The Daily Nickel

1. Mavs Closeout Blazers in Game 1- There is a funny vibe around Mavs fans heading into this series.  We've been let down so many times and we don't want to put ourselves out there again.  No need to formally put together a watching party, we just casually mention to our old cheering buddies where were planning on catching the game.  We talk about things other than the game so that if anything goes wrong in the first three quarters we can act like we don't care and flip over to "Pawn Stars."  But they slowly drag us back in, and a late surge by Dirk and Reggie Miller's ghost inhabiting Kidd's body has us on our feet and high fiveing... with the periphreal vision well aware that we're setting ourselves up for another broken heart.

2. Spurs and Lakers Fall in Game 1- The D-Fdub firmly believes that the "Jason Kidd Plays Like Ray Allen Plan" has already worked one more time than could have been expected.  But, watching the Lakers AND the Spurs drop their first games has given us another plan for success... We'd also have home-court advantage over the rest of the Western Conference. 

3. Rangers Drop another Close One-  Beltre and Young had outstanding ga,es at the plate, but it proved not to be enough as the Rangers drop their second straight to the Yanks in another one-run loss.  Its the second series in a row that the Rangers have lost.  Time for the boys to get back home.

4. Online Poker Shut Down- Its nice to see our tax dollars being spent to crack down on cards games while criminals like Julio Borbon are still allowed on the streets.  The selectiveness of the sting is questionable as well, as the Old Maid and Crazy 8's online gambling sites remain unscathed.

5. Balk?