#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Current Totals:
1. Midwest - $2150
2. Atlantic - $1350
2. Central - $1350
4. Pacific - $1250

This Sim's Division Representatives:
Atlantic: Conroy
Central: L Hamilton
Midwest: C Prej
Pacific: BowToTheBill

You may claim a point if you provide a write-up/rationale for each response. Otherwise, you're just competing for the divisional race which awards 5 points per GM in the winning division at the end of the season.

Pick the 10 games with the spread below from 12/4/13 and rank them in confidence from 10 (most confident) to 1 (least confident). You'll get 10pts for winning your most confident, 9 for second, etc. You will then be paid off the following scale:

1st - $1000
2nd - $600
3rd - $200
4th - Nothing but shame

The team with the minus number is the favorite (needs to win by at LEAST that number). The underdog just has to stay within that number. If the game is marked (pk) there is no spread.

12/4/2013
Nuggets (pk)@ Clippers (pk)
Celtics @ Hawks (-10)
Lakers @ Kings (-12)
Timberwolves @ 76ers (-3)
Heat (-5) @ Jazz
Mavericks @ Pacers (-8)
Hornets @ Bucks (-5)
Supersonics (pk) @ Spurs (pk)
Wizards (-6) @ Raptors
Pistons @ Bulls (-3)

Example of picks:
10. Jazz +5
9. Bucks -5
8. Sonics
etc.

12/4/2013
Nuggets (pk)@ Clippers (pk) - I thought for sure I'd pick the home team here, then I started looking at rosters and records. Durant will get his, but Klay can at least help. There is no response on the Clippers for Rondo and Amare. Plus the Nuggets are playing great on the road and the Clips are just all around disappointing right now.
Celtics @ Hawks (-10) - The Hawks will win, but what self respecting GM can pick their team to lose by double digits? Gimme 10 points and hopefully Wall and Co. can keep it close.
Lakers @ Kings (-12) - Lakers play uninspiring on the road and Giannis is going to be a stud but will learn on the job during his rookie season. I think the Kings can take this one by 15.
Timberwolves @ 76ers (-3) - Not sure either team wants to win, but the TWolves are winless on the road, so if they grab a W here, I guess I'll take the L.
Heat (-5) @ Jazz - 18 total players between these two rosters. I'm taking the more talented team. The Heat are bad on the road but the Jazz don't have much of a home court advantage with a losing record in Salt Lake City.
Mavericks @ Pacers (-8) - The Pacers are hot, the Mavs are not.
Hornets @ Bucks (-5) - Another winless road team, 5 kind of seems like it's a little high. But since I picked Quail here he'll make it happen.
Supersonics (pk) @ Spurs (pk) - Spurs are undefeated at home, and Blake is very good and will only get better. But on this night Josh Smith will be the best player on the court.
Wizards (-6) @ Raptors - I've picked too many favorites, gimme the home team and the 6 points. Would still like to give The Raptors GM a healthy shoutout...Frye you Soundwave.
Pistons @ Bulls (-3) - See above I've got to take some dogs. And if I'm taking a dog I'm rolling with AD and LA

To Recap here are my picks:
10. Spurs (pk)
9. Pacers (-8)
8. Kings (-12)
7. Nuggets (pk)
6. 76ers (-3)
5. Heat (-5)
4. Celtics (+10)
3. Raptors (+6)
2. Pistons (+3)
1. Bucks (-5)

edited at least 3 times to get confidence part right

10.Timberwolves @ 76ers (-3)
9.Mavericks @ Pacers (-8)
8.Hornets @ Bucks (-5)
7.Supersonics (pk) @ Spurs (pk)
6.Pistons @ Bulls (-3)
5.Lakers @ Kings (-12)
4.Heat (-5) @ Jazz
3.Celtics @ Hawks (-10)
2.Nuggets (pk)@ Clippers (pk)
1.Wizards (-6) @ Raptors

10. Kings: The Kings are really good. They've got the best point differential in the West and the Lakers, despite being 9-9, have a negative point differential. Kings are at home so I see them winning by 15-20.
9. Spurs: Josh Smith is an MVP candidate imo, and the Spurs should be favorites in every game they play at home.
8. Clippers: The Clippers have the best player in the game. I'm not betting against Durant at home.
7. 76ers: They're taking some time to gel, but the Wolves really struggle to score. In Philly, I'm going with the 6ers.
6. Bucks: The Hornets are one of the worst teams in the league and haven't won a road game yet. Lillard will get them one soon, but I'm not gonna bet on it against the Bucks.
5.Raptors: Yes, the Wiz are hot, but we all thought the Raptors were gonna be one of the best teams in the league this year. Getting points at home, I have to take them.
4. Jazz: Frankly, the Jazz are simply getting points but they're better at home than the Heat are on the road.
3. Hawks: This is a tough one, but the Hawks score so much I can see them winning this one by double digits.
2. Mavericks: I think the Pacers will cool down soon despite Deron's brilliance. The Mavs are better than their record as well.
1. Pistons: Toss up so I'll take the points

Editor's Note: The Hornets/Bucks game landed right on the number (you're welcome, America) so every GM got 1/2 the points they wagered on that game. I played around with a few ways of doing it, but regardless it didn't impact the standings.

Tally for this round:
1. With 8/10 correct picks and a whopping 47.5 out of 55 possible points, Conroy sends $1000 to the Atlantic
2. Pacific - $600 - 38/55 points
3. Midwest - $200 - 25/55 points
4. Central - Shame. Shame. Shame.

Conroy and BowToTheBill - you may claim 1 point!

Current Standings:
1 (tie). Midwest and Atlantic - $2350
3. Pacific - $1850
4. Central - $1350

BOOM SHAKALAKA