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Last we saw the NBA on Saturday, we exited the night with a 2-0 run via our NBA picks. After a two-day hiatus, we’re back on Tuesday with a five-game slate. NBA preseason games are tough to pick, but we’ve knocked out our first three with ease and will aim to do more of the same tonight. Let’s get to it:
Milwaukee Bucks @ Chicago Bulls
Derrick Rose is missing some time with an orbital fracture, which should have the Bulls a little short-handed on Tuesday night. That’s not a situation the Bulls aren’t used to, of course, as Jimmy Butler, Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol should be enough to get Chicago a win tonight. They also have Nikola Mirotic and could get strong play out of reserves Aaron Brooks, Tony Snell and Doug McDermott. The Bucks are no slouches, but they’re on the road and Jabari Parker still isn’t 100% and Greg Monroe still will be getting his footing with his new squad.
Pick: Bulls 104, Bucks 97
Denver Nuggets @ Dallas Mavericks
Chandler Parsons and Wesley Matthews both should remain out due to injury issues, while veterans like Dirk Nowitzki and Deron Williams shouldn’t see a ton of run, either. That could put the usually superior Mavs at a bit of a disadvantage tonight, while Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler and Emmanuel Mudiay try to push the pace. This could easily still tilt in favor of Dallas, but this might be the best upset try of the night.
Pick: Nuggets 106, Mavs 103
Philadelphia 76ers @ Washington Wizards
Philly is really hurting at the point and Nik Stauskas has a leg issue that should keep them out. The Wiz may not play their top guys a ton in this matchup, but they’re at home and simply have so much more talent, it’s not even funny. It will be fun to see what Jahlil Okafor can do, but the Wiz should roll, even in the preseason.
Pick: Wiz 109, 76ers 88
Indiana Pacers @ Detroit Pistons
The Pistons and Pacers is a classic matchup, although both of these teams look a lot different already than they did just one year ago. Paul George should see more work at the four spot again, which could help the Pacers run more and make this a pretty nice up-tempo game. That being said, Detroit oddly may have the defensive edge with Andre Drummond dominating the paint. Detroit is also at home, so they look like the mild favorites.
Pick: Pistons 101, Pacers 96
Houston Rockets @ Memphis Grizzlies
A gritty defensive/divisional showdown during the regular season, it’s possible we get very limited action from top studs like James Harden, Dwight Howard and Marc Gasol. Memphis has a small edge at home, especially since they’re the better defensive squad. It will be interesting to see what Ty Lawson’s immediate impact will be, but with Mike Conley on him, it may not be amazing right away. Memphis has the narrow edge in the depth department, as well.
Pick: Grizz 95, Rockets 92
