Blowout Games

As if the playoffs are not yet weird enough for Drive To The Finals, now we have two blowout games in Day Two of the Conference Semis. Nobody likes blowout games -- the players in the losing team we picked have low PRAs, and the players get benched early. The Spurs schooled the newcomers Blazers on how it should be done in the playoffs, and LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard were shooting poorly early on -- much to the dismay of those who picked them and hoping for a better showing. The Heat put some stomping on the Nets, and the Nets continue to force us into a guessing game with their PRAs.


Assuming both the Spurs and the Heat advance, these are your options for Thursday, Game 2, sorted according to average PRA:

• LaMarcus Aldridge (43 PRA). He was the only reliable Blazer in Game 1. And even if he was slow to turn it up, Game 2 should be a better game for him. Remember what I told you, he loves playing in Texas. Pick him now or in Game 5.

• Damian Lillard (38 PRA). He was humbled in Game 1 by Tony Parker. Lillard is a proud guy, just take a look at his facial expressions during games. He will be looking to bounce back hard in Game 2. Pick him now, or wait for Game 3 at Portland.

• Joe Johnson (28 PRA). He is a hot pick for Thursday, and he remains the Nets' go-to guy. Yes you may get 30 PRA somewhere else, but if you are destined to pick Joe Johnson later in this round anyway, then might as well pick him now. Or wait for an elim game. He gets my pick.

• Nicolas Batum (27 PRA). That 40 and 37 PRAs he got playing in his first two playoff games in Portland were no fluke. I still listed him here just in case you already used Aldridge and Lillard, and doesn't want to risk picking a Net. If not, pick him in Game 3 at home.

• Deron Williams (25 PRA). Looking at his game logs, it seems he likes it more playing at home. I don't recommend picking him in Game 2, but he is the hottest pick of Thursday at 20%. And I can't argue with that ;)

There are other options like Paul Pierce and Robin Lopez, but I would recommend picking your best player early, or at least keep your daily targets at or above 25 PRA this round.

Truthfully, I think for me the better pick is Lillard, but my guts tell me it's Johnson. I'll take Lillard in Game 4, maybe.

And hey, listen to what your guts tell you. And I love hearing about yours in the comments section. You may even change my mind.

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