NFL Daily Presents: Week 12 Picks ATS- The Rest

Three for three on Turkey Day, let's keep it up on Sunday.

-The Rams have been gaining steam as of late, but Seattle seems to be coming into its own after a good win over Chicago. Mike Holmgren will have his team prepared to bottle up the pass, and the emergence of Mo Morris will continue and the Seahawks will cover the 3.
-The running games will be key at the Meadowlands. Chester Taylor has to succeed for Minnesota to have any chance, and Brandon Jacobs excelling will mean that Eli Manning can go deep on the playaction where he's at his best. Both defenses are solid againt the run but weak against the past, so the battle of the trenches will decide the contest. Give the edge to the Giants.
-Without Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo doesn't stand that much of a chance against a Jacksonville defense that could feast on a one dimentional offense. The Bills will have to come up big against Taylor and Jones-Drew and win the battles on special teams. If David Garrard takes care of the ball, there seems to be too many hurdles for the Bills to jump in order to win this game.
-This is a huge game for Washington on the road in Tampa, as they try to take advantage of a Detroit loss and get in this Wild Card race. The Bucs could create some separation in the NFC South, so the stakes are pretty high. The running games are huge here, and it may come down to which QB makes the least amount of mistakes. That's where the experienced Jeff Garcia could have the edge over Jason Campbell. That being said, I'm going to take the Redskins in the upset.
-The Browns are coming off their win over Baltimore, but can't take Houston's offense lightly by any stretch the imagination. That Schaub-Johnson connection is lethal over the top, but Romeo Crennel will have his defense ready to go. This may be closer than you might think; the Texans defense silenced the Saints last week led by Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye. I'll still give the Browns the win.
-The Bengals can't get out of their own way, and Jeff Fisher will have his defense ready after getting torched by the Broncos. LenDale White will have a big day, and the Titans will run away if Vince Young cuts down on the mistakes.
-Even without LJ and Priest, the struggling Raiders have no prayer against the Chiefs. Look for a big game from Dwayne Bowe as KC gets a big win.
-The Niners are a dead team walking, and the Cards will run all over them at home.
-The Ravens need to come back from a win that they think was taken from that, and LT will take advantage of a struggling team and San Diego will pick up a much needed victory over sinking Baltimore.
-Denver's another team riding high, and I can see Jay Cutler absoultely shredding the Bears defense en route to the win. The corners will lock the top Chicago wideouts up and Cedric Benson will remain a nonfactor.
-Pats against a McNabb-less Eagles? Belichik is already dreaming of pissing everyone off by running the score up. They'll cover the 20, perhaps twice.
-Pittsburgh's really good, Miami's really bad. ESPN will wish they had a flex package.
Enjoy football!

Around The Majors- Friday

It's a dark day on Black Friday in the baseball world. Jerry Crasnick reports that free agent pitcher Joe Kennedy has passed away today from undetermined causes at age 28. He played for Arizona, Toronto, and Oakland last season. This death opens up almost endless speculation on what caused this sudden and saddening death. This may be disrespectful to Kennedy, but the steroids question has to enter my mind. The sudden death of a journeyman possibly looking to obtain an edge? Putting two and two together has to be done during these times of the impending Mitchell report that hangs like a dark cloud before a storm over the Major League world. In a seprate Crasnick article, he wonders whether Mitchell's report will have an impact on this year's free agent market. The early answers remain mixed. The Indians exercized the option of Paul Byrd, despite the reports that he bought HGH and could face possible discipline. The Kansas City Star reports that the Royals are still interested in Jose Guillen even though there are reports that he bought steroids and may have been invited for a little chit-chat with Bud Selig on Park Avenue. Even in the face of positive tests, the Mets signed Guillermo Mota a year ago (he was recently dealt to Milwaukee) and Padres GM Kevin Towers makes no secret of his desire to resign Mike Cameron despite his recent positive test that will keep him sidelined for the first 25 games of the 2008 campaign. On the other side of the coin, there have been whispers that Alex Rodriguez agreed to a contract so quickly because he knew that he would be named in Mitchell's report and went for the quick bucks. But the facts are few and far between in this sea of speculation, and with time hopefully will come answers. But the answers may bring even more questions and doubts to the forefront, engrossing the baseball univerese in an irreversible cycle of rumors and accusations that have engulfed us in this Steroids Era.

-Sources have told Ken Rosenthal that the Reds are in serious talks with free agent closer Francisco Cordero. Sources also say that the Brewers have offered Cordero a 4 year, 42 million dollar contract to stay a Brewer.
-SI's Jon Heyman reports that the Twins have offered Johan Santana a 4 year extension worth 80 million, which is a huge gap from what he's looking for. Many say that Santana is looking for Barry Zito money, 7 years at 126 million. This increases the likelihood that he could get dealt at the Winter Meetings in 2 weeks.
-The Marlins may play a series or two in San Juan this season, possibly a late July series against the Mets.
-The LA Times can't help but wonder if the Angels' next move is a trade for Miguel Cabrera or Miguel Tejada. The Miami Herald reports that the Angels are the favorites to land Cabrera, and that the signing of Torii Hunter allows Los Angeles to send Reggie Willits off to Florida. The Marlins would also get at least catching prospect Jeff Mathis, Howie Kendrick, and one of Ervin Santana, Jered Weaver, or Joe Saunders. The major argument hinges on super top pitching prospect Nick Adenhart. The LA Times also reports that the Angels could be interested in bringing back David Eckstein.
-A possible emerging trade has the Twins sending Matt Garza to the Dodgers for Matt Kemp, says the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The Twins are also interested in Kenny Lofton and Corey Patterson.
-The White Sox could be working a deal for Coco Crisp, says the Chicago Sun-Times. Crisp could go to the Rangers, according to the Dallas Morning News.
-The Braves will definitely not resign Andruw Jones, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
-The Royals are interested in Carlos Silva and Hiroki Kuroda, says the KC Star.

NFL Daily Presents: Analytical Assault Week 11

No discussion is needed for this blog, it's good! No Kitnaesque excuses and no looking forward to next week, Black & Gold bleeders. From the Pats to the Phins and everywhere in between, this is the pre-holiday assault will give you what you need so you won't have to go shopping for the best football blog. It's all here right now.

-More menstrual than Hillary? Maybe Bobby Petrino is looking at a mirror and asking himself why all the analysts are making fun of him, is it because he's winning? Well clearly not, idiot it's because you yanked Joey Harrington after winning two straight games you started Byron Leftwich who was terrible! The killer combination of Harrington and Leftwich threw it 48 times to 19 runs. Not a very good ratio for a team with crazy bad QB play. What the Bucs did was pound it with the run, and then hit the big pass play with Joey Galloway and cruised to victory. Tampa has an easy road to the division title if everyone else have their heads up their derrieres.
-Rumor has it that after the game, Chad Johnson was seen cursing at himself and wondered why Antrel Rolle had better receiving stats than him. I think Carson Palmer may have found himself a new favorite target. Wait...breaking news into the SOS studios, Rolle is on the Cardinals? What? Did Palmer know this before Rolle put up 3 picks for 127 yards and 2 TD's? Chad Johnson had 86 yards and no scores. Palmer may have a golden arm, but you're asking him to throw it 52 times. Arizona not only got big plays on defense, they had excellent pass:run balance and FitzBoldin had another great day leading the Cards to a big win over smelly Cincinnati.
-Coversation between Jon Kitna and God:
"Oh please God, why did I have to make bad decisions late in the game?"
"Because Jon, I'm not really down with the fact that people are calling Detroit God's Team. And I can't help you if you never run the ball. I have to take some time off from football to address the situation in Pakistan. Have you noticed how bad Notre Dame is doing? And don't give me that win over Duke garbage. Hello, Blue DEVILS. Some things have to be put in order. So lay off the excuses, Jon and don't throw a jump ball deep to someone if he's short. Christ out."
"But wait God, why did the Giants do so well on offense? I prayed hard that our defense would put out a strong effort?"
"Well pray harder, Jon. Eli and his coordinator know and practice the great virtue of run:pass balance. Do you know how well they accomplished that?"
"I thought you would know."
"Silence, Kitna! I was testing you, it's not like I'm asking you to slaughter your own son. New York threw it 28 times and ran 27, and they were able to rush you well. Next time, pray for your line to give you time or Michael Strahan will sack you yet again."
"But isn't he a homosexual?"
"Silence, I punished him enough with his teeth gap. Run along now, and ask Martz to call more runs."
-After they left their canes and walkers on the sidelines, Brett Favre and Vinny Testaverde did battle. A few seconds later, Carolina had no chance. A big punt return set the tone, and Favre virtually ended the game before halftime with two TD strikes. By no means did the Panthers play a really bad game, but Green Bay was on another level on Sunday. Both running games were effective, but special teams and QB play made this an easy win for the Cheeseheads.
-The Colts are battered and bruised, but they were able to get it done against the Chiefs. This game was played really evenly and it was good for Indy to get the win with so many people missing. No player had a particluarly good game, and the Colts will have to raise their level of play to lock up an AFC South title. The Chiefs need a QB and now they require a backup RB with the Holmes injury.
-Chester took some vitamin AP and grabbed a win for the Vikings against the helpless Raiders. Tarvaris Jackson had his best game yet, but Daunte Culpepper really impressed me. Minnesota was able to bottle up the Oakland rushing attack, but were able to stay in it with some big passing plays to Ronald Curry. What's really sad is that the Vikings turned it over 5 times and still one. The Raiders have a long way to go, and capitalization is vital to a team's success in this league.
-If Miami had any offense at all against the Eagles, they would've claimed their first win, because their defense and special teams are improving. John Beck showed that rookie rust, and was pathtically putrid. After McNabb was atrocious and got injured, AJ Feely came in and played rather well, but Brian Westbrook was the real star. He gained almost as many yards as the entire Miami offense and will have to almost singlehandedly keep Philly in the playoff race. The dream is still alive for the Dolphins, if you dream of utter chaos and failure.
-Norv is a huge loser! Phil Rivers is not a good quarterback! He threw 42 times, LT rushed 16 times, and they lost for some reason. Garrard managed the game well, and Fred Taylor's still got it. Jacksonville didn't turn it over and went to an under the radar 7-3. The Bolts are an overrated 5-5.
-In one of the oddest games ever, "the field goal that wasn't good but really was which was then not reviewed but reviewed and then called good" Cleveland benefited from the RIGHT call and saved their season. The Ravens had their usual 4 turnovers, but they were able to make a really strong fourth quarter comeback led by the defense and Willis McGahee. Anderson and Lewis played well, but Cleveland's talent and a defensive TD prevailed. And the Browns need to get Cribbs the ball more, he could take it to the house every time he touches the ball.
-I can't solve the Saints. They're an enigma, and not in a good way. Mario Williams played better than Reggie Bush did, and the Schaub-Johnson connection can be lethal when both are healthy. Drew Brees' hot streak finally ran out, and the Texans did a good job of tackling and preserved the win. Colston and Bush can catch it well, but they can't beat a good team like Houston playing one dimensionally.
-The Steelers were caught looking ahead, and Eric Mangini had the Jets perfectly prepared for the Steelers, beating Pittsburgh at their own game: dominating the line of scrimmage and getting to the opposing QB with a trick play mixed in. Kellen Clemens didn't have stellar stats, but he took them down the field when they needed it, and Thomas Jones finally had a breakout game. Big Ben and Willie Parker were held in check and the Jets earned this win.
-The Redskins were very close to pulling the upset in Dallas. They stopped the run and made the Cowboys safeties get into coverage, but their injuries in their secondary were exposed over the course of the game, and Terrell Owens exposed the Skins defense, and ripped them apart. Jason Campbell had a very good game, but Tony Romo was that much better, but Washington made it tough.
-The 49ers are atrocious and the Rams are not much better. And the coaching can be blamed for Trent Dilfer throwing it 42 times and Frank Gore only rushed it 15 times. Steven Jackson played very well, and the Rams happened to be not as bad as Frisco was.
-Just when you thought the Bears were turning the corner early, but the Seahawks had life breathed into them by Mo Morris and Matt Hasselbeck played very well in the win. Hackett and Engram had good performances which offset a good day by the Chicago receivers. The Seahawks could lay a claim to the 3rd best team in the NFC.
-The Patriots are one of the best teams I've ever seen. Randy Moss was able to impose his will on the Buffalo team, who couldn't do anything on offense without Marshawn Lynch. Belichik dared Buffalo to stop them and they couldn't. That's not running up the score, that's sending a message. New England won't be calling off the dogs and they won't stop playing their hardest until the Lombardi Trophy rests in their arms.
-Tennessee's defense was torched to the tune of four TD's of 40 plus yards, and Jay Cutler proved that he's far superior than Vince Young, and Selvin Young and the Broncos cruised to victory. Denver was pumped for the MNF game and for the opportunity to stake their claim as the top dogs in their division. They showed it in the first quarter and never looked back for the win.

Around The Majors- Hot Stove Monday

News and rumors as the day goes by, it starts right now.

8:30am EST
-Tom Glavine has agreed to a 1 year, 8 million dollar contract with the Braves. This fills a hole in the rotation, and gives Atlanta a proven 3rd starter after Smoltz and Hudson.
-Mariano Rivera will soon take the Yankees' 3 year, 45 million dollar offer.
-Mike Lowell will likely take Boston's 3 year contract offer to remain a Red Sock.
-As reported first last night on SprungOnSports2, the Mets and Luis Castillo have agreed on a 4 year contract worth 25 million dollars to play 2nd base. Several teams including Houston and San Diego coveted Castillo, and their focus will now likely turn to David Eckstein, who the Mets courted last week.
-Alex Rodriguez will collect the AL MVP Award and sign his 10 year, 275 million dollar contract, according to the New York Post. That's a pretty good day. The Post also reports that the Mets could pursue Livan Hernandez or even David Wells.
-The Rangers are entertaining Torri Hunter according to the Dallas Morning News, and the Dodgers are close to the top of Hunter's list says the Riverside Press Enterprise.
-Mariano Rivera is trying to get an option year out of the Yankees, according to the New York Daily News.
-Toronto has interest in Matt Clement, says the Toronto Sun.
-Fox Sports reported last week that Japanese reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta had signed with the Royals, but the Chicago Tribune says that Yabuta has listed the Royals, White Sox, Pirates, Rays, and Indians among his finalists.

NFL Daily Presents: Week 11 Picks ATS

We'll start off strong with Chris Mortensen of ESPN and will have some Jags-Bolts talk with Matt Mosley. It's never early to talk about next season especially if you bleed teal, so let's talk about some potential coaching candidates for next season with Chris Mortensen:
"It's early and even difficult to tell whether there will be many (if any) coaching changes. Cowher is an obvious one, as is Marty Schottenheimer. I don't think Jason Garrett is going anywhere. Jim Mora Jr. could get another shot. Jags defensive coordinator Mike Smith and Miss. State coach Sylvester Croom - who was a very good NFL assistant for 17 years - may get a look, too. That's just off the top of my head."
Don't forget Mike Martz, but now let's get to the games.

-Who would have thought that the Browns would be road favorites in Baltimore, but the Ravens have been funkier than the bathroom after Thanksgiving dinner. I'll look for Cleveland to have another good first half to take the lead, but not blow it against an anemic Baltimore offense that's clumsier than your nosy mother-in-law who likes interfering with everything. Like your in-laws, it's a lose-lose for the Ravens. Cleveland by a healthy margin.
-The Chargers looked awful in their win over the Colts last week, and the Jaguars looked nice in a big win over Tennessee. Matt Mosley talks about the keys to this one:
"I think the Jaguars have spent a lot of time looking to see what the Vikings did against the Chargers. The Vikes are the most one-dimensional team in football, but Adrian Peterson still put up record numbers. I'm baffled by how poorly the Chargers offense is playing. Rivers has regressed even though Norv Turner has such a great reputation for working with quarterbacks. I think this offense will continue to be inconsistent, and that's an indictment of Turner."
Norv may have been indicted and blamed more often than a certain big-headed former SF Giant. But I think that the Jaguars will be able to run it well and control the clock, and ultimately the game against the Chargers.
-I think that the Dolphins will cover a 10 point spread in Philly. John Beck may be the QB, but it took a collapse by Washington for the Eagles to come away with a win, and I expect Miami to keep it close with a big day from Chatman. Phins cover!!
-Why have I liked the Raiders so much? I don't know, but I'm going with them in Daunte Culpepper's return to Minnesota, which has not garnered much publicity because both teams suck. But I think that 'Pepper will be motivated, and Da Raidaz will win over the AP-less Vikes.
-There has to be a reason why the Colts are favored by 2 TD's over a pretty good Chiefs team. Perhaps it's a combination of no Larry Johnson, and a QB desperate to shake off an embarrassing outing (and that QB isn't Brodie Croyle). So I'll go with Indy on this one, because they have to be favored by that much for a reason.
-The Panthers are in the official SOS Doghouse. And they're certainly not coming out of it this week against Favre and the Packers who will be able to control the run and force whatever helpless QB Carolina puts out there. Steve Smith will once again be frustrated, and the Panthers will be at Brett Favre's mercy, like your overweight aunt to mom's pumpkin pie. Green Bay by at least a dozen.
-If the Lions want to make a statement in the NFC, they have to at least give the run a chance or Jon Kitna will be on the ground like your alcoholic cousin who never knows his limits. I think that New York will get to Kitna often and Brandon Jacobs will do well enough for the Giatns to come out of Ford Field with the much needed victory.
-This is a trapper for the Bucs in Atlanta, but I think they'll barely squeeze out of it. Warrick Dunn is always amped against Tampa, but expect the Bucs to do just enough for the win plus the three.
-What New Orleans team will show up? Four straight wins, or the one who couldn't stop the Rams? Since I like Sean Payton, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and give this pick 'em game to the Brees-Colston connection and New Orleans. But expect a big day from Andre Johnson.
-The Bills' Obi Wan was Marshawn Lynch, and he's probably out for the Patriots game. So unless Brady pulls a Romo/Peyton on Sunday night, the Pats will take this one big, but It'll be close early.
-I like the way the Cardinals played last week against the Lions, and I'm enticed to take them at the Bengals and I will. Though they looked good against Baltimore last week, the Ravens are playing horrible football and I expect Arizona to take it in The Jungle.
-The Steelers are oozing with confidence, and I'll expect a classis Pittsburgh outing with lots of Willie Parker and lots of smiles in the end. PGH over NYJ big.
-I think the Rams are better than the Niners, and I don't even think it's close. That's a statement considering that St Louis was winless before last week. But Frisco has nothing, and the Rams will take the game and cause further insult to a once proud franchise.
-The Redskins are missing key members of their secondary including Sean Taylor, so expect Tony Romo and co to impose their will against Washington especially as the game goes by. Expect Clinton Portis to have a pretty good game, and expect the Skins to try to heave it over the top. But I expect Dallas to pull away late for a double digit win.
-Rexy returns! And so does the losing. Seattle will be up for this one in a playoffs rematch and expect the Seahawks to get the last laugh.
-Denver is never a good place to play at in a prime time game. Expect the Broncos' Selvin Young to be the star rather than former teammate Vince, and watch the Broncos get a big statement win over the Titans.

Around The Majors- Friday

Barry Bonds talk with ESPN Page 2's Jonah Keri, news, and rumors for yet another baseball day on SOS.

-So Bonds will probably never play Major League Baseball again. Is this where I sob or climb up high to my soap box? I actually feel pretty indifferent on the subject and am pleased to see Barry go away from the baseball scene for a while, or maybe not. I follow the independent Long Island Ducks, and they had John Rocker on their roster a few years ago, and Jose Canseco and Rickey Henderson played for the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League. So why not Barroids?

"I like the way you think." Keri said. Gotta love flattery, right?
"It's funny, when the Bonds news came down the pike, here were my two immediate reactions, in order:
1) Really? The government has nothing better to do but to charge a baseball player with perjury? Iraq's a disaster, Pakistan is on the verge of becoming a disaster, health care's got problems, the education system is a joke in many states, we're on the verge of a theocracy in this country, and Barry Bonds is their #1 priority?!
2) Too bad, Bonds would've been the best free agent bargain of the winter, by a mile. A's could've parlayed him into a run at the AL West title."
The government always loves high profile cases that they can get their noses into. When Congress hosted all those players for the steroids season, they were giddier than John Madden at a Brett Favre convention. Bonds and Billy Beane would have been perfect fits together, because love it or hate it Bonds is an optimal Moneyball player. Gets on base more than anyone in a while, hits jacks, and rarely ever strikes out. But that's all for naught now.
-Derek Jeter may owe millions in income taxes, so he's not perfect. Wait, so he's not God?
-Mariano Rivera still wants that 4th year, but this may end up like the A-Rod thing. Nobody may offer him a 4th year, and he'll come to the team that has the overwhelmingly best offer. That is once again New York.
-I don't agree with the Yankees offering Mike Lowell 4 years and 50-55 million to play first base. He's in his 30's and they would put him out of position, which would be insane considering Lowell is a superb defender at the hot corner. Once again, Boston seems sensible as they're offering 3 years and 35-45 million. My hope is that the Phillies get him, but they're likely to go after pitching.
-The Braves are closing in on making a contract offer to Tom Glavine. Glavine has said that he'd take less money than he got last year from the Mets to pitch in Atlanta. He'd join Smoltz, Hudson, James, and Jurrjens to make a nice rotation.
-The Red Sox are adding 900 seats to Fenway Park for next season, and $25 standing room tickets. Now not being able to stand baseball will only cost 25 bucks. A bargain.
-Aaron Rowand could go to the Dodgers, according to the Riverside Press Enterprise.
-Jake Peavy may take a hometown discount on a contract extension, says the San Diego Union-Tribune.
-Lowell could decide as soon as this weekend, according to the Boston Herald.
-The Tigers are interested in Livan Hernandez, according to the Detroit Free Press.
-The White Sox want to deal Joe Crede, says tha Daily Herald.
-The New York Post reports that Paul Lo Duca could go to Florida or Colorado.
- Arizona is interested in Bartolo Colon and Matt Clement, according to the Arizona Republic. The team will not deal Conor Jackson.
-The Marlins, Padres, and Rockies have interest in Michael Barrett. (Palm Beach Post)
-Milwaukee may sign Jason Kendall to be their Catcher. (Brewers.com)
-Kenny Rogers wants to stay with the Tigers. (Detroittigers.com)
-The New York Daily News reports that the Yankees and Jose Molina have agreed on a 2 year extension worth 4 million.
-The Mets have interest in Octavio Dotel. (New York Times)

N.B.A. Today

Last night's scores, the upcoming schedule, and the latest news will be right here sprinkled with analysis from lead SOS analyst Cameron Berns and ESPN basketball guru Chad Ford.

Scores & Analysis
Atlanta got a much needed win over Charlotte last night 117-109 behind 34 points and 10 assists from Joe Johnson. Wallace and Richardson each had 27 in the loss. Despite a triple double from LeBron James, Orlando continued its early season run with a 117-116 OT win over the Cavaliers. Dwight Howard had 35 and 16 in the win. The struggling Wizards got a much needed 103-90 win over Indiana as Gilbert Arenas scored 30 with 11 assists. The Pacers have dropped five in a row and are playing like everyone expected them to. Utah has won 5 in a row as they won in Toronto 92-88. Carlos Boozer had 23 points and 14 rebounds in the win, and Andrei Kirilenko had 8 points, 9 boards, 11 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks. That's what I like to call a Swiss Army game. The Celtics manhandled the Nets 91-69 to go to 7-0, but Berns is worried that the Celts stars would burn out come playoff time at the rate they're going:
"Boston is playing its stars too many minutes which could come back to haunt them aroud playoff time."
Dwayne Wade returned from injury, but the Heat lost to the Sonics 104-95 as Durant and Seattle got their first win of the year. I can definitely see Miami having an awful season, so I asked Chad Ford if the Heat would be big sellers come February:
"What do they have to sell? Dwyane Wade? That's the one guy they want to keep. Ricky Davis may have some value because he's in the last year of his deal. Ditto for Jason Williams. But they don't have a lot of coveted players to move."
The Hornets are 7-2, and ranked #2 this week in John Hollinger's power rankings? They beat the Sixers 95-76 and I asked Ford if New Orleans were really that good:
"They're good. They have a great point guard (Chris Paul) and Tyson Chandler is coming into his own (don't the Bulls wish they had him instead of Ben Wallace right now). They've been smart about building the team. David West is good. Mo Peterson looks like a good pickup. Peja has been up and down, but he's a good veteran leader. I think they're a playoff team for sure. Not sure they're the second best team in the West. But they look like that proverbial team no one would want to meet in the first round. Of course this is November. Ask me again in March."
Michael Redd hit a late jumper in Milwaukee's 102-99 home win over Memphis. Redd had 31 and Andrew Bogut had 23 and 12 in the victory. Minnesota got their first win 108-103 over woeful Sacramento as Rashad McCants had 33 in the victory. The Kings blow. Denver keeps rolling as Carmelo Anthony scored 25 in a 110-93 triumph over Portland. The Lakers got a nice road win in Houston 93-90 and Berns had some choice words for the Rockets:
" Houston is the most overated team in the league.( If you don't believe me watch the first half of their loss to the Lakers last night)." Houston was pretty bad in the first half and couldn't come back in time for the win. Berns also believes that the Bulls and Cavs are just .500 teams. Detroit beat the Warriors, and the dysfunctional Knicks fell to the Clippers.

TV Schedule
Tonight on TNT, Tim Duncan and the Spurs head to Dallas in a rivalry match with Dirk and Dallas followed by the Bulls at Steve Nash and the Suns.
A Friday night ESPN twinbill has Yao and the Rockets visiting San Antonio followed by the Pistons facing Kobe and the Lakers.
NBATV has the Bulls at Clippers on Saturday night.
NBATV has a great matchup on Sunday night as the BIG 3 of Boston travel to Orlando to battle Dwight Howard and the Magic.
NBATV on Monday has Kevin Durant and the Sonics taking on Pau Gasol and Memphis.
NBATV Tuesday has the Spurs facing Joe Johnson and the Hawks.
Dallas plays at Houston Wednesday on ESPN.
The league is off on Thanksgiving.