They say it’s darkest right before the dawn and in Max’s case it’s true. In 1986 luminary, Jake “The Fizz” Fizzario (RIP) shot across the Las Vegas desert sky intersecting and brightening Max Steingrout’s life.

Together, they turned Las Vegas upside down with “The System,” culminating in Max Steingrout’s wrongful (& illegal) entry into The Black Book in 1991.

The Fizz (RIP) was done. Max was done. “The System” was done and, in Max’s opinion: Las Vegas was done.

The corporate takeover was complete. The last vestiges of Meyer Lansky’s crew were run out of town with Lefty Rosenthal & Co.

TCh NBA Locks ™-

Detroit +6.5 @ Cleveland                           L

Brooklyn -5.5 @ Orlando                               L

Toronto -13 vs Philadelphia                             L

Charlotte +5.5 @ Washington                          W

Atlanta -7.5 vs Boston                             W

Miami +4.5 @ Memphis                                 W

Indiana -2 @ Milwaukee                                     P

Chicago -2.5 @ Minnesota                                   W

New Orleans +6.5 vs Phoenix                               W

Houston -1.5 @ Denver                                    L

Portland -13 vs Sacramento                              L

OKC +3 @ LA Clippers                                    W

Disclaimer: The Chickenhawk’s NBA Locks™ are not for entertainment purposes. They are for making you serious amounts of ca$h. Remember: the more you bet, the more you win.