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Friday was another classic backwards NBA circus, as numerous star players delivered awful performances and random role players went nuts. Luckily none of that impacted our NBA picks for the most part, as we were able to escape the mess with a solid 10-3 mark, pushing our season record to 634-326. Things could have gone even better, but the Cavaliers couldn’t take down the Nets and the Kings and Jazz both lost on the road.
We have a much lighter slate coming at us on Saturday, which should give us plenty of time to soak up all the information we need to make the right calls. Tonight offers a rather tricky lineup, as all five matchups have very clear favorites and seem easy to pick right off the bat. Let’s take a closer look and see if that’s the reality:
Hawks @ Hornets
Atlanta heads to Charlotte on Saturday to take on the Hornets, who have dropped three in a row and are just 16-19 on their own floor. The Hawks look to be getting back on track with two straight wins and should disposes easily of the inferior Hornets.
Pick: Hawks 104, Hornets 97
Knicks @ Bulls
Chicago is almost 100% with Derrick Rose nearing a return and they’re at home against the Knicks. New York has lost six in a row and has won just five times on the road all season, so everyone will be taking the Bulls tonight.
Pick: Bulls 107, Knicks 96
Warriors @ Bucks
Milwaukee has two nice wins in a row and is at home, but they’re not going to be much of a match for a white hot Warriors squad (eight straight wins). Their defense could keep things interesting, but the Warriors are the best team in the league for a reason.
Pick: Warriors 108, Bucks 101
Thunder @ Jazz
The Thunder will move forward tonight without Kevin Durant, who has officially been ruled out for the year. That will mean it’s all on Russell Westbrook, who will try to lead OKC on the road against a tough Jazz squad. Utah is trending in the wrong direction, though, with four losses in a row.
Pick: Thunder 103, Jazz 100
Nuggets @ Trail Blazers
Portland was looking rough for a while due to injuries, but LaMarcus Adridge is back and the Blazers will be searching for their third win in a row. Denver can make things interesting with an up tempo offense, but their defense is awful and they struggle on the road (11-25). Portland, meanwhile, is a staggering 28-7 on their home floor.
Pick: Blazers 105, Nuggets 102
