Charles Barkley has paid his $400,000 debt. The check arrived today, though he’s still due to owe the casino another $40k for processing fees.

This is good for Barkley, who surely had to have been humiliated by being a high profile athlete whose check bounced. The man says this has been a blessing to him, and that he’s done gambling forever. Read my statement in the post below, because I’m going to say it again: 10:1 odds says that man’s got a pair of dice in his hands by the end of the month.

New Orleans Hornets 80, San Antonio Spurs 100: I know there’s home court, I know home court generally gives a team an advantage. But as I watch these NBA Playoffs, I’ve gotta put hte question out there: Is it a guaranteed win once you’re at home?

Of the second round series, the home team is 14-1 (the lone loss was Orlando’s one-point defeat at the hands of the Pistons), and the games aren’t super close. San Antonio will lose by 15 on the road, then come home and win by 20, which makes me wonder what the difference is — like I said, I know there’s a difference, but a 35 point differential because you’re playing in front of your fans?

My rant aside, the Big Three for San Antonio were solid. Tim Duncan had 22 points and 13 rebounds, Tony Parker had 21 points and 8 assists, and Manu Ginobli had 15 points, 8 assists, but also had 4 turnovers.

Chris Paul managed to score 23, but had an un-Chris Paul night, handing out 5 assists over the course of the game. the series shifts back to New Orleans where, if history thus far proves right, they’ll win.

Los Angeles Lakers 115, Utah Jazz 123: Again: A home team that wins after struggling mightily in LA. Kobe had a bad back, but it was still almost enough to do in Utah. The Jazz were up by double digits with less than four minutes to play, but LA — and Derek Fischer, parituclarly — caught fire, eventually tying the game with less than 10 seconds to play.

Deron Williams had 29 points and 13 assists, and though his numbers were down, Carlos Boozer had a nice game with 14 points and 12 rebounds, with 12 of his 14 points coming in the second half. The series is tied 2-2 and shifts back to LA, where you’d think the Jazz have the momentum, but, I caution you — they don’t. This year’s NBA playoffs will be known as the playoffs where the top seed won every time, all the way ‘ti the end, when Boston hoists the Trophy.

Dallas Mavericks 94, New Orleans Hornets 99: The Mavericks made a late push at the end of the game to try and salvage the season, but it was an oh-so-feeble attempt to end their imminent doom. Chris Paul had 24 points and 15 assists — 11 of which came in the first half alone — and David West led all Hornets with 25. Dallas exits in the first round for the second year in a row, and there’s speculation that Avery Johnson’s job may be on the line. I’d squash the speculation: If you’re looking for a finger to point, point it at the guy that pulled the trigger on the Jason Kidd trade. Wait. He’s the owner. Bye, Avery.

Philadelphia 76′ers 81, Detroit Pistons 98: Three games into the series, it looked as if Philly may actually steal one. Five games into the season, it doesn’t look like they stand much of a chance. Detroit manhandled Philadelphia, going up 12 at the half, 20 by the third, and then coasted to victory through the fourth. Chauncey Billups led the Pistons with 21 points, followed by Rip Hamilton (20), Rasheed Wallace (19), and Tayshaun Prince (17). Detroit now has a 3-2 lead heading back to Philadelphia.

Utah Jazz 69, Houston Rockets 95: It’s odd the Jazz swept the first two games at home, went back to Utah, where they had a 37-4 record through the regular season, are playing Tracy McGrady — who’s known for choking it up in the first round — and this thing is still going on. Not only going on, but Houston is beating the ever living hell out of them. Utah was 36 percent from the field and 22 percent from beyond the arch. Carlos Boozer led the Jazz with 19 points on 8-18 shooting. T-Mac led the Rockets with 29 points. The series is 3-2, and resumes Thursday night in Utah.

Phoenix Suns 87, San Antonio Spurs 92: They said it would be one of the best first round series ever, and I agreed. Problem is, it wasn’t. The Spurs won the series 4-1 last night, on the back of two solid performances by Tony Parker (31 points), and Tim Duncan (29 points and 17 rebounds). Shaq finished with 13 points and nine boards in only 29 minutes of play, posing the question: Why the hell did they trade for a guy that can’t run the court for more than 29 minutes? Good call, Steve Kerr, it’s nice to see you’re still helping the Spurs win Championships.

Orlando Magic 94, Toronto Raptors 108: Chris Bosh has been doing his job in each of Toronto’s first two losses, and this one the rest of the team did its part. TJ Ford had 21 points and Jose Calderon had 18, and four other players finished in double figures for the Raptors. The Magic finished 6-27 from beyond the arch, and starters Maurice Evans and Jameer Nelson combined for only six points.

Cleveland Cavaliers 72, Washington Wizards 108: DeShawn Stevenson had a much needed big night, scoring 19 points for the Wizards, going 5-7 from beyond the arch. Gilbert Arenas played only 10 minutes and got two points, but hey: Maybe he needs to sit. The guy’s good, sure, but when he’s injured he’s only hurting them. LeBron finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Houston Rockets 94, Utah Jazz 92: The Jazz were 37-4 at home coming into the game, and having won both games in Houston, had already stamped their ticket to the second round. They’re 37-5 now, thanks mostly to T-Mac’s 27 points and, more importantly, some of those 27 actually coming in the fourth quarter. The Jazz have a 2-1 lead in the series, with one more game in Utah before it shifts back to Houston.

It may not be the “best” defensive line, per se, because in order to be the best, I’m guessing you’d have to win a Super Bowl (and let’s be honest, the Vikings aren’t winning a Super Bowl), but it’s pretty damn good. The Vikings had been rumored to be actively seeking Jared Allen, and today it became official: The former Chief will now help rush the quarterback wearing a purple uniform.

The Chiefs will get the Vikings first round pick, No. 17 overall, and both of the Vikes’ third round selections. In return, the Vikings will get a guy who led the NFL in sacks last year (15 1/2), and stamps them as the best defensive line in football. With Kevin Williams and Pat Williams requiring at least three blockers at all times, Allen will be able to pin his ears back and bull-rush the quarterback.

There’s rumors that the Chiefs will now select Vernon Gholston or Chris Long with their selection, but you’ve got to ask why: They just gave up Allen, and by selecting another rookie, you pay just as much money at that pick, and essentially get someone who’s unproven and only four years younger. Makes ya scratch your head a little.

Rarely when a player says he won’t play for a team does the team actually keep him and not consider any trades, but the Bengals seem to be doing just that. According to ESPN, the Redskins offered the Bengals their first round pick this year, a third round pick next year that could turn into a first round pick if Johnson hits certain numbers, in exchange for Ocho-Cinco.

“I’ve stated our case with Chad,” Lewis said. “He has a contract through 2011. He’s stated without an opportunity to go to a different team and a new contract, he wasn’t going to play. I think he’s a man of his word and says he’s not going to play, so don’t play.”

You’d think with a first round draft pick thrown out there — and possibly two — that the Bengals would take that deal and be happy. Unfortunately, Marvin Lewis doesn’t seem to be budging. Super unfortunately, Chad Johnson is signed through 2011. It’s not like he’d just have to sit out one year; he’d have to sit out three years. There’s a part of me that wants to see Chad on an offense where he can make an impact, and another part of me that really wants to see a professional NFL player actually live out hte contract they said they would.

. . . The Miami Dolphins select University of Michigan offensive tackle, Jake Long.

It’s official. The first bit of suspense for the NFL draft has been buzzkilled, now that Bill Parcells has signed the former Michigan standout as his first overall selection in 2008. It’s a pretty wise selection, if you ask me, given what is out there and what’s safest with the first pick. He’s huge, he’s quick, and he reminds a lot of people of Joe Thomas, one of the best rookies from last year’s crop. The problem is, when you mention big and quick, you’re also immediately reminded of Robert Gallery who, I might add, wasn’t one of the better rookies in his class, and that’s putting it lightly.

Hoo-raw to Parcells for making the pick; 20 bucks says the Dolphins still take their full 15 minutes before announcing it on Saturday.

I’ve been eagerly awaiting Pacman Jones’ return to the field (that’ll give us plenty of victory parties and strip club stories to hear about) since the day he was suspended, feeling that the NFL is a little less without such a charismatic, genuine, electrifying player that is Pacman.

I’d be lying if I told you I’ve been looking forward to Odell Thurman’s return as much as Pacman’s, but it has been high up there on my calendar of Great Upcoming Events.

Anyway, Odell’s back, better than ever, and ready to step into the prison stripes that is the Cincinnati Bengals uniform.

“Odell has met the NFL’s conditions for reinstatement and has been added to our offseason roster,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. “It is now up to Odell to continue to meet all NFL guidelines, and to maintain a standard of personal responsibility that will allow him the chance to compete for a spot on our team.”

I tried to dig up the ol’ Youtube video of Odell Thurman sadly failing his sobriety test, but was about as unsuccesful as he was walking a straight line. And I’d like to see it again; if you remember, that was Chris Henry puking out the back. Those were the days. Those were the days.

Derrick Rose was a super freshman who was thought to be a top five pick, and after his ridiculous tournament (avergaing 20 per game), is a super freshman thought to be the first pick.

He’s announced he’s foregoing his final three years at Memphis to enter the NBA, and why not? The kid’s good, he can turn around a team quickly — kind of like Mike Conley did with Memphis (pft) — and, apparently, he’s a pretty good kid with his head screwed on tight.

At any rate, you have to hope the kid is drafted by a team that teaches free throws, which, as seen throughout the season, Calipari clearly doesn’t.

UCLA has been to what seems like 80 Final Fours in a row — it’s the main reason I picked them to win it; they were the safest bet — but that may be ending as soon as next year. Kevin Love and Darren Collison have both entered their names into the NBA Draft, according to ESPN.

Karen Love, Kevin’s mother, isn’t so sure of the report.

“The report is wrong because he hasn’t made his decision yet,” Karen Love said, according to The Oregonian. “He’s coming home this week, and we’ll sit down and talk about it as a family, just like we’ve said all along. Honestly, that’s the truth.”

We know how this goes in sports. A report comes out that a guy’s leaving school early, the guy or the guy’s family denies it like crazy, and a week later they come out of school early. So, UCLA fans who are hoping that Karen Love is right, don’t hold your breath.

Oh, and in more disappointing news, Russell Westbrook, their star sophomore and only player who showed up against Memphis, is reportedly leaving as well.