2014 NBA Picks: Predicting Wednesday’s Matchups

It’s back to the hardwood crystal ball we go, as we once again try to help those making NBA bets decide which teams are worth banking on. Last night was mostly good to us again, as we survived a couple of scares to produce a solid 4-2 mark. The Bucks won and the Spurs didn’t look old, otherwise we may have had a chance at perfection.

Perfection is always goal number one, but Wednesday may make that difficult with a full schedule of nine NBA showdowns. That makes for good NBA betting, though, at the very least. To help you guide through the murky waters, we give you our NBA picks for Wednesday with our solid 59-31 season mark:

Pistons @ Wizards

Washington could be matched by Detroit’s awesome size down low, but the Wiz are the much more balanced team and Detroit has been dreadful (0-3) on the road, both this year and dating back over the last several years. They could keep it close, but the Wiz should lock this one down and get to 6-2 on the year.

Pick: Wizards 98, Pistons 94

Thunder @ Celtics

OKC is just now getting healthier, which makes them more competitive, but they’re still tough to gauge without Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Their 0-5 record on the road certainly doesn’t help matters as they travel to Boston, where a healthy Rajon Rondo (hand) awaits.

Pick: Celtics 109, Thunder 107

Jazz @ Hawks

Neither the Jazz or Hawks play particularly good defense, so we’re probably in for a bit of a shootout when the two sides square off in Atlanta tonight. That makes this a tough matchup to predict, but given Atlanta is 2-0 at home and the Jazz are shaky on the road, the Hawks are the safer pick.

Pick: Hawks 111, Jazz 105

Pacers @ Heat

This isn’t the matchup it would be if Paul George were healthy and LeBron James was still in Miami, but it could still be a defensive battle if the Pacers bring their A game. That’s unlikely to happen in Miami, especially given Indy’s sorry efforts on the road so far this year (0-3).

Pick: Heat 107, Pacers 96

Magic @ Knicks

Orlando isn’t defending the post all that well, but luckily Carmelo Anthony and co. aren’t the most prolific scoring team right now thanks to some issues with the Triangle offense. Even though the Knicks are at home, they’re awfully tough to bank on as they continue to slide on their current five-game losing streak.

Pick: Magic 103, Knicks 99

Lakers @ Pelicans

Los Angeles finally has a win and has played very tough basketball the past few games, but winning on the road is never easy and their defense has been pretty bad, overall. Expect a lot of The Brow and the Pellies move to 4-3 with a big home win.

Pick: Pelicans 118, Lakers 112

Nets @ Suns

Phoenix continues to give up way too many points defensively, but they still have a shot to win on a nightly basis thanks to their own high-powered offense. Both will need to be in check tonight, though, as the Nets bring quality offense to the table, as well, and are a much better defensive team. The difference could be that this one is in Phoenix, where the Suns are at their best.

Pick: Suns 104, Nets 102

Blazers @ Nuggets

Denver’s interior defense has been atrocious, making life likely hard on them tonight when LaMarcus Aldridge and the Blazers come to own. Ridge should have his way inside, as could centers Chris Kaman and Robin Lopez. The Nuggets are free falling and could drop their sixth straight.

Pick: Blazers 105, Nuggets 95

Rockets @ Timberwolves

The last game of the night has James Harden and Dwight Howard heading to Minnesota, where they’ll try to keep pace with the Memphis Grizzlies atop the Southwest division. That shouldn’t be too difficult against the T’Wolves, who are giving up over 101 points per game and have just one win at home.

Pick: Rockets 109, Timberwolves 94