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The Hornets got blasted at home, the Hawks destroyed the Kings and the Heat couldn’t take down the Celtics as the NBA got even crazier on Monday night. We though Charlotte would keep their five-game roll going on their home floor but they burned us as we exited the first night of the new NBA week with a 6-2 mark. That’s still plenty solid and we’ll carry a stout 546-278 season record into tonight’s action.
Things slow down slightly with two less games on the schedule, but we’re in for some intense clashes as the Cavs/Mavs face off and the Raptors and Spurs go to war. Let’s break all of the matchups down and see who might be the safest picks for tonight:
Magic @ Pacers
Orlando can pack a punch offensively at times and getting center Nikola Vucevic back tonight (ankle) will help their cause. However, Indy is fairly solid at home and is on a nice five-game winning streak. If they put the defensive clamps down, they’ll take this one.
Pick: Pacers 95, Magic 93
Pelicans @ Nets
Anthony Davis dropped 43 points last night and continues his surge since returning from an injury. He should be the focus even more with Tyreke Evans out tonight. That puts New Orleans back a bit in this matchup, but Brooklyn is struggling (lost three straight), while the Pellies have won eight of 10. The Brow shall feast.
Pick: Pelicans 105, Nets 101
Cavaliers @ Mavericks
LeBron James and co. head to Dallas, where the Mavs have oddly had trouble against Eastern Conference goes. That’s good news for Cleveland, who has taken over the Central division. Dallas hasn’t looked great lately, so it’s hard to imagine them thwarting off a strong Cavs squad.
PickL Cavs 109, Mavs 104
Raptors @ Spurs
Toronto is reeling with three straight losses and the Spurs have caught fire, entering tonight with a solid five wins in a row. Tony Parker has looked fantastic in his past two outings, which could spell trouble for the visiting Raptors.
Pick: Spurs 102, Raptors 99
Knicks @ Jazz
Utah’s defensive dominance should continue when they host the Knicks tonight. New York is on the second of a back-to-back and they’re, you know, the Knicks.
Pick: Jazz 104, Knicks 88
Pistons @ Lakers
L.A. has been a tough out for a while now and they play host to a Pistons team that is falling apart in the midst of a six-game skid. This should be the perfect game for Reggie Jackson and co. to get off the schneid.
Pick: Pistons 106, Lakers 103
