Playoffs on Milo's mind... check out his week 14 picks
What's good NCBL family last week games some teams solidified their claim for a playoff spot while others went up in smoke. This week teams are playing for better seating as well as pride. Which team would play to their capabilities and show some life, no one knows but after this week games the picture would be much clearer. Here is what Milo thinks for Week 14 games which would have a playoff theme come Saturday.
Corona vs. Linden:
Best of the east versus worst of the east; Corona would have their hands full trying to stop a mad Linden team who lost their last game and would like to rebound and prepare for a show down against undefeated White Plains. Corona record is the worst in the east but they continue to play with intensity and heart. The problem this game is they are facing a division leader that all year have been playing consistent ball even in their loss.
They could have easily been undefeated but some untimely calls and a few bad bounces thwarted their efforts. Look for a high scoring game with hard nose defense but this game should be a tune up for Linden. Linden wins this match up in blow out fashion as they prepare for a show down with White Plains.
Ebenezer vs. Mt. Sinai:
Another battle between two teams in the east and this game will have big implications for seating. Both teams are in the playoffs but would like to get a higher seeding come playoff time.
Ebenezer is playing 500 ball and need to show up this game in order to stay ahead of Mt. Sinai. Mt Sinai lost some tough games but feels they can play with Ebenezer and move ahead. Both teams won their last game and this would make for an exciting match up.
Ebenezer needs to play good defense and rebound if they are to win this game. Mt. Sinai needs to score and keep the pressure on Ebenezer. If Ebenezer guards play the way they are capable then it would be a win, if Mt. Sinai can keep it close in the second half then their chances are good. Look for a high scoring game with lots of changes but in the end I like Mt. Sinai to take control and defeat Ebenezer by 6 points.
Bronx vs. Advent Hope:
Bronx is percentage points behind undefeated White Plains for the top spot in the northeast division. With two games left they would like to run the table and hope White Plains could stumble so they could be tied for the division lead. They face a winless team in Advent Hope who plays hard but don't have the players currently to make some noise.
Bronx only loss this year was to White Plains; and they were in the game until the end. Advent Hope has faced some of the tougher teams this year and it never seems to end. Now they must figure out a way to stop a high octane offense with guards that bring it. This game would be over before the half unless Bronx decides to take a night off. Coach Marvin pays attention to details so I don't envision him allowing that to happen.
Look for Bronx to run as much as possible and leave Advent Hope in the rear view come second half. Bronx wins this match up in blow out fashion solidifying their claim as one of the best teams in the East.
City Tab vs. White Plains:
City Tab sometimes is a hard team to cover and predict. They started the year off slowly and realized they needed to make a few adjustments and it paid dividends with them getting to 500.
They won their last game in good fashion and would like to continue this week. I hope they come to play because they are facing the league's best team in White Plains. White Plains knows what’s at stake and would not take the young cats for granted.
This game should be competitive because both teams have size. The problem City Tab will face is lack of experience and guards that would have problems getting to the rim. White Plains will do what they do best and it starts on the defensive end. They can take any team out their game and show up their weaknesses. I think City Tab would come to play and show much intensity but they would need a good game from their big guys to win. Look for a close game but in the end White Plains would remain undefeated and prepare to face East leader Linden.
Fellowship vs. New Dimension:
Fellowship lost last week to Rogers Ave and playing without their big man Clutch didn't help matters. Now they face the defending champs who defeated South Brooklyn last week; and are still in the hunt to clinch their division. This game will be more of a tune up for New Dime who is preparing to make a run for a repeat.
New Dime has better guards and size inside which would prove to be too much for Fellowship to overcome. Look for a close game come first half but by second half New Dime would take control and run away with the game. New Dime wins this match up in blow out fashion.
South Brooklyn vs. Coney Island:
South Brooklyn lost last week and is on a two game losing streak. Coney Island righted their ship and is playing lights out ball winning their last 5 games. They are 1.5 games behind division leader Flatbush (who they defeated last week in overtime) and would like to keep the pressure on as much as possible.
They finally made some adjustments to their lineup and it shows with the way they are playing. South Brooklyn needs to play big this game because they are facing a big team with lots of fire power. Look for a high scoring game with lots of fouls but in the end Coney Island will prove too much for South Brooklyn to match. I expect a competitive game but Coney Island is playing for a division and that would be enough motivation for them to close out this game. Coney Island wins this match up by 10 points at least.
Bethel vs. Kingsboro:
Bethel lost their last game over two weeks ago to Coney Island and is still a half game behind division rival Hanson Place. They have two games remaining and if they could run the table they could possibly tie or win their division.
Kingsboro can play spoiler and knock Bethel down in the division and salvage some respect from their peers. Bethel must be focused and ready because a lot is at stake. Look for Bethel to push the ball and attack the interior of Kingsboro. Kingsboro should play loose and can do some things to affect Bethel's plans. Look for a close game but Bethel should be able to make the necessary stops to win this match up. Bethel defeats Kingsboro by 8 points.
Hanson Place vs. Shiloh:
Shiloh played a great game last week and would like to continue their winning ways. Folks this team has shown improvement from the start of the season to now and as a result will make the playoffs. Good job by a first year team and coaching staff. Now they face a daunting task of stopping one of the west better teams in Hanson Place.
“Need I say more,” Hanson Place have been playing their typical style of ball and looks like a team ready for a deep run in the playoffs. This game should be a good indication as to how much Hanson Place wants to move up in the standings come playoffs time. “Shiloh will come to play but can they muster enough points to keep Hanson Place on their toes?” Hanson Place will dominate in the middle and that alone would be problems for Shiloh who is thin on the inside. Look for a low scoring game with lots of free throws but in the end I can't see Hanson Place losing this match up. Hanson Place wins this game in blow out fashion.
“Well folk’s lots of games this week and some exciting match ups. Look out for Milo's picks for Week 15 where the playoff picture would be clearer and teams vying to move up and grab a higher seed would be on. Also Milo will give you his picks for the playoffs and what teams would advance to reach the pinnacle game of champions. God Bless and play safe.”
City Tab sometimes is a hard team to cover and predict. They started the year off slowly and realized they needed to make a few adjustments and it paid dividends with them getting to 500. 
South Brooklyn lost last week and is on a two game losing streak. Coney Island righted their ship and is playing lights out ball winning their last 5 games. They are 1.5 games behind division leader Flatbush (who they defeated last week in overtime) and would like to keep the pressure on as much as possible. 
