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: 4-2
On the Season: 33-33-1

Detroit Pistons (-1) @ Toronto Raptors: Raps have been struggling. Pistons are good. Take Detroit.

Milwaukee Bucks (+7) @ Atlanta Hawks: I like the Hawks to win, but take the gift seven and the Bucks.

Miami Heat @ New York Knicks (-7): It’s a hard bet to take. I know. Just swallow and do it. Because betting the Heat will be even worse.

Phoenix Suns @ Boston Celtics (-5): Boston just dropped one at home to the Sixers, so I figure they can’t possibly lose two in a row. Lay the five, C’s cover.

Minnesota T’Wolves @ Houston Rockets (-11): Minnesota, on the road, against one of the better teams in the NBA. Rockets cruise.

Charlotte Bobcats @ LA Lakers (-11): See above.