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Thursday night was an interesting night of basketball. The Dallas Mavericks completely obliterated the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Memphis Grizzlies stormed back from a huge hole to beat the Sacramento Kings. We got those two games right in the end, as well as the Warriors over the Nets at home. We did not see the Bulls topping a good Raptors team on the road, though.
Still, we ended Thursday with a solid 3-1 mark and head into Friday’s NBA action with a stellar 69-34 record on the year. With a full slate of games (10) to pick tonight, let’s get right to it:
Nuggets @ Pacers
Denver has been absolutely atrocious. Brian Shaw has no clue what lineup to use and the Nugs have one win on the year. Indiana has it bad, too, but not nearly as bad as the Nuggets. The Pacers are at home and actually play some defense, too, while a red hot Roy Hibbert could feast down low. You have to go with Indy tonight.
Pick: Pacers 101, Nuggets 89
Bucks @ Magic
Milwaukee has surprised as a very competitive team that has a nice defensive edge. Orlando, on the other hand, has been in literally every single game this year and seems to be getting better by the day. This should be a very closely contested content, but it’s hard not to like the Magic at home, especially if they get Victor Oladipo back.
Pick: Magic 99, Bucks 96
Heat @ Hawks
Dwyane Wade will miss Friday night’s game with the Hawks, which doesn’t bode well for a Miami squad that will be on the road against a pretty dangerous Atlanta team. Kyle Korver and Paul Millsap are both on fire and that may be too much for Chris Bosh to handle on his own.
Pick: Hawks 105, Heat 99
Cavaliers @ Celtics
Boston has been pretty competitive this year, but they can’t do anything right on defense. That’s not good news for when LeBron James and the Cavs stroll into town tonight.
Pick: Cavs 107, Celtics 102
Jazz @ Knicks
Carmelo Anthony has been in a bit of a groove but the Knicks as a whole are still struggling on offense. That shouldn’t be the case against Utah’s putrid defense as home. Expect a back and forth game and for the Knicks to end their awful six-game slide.
Pick: Knicks 107, Jazz 103
Timberwolves @ Pelicans
Thaddeus Young is out tonight due to a death in the family, hurting Minnesota’s odds of winning this one even more. The Pellies are slowly becoming one of the best young teams in the league, so they’re a pretty safe pick at home tonight.
Pick: Pelicans 111, Timberwolves 97
Pistons @ Thunder
Brandon Jennings is fresh off of an excellent performance, but he’s impossible to predict, while the Pistons are usually bad on the road. OKC is still severely depleted, but they’ve been getting some bodies back and have found most of their success this year at home.
Pick: Thunder 98, Pistons 90
76ers @ Rockets
Philly looked abysmal last night despite getting Michael Carter-Williams back, so there’s nothing to like about them in Houston tonight. James Harden and Dwight Howard shall feast in a home blowout.
Pick: Rockets 122, 76ers 104
Hornets @ Suns
Phoenix has been strong at home and can make anyone run, but they remain a team that can go down at anytime due to very weak defense. Charlotte, meanwhile, is a much better defensive team and could look to slow the pace. That won’t be easy without defensive stopper Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, however.
Pick: Suns 102, Hornets 98
Spurs @ Lakers
Kobe Bryant has been getting his and the Lakers aren’t winless anymore, but competing and beating a team like the Spurs are two very different things. San Antonio could rest their best players and they’d still probably win this game.
Pick: Spurs 106, Lakers 92
