Last night the draft took place, and outside of the Grizzlies getting OJ Mayo, who was originally drafted by the T’Wolves, for Kevin Love, there wasn’t a whole ton of surprise. Here’s a recap of the Top 10.

1.) Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose: This thing was done the moment they landed the No. 1 pick. It’s his hometown, he was the best player in March, and it all made sense. What happens to Kirk Heinrich is up in the air, but this guy will be a star in this league for a long, long time.

2.) Miami Heat, Michael Beasley: Beasley with Marion and D’Wade? Not bad. Not bad at all.

3.) Minnesota T’Wolves, OJ Mayo: He was traded for Kevin Love.

4.) Seattle Supersonics Russell Westbrook: This is the guy I felt would be the steal of the draft, but at the No. 4 spot, is he still a steal? Regardless, he’s going to play lockdown D on anyone that’s got a ball in front of him. Great pick.

5.) Memphis Grizzlies, Kevin Love: Traded for OJ.

6.) New York Knicks, Danilo Gallinari: He’s an Italian guy, one I don’t know much about, but those European players are either great or they bust. The bad news? There’s not many people coming from Europe that play defense, something the Knicks really, really lack.

7.) LA Clippers, Eric Gordon: The one-year Indiana star. We’ll see how he does with the big boys.

8.) Milwaukee Bucks, Joe Alexander: He’s 6′8″, 220 pounds, and they just acquired Richard Jefferson. Where does that put Alexander on the roster?

9.) Charlotte Bobcats, DJ Augustin: Say goodbye to Raymond Felton.

10.) New Jersey Nets, Brook Lopez: Ric Smits, maybe?

I don’t know enough about players who were in college for one year, so I won’t attempt to make a mock draft that will only belittle my sports knowledge. But I will link you here, where ESPN has their 2008 NBA Mock Draft.

While I won’t make my own list, I will ask a couple of questions about this one.

• First and foremost, how in the hell do the Bulls have the No. 1 overall pick? There’s been conspiracy talk for years, and my God, just let us see the freaking ping pong balls drawn. That way, when a team that was supposed get No. 9 actually gets No. 1, we don’t feel like we’re being Tim Donaghy’ed.
• That said, the Bulls have to take Michael Beasley. Derrick Rose will probably be the best player, but they just re-signed Kirk Heinrich to a five year deal.
• Which means, in short, the Heat won, because they’re going to take Rose, and he and Dwyane Wade — barring the guy can stay healthy for a year — will be totally sick.
• No. 3 pick, Brook Lopez. Say hello to Darko Milicic.
• OJ Mayo to Minnesota? The guy will be the worst pick in the NBA Draft. He’s got no sense of what a team is, and he’s one of those guys that will never realize that athleticism will only carry you all the way in high school.
• If the LA Clippers get Russell Westbrook with the seventh pick, they’ll get the steal of the draft.
• Kevin Love to the Bobcats: Charlotte just keeps wanting to add to their list of big name college players that just don’t pan out. Sean May got fat. Love already is fat. May not be the best selection.
• DJ Augustin to the Pacers would fit nicely with Jermaine O’Neal.
• Roy Hibbert to Utah makes more sense than anything, given that Utah plays slow and, well, Roy Hibbert is really slow.

Phoenix Suns 96, San Antonio Spurs 79: I wouldn’t look at this game as what would happen should the two meet in the first round (it’s a good possibility they will), only because San Antonio seems to step it up about ten notches once in the playoffs. With that said, the Suns absolutely pummeled. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker combined for 43 points, but the rest of the Spurs team scored only 36. Shaq had 16 points and nine rebounds, hopefully justifying some of the many, many millions that he receives annually. Six Suns players scored in double digits, led by Amare Stoudemire’s 21.

New Orleans Hornets 122, Minnesota T’Wolves 90: After a horrible shooting night two days ago, the Hornets found their cure: Play the T’Wolves. The Hornets shot 56 percent from the field, just under 50 percent from beyond the arch, and were led by seemingly everybody. Chris Paul had 19 points and an average — only what Chris Paul would consider average — 16 assists.

Milwaukee Bucks 93, Toronto Raptors 111: Chris Bosh had 32 points and 11 rebounds, helping Toronto avoid a four-game losing streak. The Raptors are still in seventh place, which sets them up to play Detroit in Round 1 of the playoffs.

Charlotte Bobcats 107, New York Knicks 109: The Knicks have won three straight! Quick, extend Isiah’s contract!

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.

On the Season: 36-36-1

New Orleans Hornets @ Orlando Magic (+1.5): Magic are a solid team at home, and they bomb too many threes on a regular basis for me to feel comfortable betting against them.

Philadelphia 76′ers (+1) @ New Jersey Nets: I have to root, root, root for this game. If the Hawks can win their next game, and Jersey lose this one, we’ll build almost a four game lead with eight games left. And then just get swept by the Celtics in the opening round.

Detroit Pistons (-6) @ Minnesota T’Wolves: The T’Wolves are getting better, and the Pistons have been slumping, but this just seems too easy.

Phoenix Suns (+5) @ Denver Nuggets: Both teams like to run, and when I think of running, I think of the Suns. It’s hard to beat them at their own game, even with a sluggish Shaq. They may not win, but they’ll cover the four.

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.

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: 5-2
On the season: 21-23-1

Denver Nuggets (+2) @ Philadephia 76′ers: The Nuggets don’t play defense, but they do play offense, and I feel like AI, going back to his old home, will come out victorious, or at least lose by one.

Washington Wizards @ Orlando Magic (-7): The Magic have been bombing threes when they’re at home, and Washington’s suffering a rough skid right now.

Miami Heat (+14) @ Toronto Raptors: The Raptors have been awful without Bosh. This spread makes me think Bosh must be back, but even in his first game, expect some rust, take the points.

Charlotte Bobcats (+6) @ Indiana Pacers: Two bad teams, take the ‘dog.

Atlanta Hawks @ New Jersey Nets (-2): Hawks are one bad team on the road.

Memphis Grizzlies (+7) @ Minnesota T’Wolves: I just can’t take Minnesota too seriously as a team favored by this many points.

Houston Rockets (+3) New Orleans Hornets: Time to start a new streak. And with the defense they play, Paul and Peja shouldn’t have the easiest time scoring.

Detroit Pistons (+1) @ Cleveland Cavaliers: I love me some Pistons when they’re ‘dogs.

Phoenix Suns (-10) @ Seattle Supersonics: Suns seem to be coming together. ‘Sonics still have some work to do.

Without the Rockets playing, it was hard for me to really care about the NBA, but with money riding on certain games, it does get a bit more fun. Here’s the scores from last night.

New York Knicks 98, Indiana Pacers 110: Mike Dunleavy had 36 points, and the Knicks were still the Knicks, doing little to resemble an NBA team that plays both defense and offense in the same night. Zach Randolph, the great addition he’s been, led the Knicks with 26 points.

Cleveland Cavaliers 90, Orlando Magic 104: The Magic won their fifth straight game, and they did it in similar fashion to other games won this year: By pounding three-pointer after three-pointer down your throat. The Magic were 14-32 from beyond the arch, led by Hedo Turkoglu’s 3-6 effort from downtown. BronBron had 30 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for the Cavs.

Atlanta Hawks 105, Wizards 96: The Hawks snapped Washington’s three-game winning streak, and have now put together a little three-game winning streak of their own. Five players scored double-digits for the Hawks, and rookie Al Horford finished with a double/double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 15 boards.

Chicago Bulls 97, New Orleans Hornets 108: Best way to forget an ugly loss is to play the Bulls the next night. Newly acquired Drew Gooden had 23 points for the Bulls, but Chris Paul’s 37 points and 13 assists was a bit much for a Chicago team that isn’t going anywhere.

Los Angeles Clippers 90, Minnesota T’Wolves 99: I bet this game, thinking there was no way the Clips could lose by more than seven to Minnesota (who just isn’t that good) — and, bang, there it is. This is what happens when you throw cash at the Clippers. You had one year to bet them in the last decade. If you missed it, too bad.

Charlotte Bobcats 80, Memphis Grizzlies 98: See my reaction above, and the same goes for betting on the Bobcats. . .

Boston Celtics 93, San Antonio Spurs 91: The Spurs were up 28-11 at the end of the fourth quarter. Three quarters later, they lost. You can’t say the Spurs are in trouble, but losing five of their last six, and blowing a near- twenty-point lead at home causes some reason to start speculating.

Toronto Raptors 79, Utah Jazz 96: Maybe I’m saying this because I’m a Georgia Tech fan, but Chris Bosh may need to be considered for MVP; with him, they’re a three or four seed. Without him, they don’t make the playoffs (now 2-8 since he went out, and only 4-13 on the year). Just a thought.

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 Time I bet: 1-2
On the season: 13-16-1
What I’ll be Tonight: Really, really good

New York Knicks (+7) @ Indiana Pacers: It’s hard to bet the Knicks, I know, but getting seven points against an almost-equally-sucky team is hard to let go of.

Atlanta Hawks (+7) @ Washington Wizards: I’m feeling it for my Hawks. Feeling it.

Cleveland Cavaliers (+7) @ Orlando Magic: Does anyone else see this recurring trend on the line? Take the points and Cleveland.

LA Clippers (+6) @ Minnesota T’Wolves: If you bet this game, you’re insane. Given that I have to pick, I’ll take the ‘Dog and hope for the points to cover.

Charlotte Bobcats (-2) @ Memphis Grizzlies: This is too many away teams in a row for me, but I’m feeling it, baby. Feeling it.

Chicago Bulls @ New Orleans Hornets (-12): Lots of points to give. But after getting blown out, Hornets will want to make a statement, and they’re good at doing these things at home.

Boston Celtics @ San Antonio Spurs (-1): They’ve had a recent skid, but they’re at home. Spurs should be fine.

Toronto Raptors @ Utah Jazz (-13): They really, really need Bosh back.

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: 1-2
On the Season: 6-8-1

Portland Trail Blazers (-2) @ Minnesota T’Wolves: It’s too tempting to not bet. Any game where Minnesota is only a two-point dog should be an automatic bet.

Utah Jazz (-2.5) @ Chicago Bulls: The Jazz are rested, and outside of Kirilenko, they’ve got no injury issues. Their defense should be able to lock down Ben Gordon and Luol Deng, which is most of Chicago’s offense. Bet the Jazz heavy.

Memphis Grizzlies @ Phoenix Suns (-15): There’s a rule of thumb to never bet on an NBA team that’s favored by 15 or more, but that rule never saw these Grizzlies.

Toronto Raptors @ LA Lakers (-11): The Raptors have been struggling, and as much as I hate to bet the high spread, without Chris Bosh they don’t have their go-to guy and they don’t have anyone in the middle. Kobe kills it, covers.

Last night:

Kings 86, Heat 107: Finally! A win in Miami! It’s been exactly a month, but D-Wade, Marion & Co. finally put something together that resembled an NBA team. Up next for the Kings is the Hawks, who are good at giving a win to a bad team coming off a bad loss.

Magic 102, Nets 92: Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis both had 25 points, and Dwight Howard did his normal double-double deal. Vince Carter led all Nets players with 26 points on 11/23 shooting.

Cavs 102, Bucks 105: Milwaukee continues to stay alive in the Eastern Conference, proof to everyone just how bad the Eastern Conference really is. All five Bucks starters scored double digits, led by Mo Williams 37 point effort. LeBron had 35 points for the Cavs in the losing effort.

Jazz 100, T-Wolves 111: It’s rare in the regular season that you really look back and say, “Damn, that loss hurt,” but it’s also rare that you lose to the T-Wolves. Carlos Boozer put in 34 points and Deron Williams put in 18, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Randy Foye, and Rashad McCants, who all scored 20 or more.

Suns 127, Grizzlies 113: Remember a time — I think it was just a couple of years ago — when the Grizzlies were good, and were thought to have finally turned the corner. Well, 13 wins into this season, that corner isn’t so turned. Though all five starters had double-digit scoring nights for the Grizz, it wasn’t enough to keep up with the Suns 6 players in double digits, led by Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash’s 25.

Wizards 69, Rockets 94: One more win, and PTI will strike up the “Are the Rockets better off without Yao?” talk. I think this win had little to do with the fact that they didn’t have Yao, and a lot to do with the fact that Washington shot 30 percent from the field.

Supersonics 99, Warriors 105: Kevin Durant is shooting only 40 percent on the season, yet he continues to chuck it up like he’s back at Texas. I know he doesn’t have a lot to work with, but my God: Pass the ball.

Trail Blazers 83, Lakers 96: Four Portland Trail Blazers scored in double digits, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Kobe Show. Bryant led all Lakers with 30 points, and Jordan Farmar and Pau Gasol chipped in with 21 and 15, respectively.