Jason Richardson are playing out of their minds lately.

Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks…Boston, they’re on a roll and are too good defensively for the Mavericks.

I’m disappointed in the Bulls, favorite team, and the Blazers, one of my two bandwagon teams, couldn’t help me out. If they can’t who can, I guess Friday’s games will tell.

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Thursday Results (0-2)

New York Knicks beat Chicago Bulls 120-112…Wrong, the Knicks shot the lights out of the United Center and the Bulls defense didn’t do anything.

Oklahoma City Thunder beat Portland Trailblazers 107-106 in overtime…Wrong, Durant and Westbrook took it to them.

Friday’s Picks

Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics…Bulls, they have to play defense the entire game, if they do, they can beat the Celtics.

Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers…Bucks, Milwaukee is a complete team with better individual skill.

New Jersey Nets at Orlando Magic…Magic, too big, too talented, too better in every aspect.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers…Cavaliers, 76ers played well last game, but there are too many distractions with Andre Iguodala trade talk and coach Doug Collins has been bothered with illness.

Charlotte Bobcats at Detroit Pistons…Bobcats, two bad teams, Charlotte is better.

Washington Wizards at New York Knicks…Knicks, if they shoot anything similar to yesterday, they destroy the Wizards.

Miami Heat at New Orleans Hornets…Heat, Chris Paul will play well in an audition for the team, but Heat will kill them.

Atlanta Hawks at Minnesota Timberwolves…Hawks, Minnesota is terrible.

Memphis Grizzlies at Phoenix Suns…Suns, although they’re on the decline, they’re still better than the Grizzlies.

Los Angeles Clippers at Denver Nuggets…Nuggets, after the loss to San Antonio they want redemption.

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Utah Jazz at Golden State Warriors…Jazz, Deron Williams and Al Jefferson are starting to come alive.

Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers…Lakers, same old story, too good for team with minimal talent.

Anyway, It is 7 p.m. and Wednesday’s games have already started. I wasn’t able to get my picks out due to a migraine headache gracing me around lunch time and sticking by my side until somewhere around 6 p.m. I’m going to make my picks without looking at what is going on now. I promise I haven’t looked, it you don’t believe me, that is your problem.

Tuesday’s Picks

Atlanta Hawks beat Cleveland Cavaliers 100-88–Right, Hawks had too much in their favor.

Washington Wizards beat Philadelphia 76ers 116-115 in overtime–Right, Wall led the league in scoring Tuesday with 29 points to earn his first NBA victory.

Boston Celtics beat Detroit Pistons 109-86–Right, Boston is a team, Detroit has players.

Miami Heat beat Minnesota Timberwolves 129-97–Right, this game was over in July.

Portland Trailblazers beat Milwaukee Bucks 90-76–Right, I love it when teams we beat, win against other teams in the central division.

Los Angeles Lakers beat Memphis Grizzlies 124-105–Right, everyone had this game right.

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Wednesday’s Picks

Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks–Hawks

Charlotte Bobcats at New Jersey Nets–Bobcats

Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic–Magic

Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers–Pacers

Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics–Celtics

New Orleans Hornets at Houston Rockets–Hornets

Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets–Nuggets

Toronto Raptors at Utah Jazz–Jazz

San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns–Spurs

Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors–Warriors

Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers–Thunder

Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento Kings–Lakers