The End Zone Issue 6

Last week’s analysis focused on Portland and included a recommendation to take them in the first half of four games. These picks went 2-2, leaving Hot Dots yearly record at a lackluster 2-3.

This issue we’ll continue following the Portland team in the belief that we’ve gotten a peak at their whole card. The Trailblazers seem to be a team that can’t look at itself in the mirror so as to understand who it is and play in a consistent way. For example after being blown out by Cleveland Coach Cheeks decided to bench Damon Stoudamire who’d been playing terribly in favor or Nick Van Exel. Did Van Exel come out and say that he was excited about the opportunity to make a bigger contribution? Did Stoudamire admit his bad play, and vow to work on his shot and support his team. Not if you read between the lines:

"It was tough because, Damon . . . that's my boy," Van Exel said. "I wasn't excited or happy; I was mainly upset. I mean, I didn't come here with (starting) being in my mind-set. So I talked to him . . . and told him it was tough for me, but he said, 'Look, you are a friend, and we have all been through this before.' " Added Stoudamire: "I'm going to bounce back. I'm looking forward to the challenge, because that's what this is: a challenge."

Of course there’s some diplomacy going on here with the aging Van Exel trying to protect his friend’s ego, but there’s also the explicit admission that he doesn’t particularly want to start. Meanwhile Stoudamire talks about “bouncing back” without admitting that what he has to bounce back from is his own poor play. The result of these egos is a team that tends to play up and down to the level of its opponents. The Trailblazers are a talented basketball team, and when they have a chance for a big ego win as when they played the Pistons on 12/18 they often play well. However when they play a team they have recently beaten, or that is not one of the elite teams in the League, they often lack energy and focus.

The schedule over the next five games includes games at Milwaukee (12/23) and home against Philadelphia (12/27) and Golden State (1/1). In these three games we will play against Portland. The Trailblazers also take on two elite teams getting to play San Antonio (12/30) and Phoenix (1/2). We will look for the Blazers to draw on their egos and play well against these opponents early, and in these games we’ll take the Blazers using the First Half option.

Ken Klein offers NBA handicapping insight and betting strategy exclusively for BetUS.com. You can reach him at: kenklein@betus.com

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The Bowl Championship Series culminates with the FedEx Orange Bowl National Championships on January 4th, 2005 where the top ranked USC Trojans and Oklahoma Sooners go head to head and vie for number one. Referred to by some as “the perfect matchup” – the BCS games are guaranteed to heat up the holidays!

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The boys will be impressed with this quick Mexican number. Slap this together during a commercial break and throw it in the oven, in time for the game. Oozing with melted cheese, serve up these Quesadillas with some chopped jalepenos for those that can stomach some heat.

Prep Time: 5 min
Total Time: 35 min
Makes: 36 servings, 1 appetizer each

1-1/2 cups KRAFT Four Cheese Mexican Style Shredded Cheese
2 Tbsp. green onion slices
12 Flour Tortillas
3/4 cup Thick 'N Chunky Salsa

MIX cheese and onion. Spoon about 2 Tbsp. of the cheese mixture onto center of each tortilla; fold tortilla over to completely enclose filling.

SPRAY large skillet with cooking spray. Cook 1 or 2 quesadillas at a time on medium-high heat 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until crisp and lightly browned on both sides.

CUT each quesadilla into thirds. Serve warm with the salsa.

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HANDICAPPING CONTEST WINNERS

Congratulations to the following winners from Weeks 13, 14 & 15

All weekly first place winners be automatically entered into a draw to win the grand prize: a trip for two to the Pro Bowll in Hawaii! Sign up for the 2004 NFL Handicapping Contest and show us you have what it takes to be a serious handicapper!