NBA Sweep Odds - 19 Apr

I've updated the odds of each team sweeping their first-round series to include the results of the opening games of each series (the two opening games in the cases of Miami and Chicago). Just like in my regular formula, there are many factors involved, including overall performance (which covers strength of schedule), momentum, and home court advantage. Here are the 8 remaining teams that could complete a first-round sweep, along with their odds of achieving it. Remember, these are not the odds of winning the series, just of winning the series in 4 games.

Chicago - 46.6%

Miami - 43.4%

Boston - 21.2%

Dallas - 15.9%

Memphis - 8.9%

Oklahoma City - 7.5%

New Orleans - 4.9%

Atlanta - 3.2%

NBA Player of the Day

LeBron James - MIA - 29 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast, 10-19 FG, 1-1 3P, 8-10 FT

This was an extremely close call between LeBron and Derrick Rose yesterday, with Rose outscoring James by 7 points, but also committing 6 turnovers to zero for LeBron. LeBron kept himself in the running for Finals MVP by shooting a better percentage than the Bulls' star.

Predictions - 19 Apr

Upset picks are in italics.

NBA

Knicks at Celtics - Celtics by 7

Hawks at Magic - Magic by 9

Trail Blazers at Mavericks - Mavs by 5

MLB

White Sox at Rays - Rays by 1.5

Twins at Orioles - Orioles by 1.2

Brewers at Phillies - Phillies by 3.9

Yankees at Blue Jays - Yanks by 0.2

Diamondbacks at Reds - DBacks by 0.5

Astros at Mets - Astros by 0.4

Pirates at Marlins - Marlins by 2.0

Angels at Rangers - Angels by 1.2

Padres at Cubs - Padres by 3.9

Indians at Royals - Royals by 1.1

Nationals at Cardinals - Cards by 0.9

Giants at Rockies - Giants by 1.9

Red Sox at Athletics - Sox by 1.8

Tigers at Mariners - Tigers by 1.0

Braves at Dodgers - Dodgers by 2.7

Prediction Results - 18 Apr

NBA Playoffs: 2-0 (1.000) 7-3 overall (.700)

MLB: 3-7 (.300) 52-49 overall (.515)