It's not too late. Play Drive to the Finals Now!

By Greg Lazaroff

Previous Expert Picks

April 26 - Day 5. It’s a big “Play Night”, I’m sure of it. Everyone has their own strategy, and mine happens to be focused on the state of each series and how that will impact the players’ performance.

More specifically, all of the games slated for tonight are Game 2’s and each of the road teams have superstars who will have to shine in order for his team to steal the home court advantage away.

Today's Expert Pick

Player: Pau Gasol, MEM Opponent: Dallas Regular Season Averages Pts Reb Ast 20.4 8.9 4.6

The Pick: Since Michael Redd of the Bucks was picked already, that leaves me with Kobe Bryant of the Lakers and Pau Gasol of the Grizzles as the difference makers on teams that are down 1-0 who are still available to choose from. I initially thought that Kobe would be the pick for me because I am sure he will follow up his 22-point performance from Sunday with a monster game tonight. However, I truly think the Lakers will go deep in this series and taking Kobe in a home game later on is a more preferable decision.

Gasol had impressive numbers in Game1. Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images

Through my own unique process of elimination, that leaves me with Pau Gasol. He’s my horse for tonight. Pau had a solid performance in Game 1 with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists – a well rounded game for anyone. Mike Fratello is a veteran coach and will make adjustments that will only allow Pau to perform even better and put the Grizzlies in a position to steal a game from Dallas early on in the series with a spectacular performance from Gasol.

General Strategy: Don’t over think this stuff. Let’s be honest. One of these teams tonight is going to win in my opinion and in order for that to happen, the superstar, and go-to guy, is the one who will lead his team to victory. When you’re going back and forth between Kobe and Pau (or any other combination that includes 2 superstars), it won’t make much of a difference in the end which one you picked because they’ll both shine in every playoff game they play in – that’s what makes them superstars.

Game 2 is a pivotal game in the series and I know Kobe is aware of this because he’s been there before. Gasol has proven in his Game 1 performance that he’s ready for the playoffs this year. Dallas’ defense may be better than last year but Gasol’s all-around game is peaking and I’m sure he doesn’t want to be swept again in the first round like last year vs. Phoenix.

Pau! Pau! Pow!