And now...the 2013 NBA playoffs!!

NBA Playoff time!

The NBA playoffs are nearly ready to kick off so time to make the predictions.....

I did not get to even finish my pre-season picks and only did the Eastern Conference ...not bad predicting playoff teams....only missed out on Philadelphia who are replaced by Milwaukee.

Well here we go...

Eastern Conference

Miami (1) vs Milwaukee (8)

Though the Bucks were able to get a couple of wins against the Heat during the season....this is not the season...it is the post season!! They may come close in a game or two.

Miami to take series 4-1

Brooklyn (4) vs Chicago (5)

This one will be a lunch pail series and probably one of the toughest of the first round. Even without Derrick Rose, the Bulls stand an even chance if they can grab one in Brooklyn. I think they will.

Chicago sneaks by 4-3

Indiana (4) vs Atlanta (3)

The Pacers will have this series to get more consistent for the next round.

Indiana 4-2

NY Knicks (3) vs Boston (6)

Knicks would like to think they will get through easier this season, you never know with the Celtics, they are seasoned and battle tested. Gonna go with the Boston hoodoo!!

Boston 4-3

For the conference final..I'll go Miami vs Indiana with Miami advancing.

Western Conference

Oklahoma City (1) vs Houston (8)

Houston could give the Thunder fits in a couple of games but OKC will pull it out in the long run.

OKC 4-1

LA Clippers (4) vs Memphis (5)

This series will be brutal again this season and the winner may be exhausted come the next round.

LA Clippers 4-3

Denver (3) vs Golden State (6)

This one will be the most entertaining series of the first round but the Nuggets should prevail.

Denver 4-2

San Antonio (2) vs LA Lakers (7)

Sorry Laker Nation but you just are not consistent enough this season and will struggle over a seven game series. The Kobe Factor would not have made it much better so no excuse there.

San Antonio 4-2

Conference wise...I'll give the nod to the Spurs over the Thunder in seven...

For the title, I'll have to give it to Miami ultimately barring injury ... so Miami over San Antonio for the title in six games.

NCAA Championship pick...

For the title...

Michigan vs. Louisville

The Championship Game of the 2013 NCAA Men's basketball tourney is set to tip off in a couple of hours with Michigan going in as slight underdogs to Louisville.

The Wolverines have had some last second heroics along the way and will hope their shooting touch holds up against the Cardinals. Louisville has used a stifling defense and clutch offense to advance through the rounds.

Overall, Michigan is a relatively young team and though they beat the tough Syracuse zone in the Final Four, they may be due for an off night. Louisville will need consistency on the offensive end to pull it off. 

Ultimately I think I will go with the old adage of good defense beats good offense.

Louisville to win title by 8

Final Four predictions...

Down to Four

There are four teams left in the 2013 NCAA Men's Tournament and by the end of the night...we will have our Championship game set. Both matchups should be entertaining so I suppose I'll make my predictions.

Wichita State vs. Louisville

At the start of the tourney, I picked a Louisville-Miami final...well Miami fell by the wayside but the Cardinals are in the hunt. Wichita State has had a great run and will be looking to pull off the upset. Overall I think Rick Pitino will get the Cards to the title match.

Louisville by 7

Michigan vs Syracuse

Syracuse has been brutal on defense through the tournament but were prone to lapses during the regular season. Michigan may have the answers to the Orange zone with their shooting from the outside, a decent inside game and a premier point guard. I think the Orangemen may fall just short...

Michigan by 4

Back with Championship pick in a day or so... 

Finals Series gets underway tonight...

NBL Grand Final Series Rematch up soon

The 2012-2013 NBL Grand Final series will pit Perth against New Zealand in a rematch of last seasons' title series with New Zealand seeking a third consecutive title. 

The evergreen C.J. Bruton will be the emotional leader for the Breakers and lead the charge once again. During the regular season, Perth won three of the four meetings but will start the series minus the scrappy Damian Martin who is a three time NBL Defensive Player of the year. 

Overall the series should be exciting ...prediction wise, I am predicting a close series but looking for New Zealand to pull it off.

Finals Series Prediction:

New Zealand Breakers 2-1

Sunday's Regional Finals

Last two Final Four spots available

Sunday's games could easily be mistaken for the Final Four instead of the battle to get there...let's pick 'em...

Michigan vs Florida

Both teams have strengths but both have been inconsistent at times....Florida by 9

Duke vs Louisville

Duke won early in the season but they have had big shooting games recently and if they hold to form...they are due for a let-down...Louisville by 6

Back with Final Four picks later in the week...

Two tickets to Final Four up for grabs...

Regional title predictions

Two regional finals are set for Saturday....

My picks for the day...

Syracuse vs Marquette

Marquette returns to Final Four after winning by 3

Wichita State vs Ohio State

Ohio State by 6

Sweet 16 has four games left....

Four Spots left

After a shocking day prediction wise, I will jump in with my final Sweet 16 picks....can't get much worse than yesterday's 1-3 effort!!

Oregon vs Louisville

Louisville by 13

Michigan vs Kansas 

Kansas by 7

Michigan St. vs Duke

Duke by 3

Florida-Gulf Coast vs Florida

Riding Cinderella!! Gulf Coast by 4

Back with regional final picks tomorrow....