NBA Pick One – Post 29: November 23, 2010

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Last Night’s Pick – Russell Westbrook – 38 P1P

Westbrook was able to come away with a predictably big game against the ‘Wolves, 20/4/14. He is proving his worth as one of the best point guards in the NBA, something NBA Pick One Expert Carson Cistulli cannot comprehend.

NBA.com’s Expert Pick for Tonight – Raymond Felton – Knicks

“Not everything can go according to plan. For example, last night’s flop of a pick in Deron Williams. Always stings when a guy you’re counting on to have a big game, who rarely doesn’t have one, does. Another example is tonight’s pick. Ideally I wanted to go with rookie sensation John Wall against the Sixers, but as of midnight last night there was no news that he would play for the first time in four games because of an injured foot, so I can’t recommend him. There are many, many other studs out there to choose from, but unfortunately for me and anyone following my picks, they’re all used up. At the core this is a guessing game, albeit an educated one. Typically I try to provide you with some numbers that back up why I think a particular player is suited to have a good game that night. But it doesn’t always have to be complicated. I choose Raymond Felton because, after all that’s stated above, he’s my best remaining player outside of Evan Turner (still want to see more consistency from him/think he has better days ahead). In his first season with the Knicks, Felton has thrived as the starting point guard under Mike D’Antoni’s fast paced system, putting up the better numbers than he ever averaged with his previous team, the Bobcats. Who just happen to be tonight’s opponent. I have my fingers crossed that his 29.1 PRA average will be enough to get passed the #1 defense and his former teammates, leaving me with a grin not unlike the one you see over to the left.”

I find it very hard to believe that Carson, out of all six games tonight, has no one else to chose besides Raymond Felton against the one of the best defenses in the NBA.

Look at these Bobcat numbers:

• 9th in the NBA in points against – 96.6 PPG
• 28th in the NBA in points scored – 95.5 PPG
• 12th in the NBA in opponent FG attempts per game – 79.7
• 30th in the NBA in own FG attempts per game – 73.2

You don’t need to know trigonometry to see that the Bobcats run a very slow paced offense! I don’t care how fast the Knicks play, it isn’t going to speed up the Bobcats. And if it does, why would you waste your Felton pick when you have the chance of less attempts. Doesn’t make sense. If anything, more opportunities will be created for the Bobcats than usual.

My Pick for Tonight – Gerald Wallace – Bobcats

Gerald Wallace is the pick tonight ...

Which reminds me, Outkast is the choice every night ...

The team to pick against tonight is the Knicks, followed by the Wizards. If we have learned anything from the Knicks, its that they are very weak inside. Blake Griffin was just able to dominate them for 132 P1P and Kevin Love recorded his 30/30 game against them. Wallace is Charlotte’s best inside threat and should benefit from the match-up against the Knicks.

Another interesting game would be the Philly/Washington game but there are too many question marks. The last time these to faced eachother, Nick Young and John Wall stood out for the Wizards while Lou Williams stood out for the 76ers.

With John Wall remaining a game time decision, it makes it hard to pick him. Therefore, with Young’s playing time in question because of the status of John Wall, it also makes it hard to take him. Lou Williams stood out in that game because of the foul trouble of Jrue Holiday. It is hard to predict that.