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Two days after the NBA got hit hard by a mammoth 14-game slate, the schedule comes back nearly just as big with another 12 games to send the regular week out in style on Friday night. Friday’s games are highlighted by two huge duels, with the Cavs and Heat squaring off and the Warriors heading to Houston to take on the Rockets.
And there are 10 other NBA games.
It’s going to be a wild ride, but it should be a fun one, as well. Join us as we filter through the games and make our Friday night NBA picks. We’re coming off of a strong Thursday (3-0) and march into the fray with a 12-8 straight up mark on the year:
Heat @ Cavs
Miami is at full strength this year and started off 1-0 so they could actually be a problem for the Cavs. We get a close look tonight if thay’s hyperbole or reality, while Cleveland is still without Kyrie Irving and LeBron James doesn’t look quite right. The home team has won each of the last four games, though, so we’ll side with the Cavs.
Pick: Cavs 102, Heat 99
Thunder @ Magic
OKC took down the Spurs in their opener on Wednesday and look like legit title contenders already. They really just need to stay healthy and keep chuggin’ along. Orlando will be a casualty tonight.
Pick: Thunder 106, Magic 101
Jazz @ 76ers
Utah couldn’t win their opener but now they get a Philly squad that has one legit offensive threat and can’t really defend. Jahlil Okafor is a rookie, too, and could get swallowed up by defensive stopper Rudy Gobert. It’s the Jazz, all the way.
Pick: Jazz 104, Sixers 90
Raptors @ Celtics
These two teams could be fighting for a division title later in the year and how Boston fares tonight could give us a sneak peek at what to expect. The Celtics lack star power, but they’re a pretty decent bunch and are at home. That being said, Toronto looked really good in a win on Wednesday and should have the edge here, even on the road.
Pick: Raptors 109, Celtics 106
Bulls @ Pistons
Chicago and Detroit are both 2-0, which is pretty crazy for a lot of reasons. The Bulls seem like the more stable presence though, so we’ll take them to down the Pistons in Detroit.
Pick: Bulls 104, Pistons 102
Hornets @ Hawks
Charlotte has some new pieces and could be interesting later in the year, but it’s really hard to get behind them in Atlanta. The Hawks will be without Kyle Korver tonight (ankle) and are on a back-to-back, but they’re really tough at home. That trend continues tonight against an inferior Hornets squad.
Pick: Hawks 99, Hornets 93
Wizards @ Bucks
Milwaukee looked ghastly in their opener so it’s going to be very tough to get excited about them tonight. They’re at home and generally play sound defense, but the Wiz own this series and have won seven of the last nine games. John Wall is a bad matchup for Michael Carter-Williams and I’m not sure Greg Monroe dominates Marcin Gortat and Washington’s collection of bigs.
Pick: Wiz 104, Bucks 98
Nets @ Spurs
If this was at Barclays Center…no, the Spurs would still win. Jarrett Jack could be back tonight and that would give Brooklyn a nice lift at the point, but the Spurs are so much better in so many ways. I think LaMarcus Aldridge gets things going in his second game with the Spurs, too.
Pick: Spurs 108, Nets 101
Timberwolves @ Nuggets
This could be the fastest game of the night, as both Minnesota and Denver like to push the ball and can really stroke it. Rookie point guard Emmanuel Mudiay was awesome in Wednesday and the Nuggets shocked the Rockets (and everyone) with a win. They’re at home and look pretty darn good, so we’ll give them a mild edge. Either way, craziness will ensue tonight, as one of these teams will exit at 2-0. Seriously.
Pick: Nuggets 107, T’Wolves 104
Warriors @ Rockets
Revenge will be on the brain for the Rockets tonight and they also get Dwight Howard back after a one-game suspension. But that’s not enough to take down the Warriors, who have simply dominated Houston (9-1 in last 10 meetings, including playoffs). Even on the road, it’s hard to go against the defending champs.
Pick: Warriors 106, Rockets 102
Lakers @ Kings
Another high-scoring game with no defense here, as the Lakers proved on Wednesday they can run and gun. They can’t play defense, though, so it’s tough to see them getting out of a matchup with DeMarcus Cousins alive. Roy Hibbert could play elite defense and keep him under wraps, but I doubt it.
Pick: Kings 111, Lakers 108
Blazers @ Suns
And another one. This actually could be the most explosive game of the night, as Portland showed the world they’re going to chuck it at will, while the Suns are at home and at least have the potential to put up points at a rapid rate. Phoenix didn’t even show up on Wednesday, though, and they’ve had a problem with mailing games in before. I’m not trusting them much, while Portland is one of those teams that probably shouldn’t be good (i.e., Pistons and Nuggets) but simply is.
Pick: Blazers 104, Suns 102
