Tonight could be the night that three more NBA Playoff series come to a close. For the betterment of what is already an insane (and quite awesome) first round of playoff action, however, we’ll all probably cross our fingers that we see at last a couple of game seven’s.

Whether or not that will come to fruition is the big question, though, as Friday night brings three more amazing battles with the Raptors/Nets, Spurs/Mavericks and Rockets/Blazers all squaring off in exciting game six action.

Let’s break down each matchup and see if we can’t predict the winner with Friday’s NBA Picks:

Toronto Raptors (3) @ Brooklyn Nets (6) – 7:00 PM ET

Toronto is supposed to be the team lacking experience and the ability to close. Instead, they took care of business in a big way in game, five, snuffing out a late run by the Nets and taking a commanding 3-2 series lead. Teams that win game five normally go on to win, but the way this series has been going, that theory may have to be pushed to it’s limits.

Brooklyn has the advantage of a big game six coming on their home court, where they’re a different basketball team. The Raptors could very well close this series out in an electric game seven, but it does look like that is what they’ll have to do. The Nets are more experienced and are at home, so it will be hard to bet against them.

Pick: Nets 104, Raptors 101

San Antonio Spurs (1) @ Dallas Mavericks (8) – 8:00 PM ET

Vince Carter pushed the Mavs into an unlikely 2-1 series lead in game three with a dramatic finish. Since then, the Mavs haven’t been able to close. In fact, game five was probably the Mavs’ last chance to really take over this series, as a 3-1 lead would likely have been too much, even for the top-seeded team in the entire NBA.

Tony Parker isn’t 100% and the Mavs can run with anyone, but their defense down the stretch just hasn’t been good enough. Tiago Splitter and Tim Duncan can do as they please down low, too, meaning the Mavs will have to switch things up and come out ablaze to have a chance to keep this series alive. Dirk Nowitzki and co. have been more than up to the task to give it a go in this series, but it seems the writing is on the wall – even in a game six at home.

Pick: Spurs 95, Mavericks 90

Houston Rockets (4) @ Portland Trail Blazers (5) – 10:30 PM ET

The Rockets and Blazers have battled through five games in a series that could easily be tilted either way thanks to multiple overtime games. Each game has come down to the wire for the most part, and game six in Portland should be no different.

These teams are so evenly matched that it’s difficult to see the Blazers closing it out with a 4-2 series lead. They stormed out to a terrific 3-1 series lead, but after Houston staved off elimination at home in game five, it’s starting to look like they might be able to pull off the improbable comeback if they can just get the series back to Houston for a game seven. It won’t be easy, but they might be able to do just that on Friday night.

Pick: Rockets 104, Blazers 102

It’s been a wild run in the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs. That’s putting it lightly. Wednesday night offered up the first time throughout the playoffs that a road team didn’t win, finally ending the chaos of home teams failing to come through in the clutch on their own court.

The San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets all dug deep, taking 3-2 series leads with close wins on Wednesday night. In fact, the Rockets earned their first win at home in the entire playoffs on the backs of Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik.

Houston will look to stay alive in Portland on Friday, but for now we have a new slate of three games that could push our hearts to the test. Atlanta and Memphis have unlikely 3-2 series leads over the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, respectively, while the Los Angeles Clippers look to finish their series off in Golden State with a game six win over the Warriors.

Let’s see who can advance in what figures to be another night of intense NBA action:

Indiana Pacers (1) @ Atlanta Hawks (8) – 7:00 PM ET

Indiana is such a mess that everyone would love the Hawks to steal this series at this point. The game is even in Atlanta, so it’s set up perfectly for the Hawks to pull off one of the few NBA first round upsets we have the luxury of seeing. However, a win tonight would also set Indiana up perfectly to exorcise their demons and close a seven game series out back at home.

Atlanta is a tough matchup for the Pacers because they space the floor out and unlike the Pacers, they fight and claw on every possession as a team. Expecting perfection is a bit much, though, so we’ll give the Pacers the nod.

Pick: Pacers 99, Hawks 93

Oklahoma City Thunder (2) @ Memphis Grizzlies (7) – 8:00 PM ET

Four straight overtime games. Need we say more? Memphis and OKC are engaged in a fiery series, one like we’ve never see before. Regardless of how this shakes out, NBA fans will be talking about this series for the remainder of the playoffs, while the epic clash of these two teams could go down in history as one of the best playoff series ever.

This series could easily be over already if the ball goes the other way a couple of times, while we could quite easily be headed for a fifth straight overtime contest. Memphis has the slight edge with the ability to close out the first round upset at home, but the Thunder won’t be denied of a game seven on their home floor.

Pick: Thunder 97, Grizzlies 94

Los Angeles Clippers (3) @ Golden State Warriors (6) – 10:30 PM ET

The Clips got out from under the dark cloud that is Donald Sterling and found a way to take back this series on Tuesday, stepping up with a 3-2 lead. It’s back in Golden State, though, where the pesky Warriors aren’t likely to go quietly. Los Angeles appears to be alive again, though, and will smell blood in game six, knowing they’re just one win away from round two.

Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan have been too much for Golden State to handle when they’re focused and on top of their game. Look for Griffin to take over in a big win to send L.A. to round two.

Pick: Clippers 108, Warriors 105

The Los Angeles Lakers on now on the hunt for a new head coach. Despite reports that the Lakers would be bringing back head coach Mike D’Antoni, the coach has reportedly resigned from his position.

D’Antoni had publicly voiced his desire to have his option for the 2015 season picked up, as he did not wish to enter 2014 as a lame duck coach. L.A. was unwilling to make a two-year commitment to D’Antoni, however, inevitably leading to his decision to step away from the team.

General Manager Mitch Kupchak thanked D’Antoni for his services in a statement to the media, noting the pressure and struggles D’Antoni endured in his two seasons with the team.

“Given the circumstances, I don’t know that anybody could have done a better job than Mike did the past two seasons,” Kupchak said.

Kupchak might be right. Despite a franchise worst record during the 2013-14 season, D’Antoni couldn’t have been expected to come up with many answers, as star players Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash missed most of the season, while the team dealt with numerous other injuries.

For a team that boasted the likes of Nick Young, Jodie Meeks and Jordan Hill as their best players at times, the Lakers were still surprisingly competitive for the majority of the season.

With D’Antoni gone, however, the rebuilding process takes a new turn. The Lakers were likely initially going to fill the roster back up with pieces that could appropriately fit D’Antoni’s system, but should now head into a different direction.

Of course, the logical next step will be finding L.A.’s new head coach. However, with fans and NBA analysts alike not overly impressed with D’Antoni’s stay in Los Angeles, fans can expect the Lakers to take their time in finding their next head coach.

The Cleveland Browns don’t have a ton of elite talent on offense, which is why they’re beginning the process of trying to lock up star tight end Jordan Cameron to a long-term deal now. Per reports, the two sides have engaged in long-term extension conversations, but talks have seemingly been “going on without success”.

Cameron is apparently trying to get as much money as he can from the Browns after posting career highs across the board in 2013. In his first season as a full-time starter, Cameron caught 80 balls for 917 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Cameron’s numbers are even more impressive when you consider he put them up in just 15 games and also endured inconsistency at the quarterback position throughout the season.

Cleveland doesn’t appear ready to hand Cameron top tight end money, as Cameron has only been their main tight end for one season and they’d like to see him playing at that high of a level for more than just one season.

In a perfect world the Browns would get their wish, but Cameron has an understandable angle of his own, as well. Norv Turner and his vertical offense left Cleveland for Minnesota earlier this offseason, potentially hindering Cameron’s upside in the Browns’ offense.

In addition, it can’t be overstated that the quarterback situation in Cleveland is less than ideal. At best, Cameron will have to cross his fingers that whoever the Browns draft to be their franchise passer in the 2014 NFL Draft can eventually help him continue to put up bigger numbers.

As it stands, though, both parties are at major risk. Cleveland risks over-paying a potential one-year wonder that has had a history of injuries and inconsistency. On the flip-side, Cameron is trying to get his money now before a change in system and quarterback potentially hurt his role and inevitably negatively impact his production.

Owed just over $645,000 for the 2014 season, Cameron is likely to head into the new season without a long-term deal. If the two sides can’t hammer something out by next summer, Cameron will undoubtedly be hit with the franchise tag.

Everyone knew the NBA had to and was going to make an announcement about a decision regarding Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s horrible racist remarks in a taped phone conversation. Few probably expected a life ban from the NBA.

Per reports, Sterling has officially been banned for life from any association with the Clippers or the NBA, and will also be fined the maximum $2.5 million from the NBA. Sterling’s racist views ignited disgust from many, but new NBA commissioner Adam Silver took it a step further and viewed Sterling as too big of a distraction to not eradicate completely.

The move means Sterling can never leave an imprint on anything related to the NBA ever again, while it almost certainly figures to force him to sell the Clippers, as well.

The league still needs a 75% vote from the other NBA owners to approve the removal of Sterling’s ownership, which is fully expected to take place.

Big names such as Oprah Winfrey and former Los Angeles Lakers forward Earvin “Magic” Johnson have already emerged as potential buyers with various groups. Johnson was even cited in Sterling’s racist rant and has been the subject of rumors regarding the potential buying of the soon to be available NBA franchise.

With Sterling being kept away from the team for good, Clippers president Andy Roeser will take over the day to day operation of the team.

While the business aspect has been closely monitored, the Clippers themselves appeared to breathe a sigh of relief on the court on Tuesday night. With a dark cloud removed from over their heads, Chris Paul and co. battled the Golden State Warriors on their home court, taking a 3-2 series lead. DeAndre Jordan led a spirited fight, dominating inside the paint to the tune of 25 points and 18 rebounds.

The first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs was already crazy, but on Tuesday night it got even crazier. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies entered a ridiculous fourth straight overtime game- the first time it’s ever happened in NBA history. Memphis prevailed, joining the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers as winners on a crazy night of playoff basketball.

NBA fans will cross their fingers for the insanity to ensue on Wednesday night, as the playoff schedule boasts three intense games.

The Portland Trail Blazers will try to put the finishing touches on a 3-1 lead over the Houston Rockets, while the Raptors and Nets and Spurs and Mavericks try to break tight 2-2 series ties.

While we haven’t seen four straight overtimes, the series between the Blazers has Rockets has been highly entertaining, leading to loads of points and two of the games going into overtime.

We could be headed for another overtime battle tonight, while the other two games on the night should go down to the wire, as well. To get a better idea of who might emerge victorious, let’s break all three games down and pick the winners:

Dallas Mavericks (8) @ San Antonio Spurs (1) – 7:00 PM ET

Dallas is a Vince Carter clutch three pointer away from getting smoked in this series, while they just wasted an excellent opportunity at home in game four to push the Spurs to their limit. With the series reverted back to San Antonio tonight, it looks like the Spurs have Dallas right where they have them.

Dirk Nowitzki hasn’t been a major factor throughout this series, and if Dallas is going to force a game seven he’ll need to have his best game of the series. It’s unlikely on the road against a tough Spurs defense.

Pick: Spurs 101, Mavericks 98

Brooklyn Nets (6) @ Toronto Raptors (3) – 7:30 PM ET

This has been a tight, back and forth series that many didn’t expect to be so closely contested. It’s still anyone’s guess who gets the job done, though, as the series heads back to Canada.

The Raptors are young and scrappy enough to pull it off in game five at home, but Brooklyn has to have the edge due to experience. It should be another close game, but the Nets should pull it out in the end. Kyle Lowry being less than 100% doesn’t help Toronto’s chances, either.

Pick: Nets 96, Raptors 94

Portland Trail Blazers (5) @ Houston Rockets (4) – 9:30 PM ET

While the 3-1 series lead held by Portland doesn’t show it, this has easily been a top-two series in this year’s playoffs. The Blazers could very easily walk into Houston and finish things tonight, but Houston hasn’t been blown out yet in the first round and will have something to say about it at home.

Dwight Howard has been a consistent beast all series long, so the difference will likely be what James Harden decides to show up. Houston also needs to tighten up their defense more if they want to force a game six. At home, it’s possible they figure it all out for at least one more night.

Pick: Rockets 106, Blazers 104

The Seattle Seahawks have a lot of decisions to make regarding their roster over the next couple of seasons. They can now cross a big one off the list. According to reports, the team has agreed to a new four-year, $40 million extension with star safety Earl Thomas, locking him up as a Seahawk through the 2018 NFL season.

One of the stars of Seattle’s Super Bowl run of a year ago, Thomas posted posted a career high 105 tackles in 2013, while also picking off five passes and registering eight deflected passes. The versatile safety offered excellent pass coverage to go with good play-making ability, while also providing great support against the run.

At just 25 years old, the Seahawks get Thomas locked down in his prime, and likely won’t have to worry about a new deal until he turns 29. By then, the Seahawks should be able to lock him up for the remainder of his career, while likely getting a hometown discount.

Widely respected across the league, Thomas is rumored to be even more respected than stud cornerback and teammate Richard Sherman in his own locker room. In fact, Seattle viewed Thomas as their top long-term signing priority. Seattle first had to secure unrestricted free agent defensive end Michael Bennett earlier in the off-season, but immediately upon locking Bennett up, Seattle turned their focus to negotiations with their star safety.

With the signings of Bennett and Thomas out of the way, the Seahawks can now aim to land a long-term contract agreement with the aforementioned Sherman, who is widely regarded as a top-two corner in the NFL, if not the best lockdown corner in the game.

By nailing key signings and knowing when and when not to pay top dollar for key players, the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks could be on their way to building a dynasty.

The Chicago Bulls entered the 2014 NBA Playoffs as the fourth seed. Hosting the fifth seeded Washington Wizards for the first two games, they probably didn’t expect to be in a 2-0 hole out of the gates. Barely a week later, they’re suddenly down three games to one, entering a must win situation in their game five battle at home.

The good news is that the Bulls will have a chance to keep the series alive on their own court, despite not being able to beat the Wiz in Chicago in two tries to start the series.

While Chicago tries to fight off elimination, two of the NBA’s best playoff series continue on later in the night, as we get two fiery matchups between the Thunder and Grizzlies, as well as the Clippers and Warriors.

For quick breakdowns and our picks, read on:

Washington Wizards (5) @ Chicago Bulls (4) – 8:00 PM ET

The Bulls headline our picks because their series could end tonight. While the Wizards appear to be dominating with a 3-1 lead, most of these games have actually come down to the wire. Ironically, the normally defensive-minded Bulls have not been consistent on that end of the floor, while their offense only comes in spurts.

Chicago needed an insane shooting night from Mike Dunleavy to claim their only win of this series in game three, so their backs are probably against the wall even more than we think. Still, it’s a huge game and they’re on their home court, so we’ll give them a chance to pull it out and keep the series alive.

Pick: Bulls 93, Wizards 89

Memphis Grizzlies (7) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (2) – 9:00 PM ET

Three straight overtimes. Is there more that needs to be said? Both the Thunder and Grizz simply play solid defense and great team basketball, making this game impossible to call confidently. The biggest thing is that it’s in OKC.

We can probably hang our hat on another overtime with the way this series is shaking down, and at the minimum it should go down to the wire. OKC gets the slight nod due to it being on their home floor, although it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see the Grizz flex their muscle in a close win.

Pick: Thunder 96, Grizzlies 94

Golden State Warriors (6) @ Los Angeles Clippers (3) – 10:30 PM ET

Los Angeles has a dark cloud hanging over them thanks to Donald Sterling being a racist, but if they can be professional the Clippers still have enough talent to win this series. They’ll need to take care of business with the series reverting back to L.A. on Tuesday night though, a scene head coach Doc Rivers said doesn’t feel like a “safe haven” anymore.

The Warriors need to look at tonight as the perfect opportunity to jump all over L.A. and kick them while they’re down. If they can’t, the series might be one step closer to drawing to a close.

Pick: Clippers 112, Warriors 106

Vince Young might not be done with the NFL, just yet. According to FOX 26 in Houston, the former NFL quarterback is taking a physical with the Cleveland Browns on Monday. Provided Young passes his physical, he is fully expected to join the Browns at their minicamp next week.

Despite not appearing in an NFL game since 2011, Young continues his search for a job in the NFL. While past stops with the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers haven’t led to permanent contracts, Young’s stay in Cleveland could actually last. The Brown currently have just one healthy quarterback on the roster in Alex Tanney, while current projected starter Brian Hoyer is rehabbing a knee injury.

Cleveland ended their failed experiment with former first round pick Brandon Weeden earlier in the offseason, cutting both him and Jason Campbell. Both quarterbacks are now on new rosters and they have yet to been replaced in Cleveland.

Young would clearly be a depth upgrade over Tanney, and could potentially even compete with Hoyer if he shows well during the summers. The more realistic ending scenario, however, is Young merely appearing competent and locking down the top backup spot behind Hoyer.

While Young’s current prospects look promising in Cleveland, he may soon have to worry about fighting for his spot again, as the Browns are fully expected to draft a franchise passer at some point in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Blessed with great size and athleticism, Young found early success in the league by winning games with the Tennessee Titans. Unfortunately, off field distractions and issues with his accuracy and consistency led to a falling out. Young’s most recent regular season action was with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was part of the “Dream Team”. Young threw just four touchdowns to nine interceptions in six games that season.

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers should be worried about his team winning game five in their first round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors. Instead, he’s more concerned about his team’s owner, as well as his own future with the team he was traded to from the Boston Celtics this past off-season.

The news of Clippers owner Donald Sterling being recorded making racist remarks about African Americans has already made waves. The Clippers reportedly even contemplated boycotting their game four showdown with the Warriors, but ultimately took the removal of jackets donning their team name before the start of game four as their act of defiance.

As things stand, it doesn’t appear the NBA can force Sterling to sell the team despite his crude remarks, which has apparently placed a cloud of doubt over the Clippers. That’s clearly been the case for the players and in general, but when asked about his own future with the franchise, Rivers was unsure, saying, “Don’t know yet”.

It could be a remarkable turn of events for Los Angeles, who traded for Rivers in a blockbuster deal with the Celtics and then signed him to a $21 million, three-year deal.

However, Rivers is clearly not comfortable working for an owner who seemingly looks down on African Americans and has negative racial views. As an African American himself, Rivers has been visibly shaken and disgusted, saying, “I don’t know if home is a safe haven anymore”, when asked about the Clips’ game five showdown with Golden State in Los Angeles.

For what it’s worth, Rivers and the Clippers won’t have to worry about running into Sterling at the Staples Center, as the NBA owner is expected to be fined and suspended from league activities.