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The end has finally come. The 2014-15 NBA regular season officially wraps up tonight, but not before we find out who is officially in this year’s playoffs and what all of the seeding will be. We got a little closer to seeing how things might shape out last night, as we went 2-1 with our daily NBA picks despite the Toronto Raptors coming up lame in Boston in their bid to secure the East’s #3 seed. The Pacers and Clippers took care of business, though, helping us tack the two wins onto our 723-360 season record and send us into a chaotic Wednesday night.
Tonight is a dream for basketball betting pros, as just two of the league’s teams won’t be hitting the hardwood. A whopping 14 games are at our disposal, and a lot of them have major playoff implications. With that being said, be sure to stay on top of all the latest news, know who is resting or will be limited and pay a little mind to some quick insight as we hand out our final NBA picks of the regular season:
Hornets @ Raptors
Toronto lost a shot at the #3 seed so they’ll likely rest most of their guys, but they’re at home and the Hornets are both bad and have nothing to play for. Look for Toronto to get win number 49 to close out the regular season strong.
Pick: Raps 106, Hornets 94
Spurs @ Pelicans
Both of these teams have a ton to play for, as New Orleans as a shot at making the playoffs for the first time in the Anthony Davis era, while the Spurs can steal their division title. It’s taken an insane 11-game winning streak to get the Spurs here, and as badly as the Pellies may want the playoffs, betting against San Antonio seems silly.
Pick: Spurs 108, Pelicans 104
Hawks @ Bulls
Atlanta and Chicago should both limit a lot of their guys, but the Bulls should keep Derrick Rose in for much of the game to get him ready for the playoffs. Nikola Mirotic and Taj Gibson should get extra run with Joakim Noah sitting out, too, which should give Chicago enough to notch their 50th win of the year.
Pick: Bulls 102, Hawks 101
Wizards @ Cavaliers
Neither Washington or Cleveland have anything to play for so it should be a battle of the bench between these two squads. The Cavs might let their starters take the floor to build an early lead, while everyone from the Wiz should be worn down from last night’s 2OT game. Cleveland has a slight edge at home in a meaningless affair.
Pick: Cavs 106, Wiz 101
Trail Blazers @ Mavericks
Another game that means very little, as Dallas is locked into the 7th seed and the Blazers are locked into the 4th seed. We should expect to see the starters for both sides early on to get a groove going heading into the playoffs, but Chandler Parsons won’t be around. Portland will be without C.J. McCollum, too, so the depth in Dallas might take the cake here.
Pick: Mavs 107, Blazers 104
Jazz @ Rockets
The Jazz are going to be a tough out in Houston’s plight to take the Southwest division, but ultimately all that matters is they’re at home and their eye is on the prize. James Harden can’t be denied and Dwight Howard will be in the lineup to help the Rockets inch closer to possibly snagging the #2 overall seed out West.
Pick: Rockets 105, Jazz 97
Celtics @ Bucks
Boston and Milwaukee enter tonight’s showdown with nothing to gain in terms of playoff seeding, but both teams have winning streaks (five and three in a row) and neither will want to end the year with a loss in their regular season finale. Milwaukee plays host and actually plays some defense, though, so they’re the safer pick.
Pick: Bucks 102, Celtics 98
Thunder @ Timberwolves
Russell Westbrook is trying to will his Thunder into the West’s final playoff spot and all he needs to do is get a win and hope the Spurs take down the Pellies. OKC should take care of their half, as Minnesota is banged up and is easily the inferior squad.
Pick: Thunder 109, T’Wolves 102
Magic @ Nets
Orlando can play spoiler tonight, as the Nets try to secure the East’s final playoff spot by taking care of business on their home floor. Brooklyn hasn’t been doing a great job of that of late, but the Magic are pretty weak (lost seven of their last 10) and this is a huge game. Brooklyn still needs the Pacers to lose to get in, but they know they have to do their part first.
Pick: Nets 104, Magic 99
Pistons @ Knicks
This one is beyond meaningless, as the Knicks could actually get a third win in a row at home to end the year. That isn’t probable at all for a team that has won just 17 times all year, while Detroit comes in at full health and will want to cap the season with a big road win.
Pick: Pistons 106, Knicks 95
Heat @ 76ers
Miami is an interesting team to watch tonight, since they’ve been eliminated from the playoff race. That could lead to them sitting all of their main guys when they head into Philly tonight. That doesn’t mean the Heat can’t finish the season strong, but they’re on the road with nothing to play for. The Sixers should be a solid upset pick.
Pick: Sixers 101, Heat 96
Pacers @ Grizzlies
Indy’s season is on the line when they head to Memphis tonight, where the Grizzlies also look to finish strong and earn a shot at the Southwest division. The Grizz will need both San Antonio and Houston to lose to have a chance at snagging the division title, but they’re still alive in their pursuit for the hardware. This one could come down to the health of the Grizz, as Mike Conley and Marc Gasol are both pretty banged up. Indiana spent a lot of energy getting by the Wizards in a 2OT marathon session last night, so if Memphis comes to play I think they’re in trouble.
Pick: Grizz 104, Pacers 101
Nuggets @ Warriors
Denver will look to close out the season strong, while the Warriors have nothing left to play for and could limit their key players. Head coach Steve Kerr still intends to start his usual guys, though, and Golden State won’t be too keen on allowing Denver to be just the third team to win at Oracle Arena this year. Starters or not, the Warriors should roll.
Pick: Warriors 107, Nuggets 102
Kings @ Lakers
In oddly what could end up being the game of the night, the Kings take on the Lakers for the second game in a row. These two teams play little defense and can explode offensively, so you can chase the Total and hope for a close, up-tempo affair. Jordan Clarkson is on the fence (ankle) for this one, and if he’s out the Kings have to be the call.
Pick: Kings 109, Lakers 106
