NBA Pick One – Post 111 – March 24, 2011

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My Pick from Last Night – Pat Patterson – 38 P1P

You remember yesterday when I said something like, “why take Chuck Hayes when you can take Pat Patterson,”? Yeah, well, Chuck Hayes must have heard me. He had a triple-double for the Rockets, securing 38 P1Ps and an unlock bonus which is insanely valuable during these last weeks.

Pat Patterson, meanwhile, even with his rookie double bonus, only brought in 38 P1P. He ended his streak of three straight double-doubles.

Patterson puts me at 1,208th overall, within the 95th percentile.

NBA.com’s Expert Pick for Tonight – Jose Barea – Mavericks

“How about Chuck Hayes with the triple-double to give us an unlock bonus with only three weeks to go in the season? Even a blind expert finds a pick every once in a while. Anyway, on to more important matters, like tonight’s pick. Jose Juan (J.J.) Barea is putting up basically the same numbers for the Mavericks that he did a year ago, yet has seemingly burst on to the scene with some recognition this season. The former Northeastern Husky backs up Jason Kidd on a nightly basis rounding out at about 20 minutes a game, and 14.4 PRAs. It’s certainly tough trying to catch anyone leading you in the standings hoping for a 14 PRA night, but with Barea facing Minnesota, there is the possibility of him breaking out a big game. Not only because the T-wolves just aren’t that good, and also because Barea has had a moderate amount of success against them compared to his averages. In two games, he’s been able to average a 17 PRA total. Hopefully he can figure out a way to go above and beyond for us tonight. Options are slim, but at the very least Barea is a consistent player and safe pick.”

My Pick for Tonight – Nikola Pekovic – Timberwolves

'brows that would make Joe Flacco proud.

Kevin Love is going to be out for at least the next two games, allowing big men Anthony Randolph and Nikola Pekovic to see more playing time.

Pekovic is subjected to the rookie double bonus in his first season out of Montenegro and is prone to more P1P than Randolph.

It is pretty much a hit or miss with Pekovic. I’m hoping the Wolves realize they have nothing to lose and just play Pekovic for most of the night.