With no football games, it’s hard to gamble, so, thankfully, we can throw our money away on NBA games that can really go either way. But it’s entertaining, right? And, in short, that’s the main reason we gamble. We don’t do it to win or lose — we do it because it takes an otherwise boring chunk of the night and becomes very, very entertaining, even if the entertainment is accompanied with many hours of grief afterwards. Enjoy my picks. I’m the best.

Last night: 3-5
On the season: 16-21-1

Tonight’s games:

Denver Nuggets @ Detroit (-6): I want to pick the Nuggets, but based on my recent success, I’m going opposite. Take the Pistons.

Miami @ Milwaukee (-5): It’s a bad NBA season when every game, you say, “Wow, I don’t want to bet on either of those teams.” This is one of those, but take the Bucks.

New Jersey Nets @ Chicago (+6): Six points at home. Why not?

LA Lakers (+5) @ Dallas Mavericks: Last time these two played in Dallas, the Lakers won in OT. So I’ll take five points now and feel pretty safe about it.

Boston Celtics (-1) @ Houston Rockets: I just want to say I was the one that called the end of the infamous streak.

Golden State Warriors (-1) @ Sacramento Kings: Eh. I like the Warriors.

Phoenix Suns (-3) @ Portland Trail Blazers: If you’ve kept up, you know every time I bet the Blazers I lose. Let’s hope every time I bet against them isn’t a similar outcome.