Free NBA Picks For Monday, 3/23

After sitting out of Saturday’s NBA picks we shook the rust off to go a solid 8-3 (609-312 on the season) on a heavy 11-game Sunday night. That was a great way to end the week, but we were actually fairly close to an epic run, had the Wizards not come up totally lame in Sacramento and the Celtics not fallen to the Pistons in overtime. There was no getting by Denver taking down the Magic 119-100 in Orlando, however.

We’ll take the solid record and march into a lighter Monday, where we get the week started with a soft six-game schedule:

Rockets @ Pacers

James Harden absolutely destroyed the Pacers the last time these two teams faces, while it’s probably already difficult to side with an Indiana squad that has dropped five games in a row.

Pick: Rockets 105, Pacers 97

Celtics @ Nets

Brooklyn has been up and down all year, but for the moment they’ve won two in a row and host a Celtics team that is one a three-game skid. Boston holds a 2-1 series lead on the year, so look for the Nets to try to even things up at the Barclays Center tonight.

Pick: Nets 104, Celtics 102

Grizzlies @ Knicks

Memphis does have a bad habit of losing to inferior teams on the road, but let’s be serious here. The Knicks are bad as it is and now Alexey Shved is banged up. Memphis should roll.

Pick: Grizz 108, Knicks 95

Hornets @ Bulls

Charlotte has been able to put the defensive clamps down on the Bulls this year, as they stroll into the United Center with a 2-1 series lead. The Bulls badly need to get wins to have a shot at winning their division and are at home, though, so look for Chicago to step up. It doesn’t hurt that Taj Gibson is back and healthy, either.

Pick: Bulls 101, Hornets 97

Timberwolves @ Jazz

The Jazz have been one of the hottest teams in the league since the All-Star break and will look to continue their stellar run with their eighth win in 11 games tonight. Minnesota is severely depleted by injuries and if Ricky Rubio sits out, they won’t have much of a chance against Utah’s elite defense. Add in the fact that it’s in Utah, and the Timberwolves are probably in serious trouble.

Pick: Jazz 90, T’Wolves 84

Wizards @ Warriors

After seeing the Wiz get crushed by the Kings last night, it’s borderline impossible to pick them over the Warriors. Golden State has two losses at home on the year and we’re supposed to buy the Wizards coming into town and dominating after getting beat down last night. It’s doubtful.

Pick: Warriors 106, Wizards 101