Saturday NBA

Utah giving 11 to Portland sounds like a lot. While the model says the Jazz could be expected to cruise to an easy 18-point win, the reality if the NBA is that teams don't really care if they win by 9 any more than if they win by 11. Just ask the last night's Golden State bettors.

But teams do care and play hard early in the game, and Utah is a 3 1/2 point 1st quarter favorite. I've taken the Jazz on that one. The risk here is that the teams might play without the urgency of purpose, using the risk window to feel out the opposition and make adjustments.

But the Blazers are coming to Salt Lake after a tough home loss Friday night, and the Jazz had the night off after an embarrassing loss to the Spurs. Utah should be determined while Portland is likely to be tired.

Also:

• Wizards +3 at Milwaukee

Good luck.

Fridday ballin'

Here are my favored choices for Friday night NBA:

• Lakers -5
• Magic + 6 1/2
• Cavs -6
• 1st Quarter: Nuggets -1
  

Good luck.

Post-Christmas Cheer!

Here's a parlay for the post-Christmas soul. These are, I think, pretty good picks. Good luck!

• Hou +4.5
• NO +6.5
• Utah -7.5

I wouldn't feel bad about taking Houston or New Orleans on the moneyline, there could be some decent value on those picks. My system has Houston 4 over Indy and NO 3 over the Sonics.