The NBA is back in full force on Friday night, as the regular work week is capped with an intense 10-game slate. That’s quite the spike from a yawn-inducing Thursday schedule, which gave us just four games to keep tabs on. We still hit our Thursday picks out of the park, though, going 4-0 on the night.
Going 10-0 could prove to be rather difficult on this slate, and it might even beg us to go away from just straight up or spread picks, and roll more with some totals. Whatever the case, this one begs to be broken down, so let’s get to it:
Line: Nets -3.5 Total: 211
Philly tries to avoid losing a 14th straight game, tonight, as they welcome the Nets to town. Brooklyn is finding some wins here and there, but have dropped their last two and come in sporting a horrendous road record (7-24). Luckily the Sixers have been stuck on 8 wins for what seems like forever and are a smidgen better at home (5-26) than they are on the road. This is actually a good spot for the Sixers to steal a win, but with Jahlil Okafor likely out again, it’s going to be tough to vouch for them.
Pick: Nets 106, Sixers 102
Line: Hornets -4.5 Total: 202
The Hornets are still going strong at home (23-9) and welcome Detroit into town as they try to win a sixth consecutive game. The odds favor them even though the Pistons sport a two-game winning streak, as Detroit is just 14-20 away from home and looked over-matched against Charlotte in a 20-point defeat back in December. The Hornets are healthy and play well at home, plus Kemba Walker is insanely hot these days.
Pick: Hornets 104, Pistons 96
Line: Celtics -6 Total: 223
The total is pretty gaudy here, as the Celtics and Rockets both sport very potent offenses and Houston specifically does not defend at all. That all gives Boston the clear edge at home at TD Garden, while they already dismantled the Rockets fairly easily earlier this year. I think the Rockets make a game of it and beat the spread, though, while chasing this total is a bit ambitious.
Pick: Celtics 105, Rockets 101
Line: Heat -2.5 Total: 201.5
Jimmy Butler is scheduled to miss another game (knee) and Dwyane Wade is also questionable. The two could cancel each other out, while the Heat are a little less formidable (16-15) on the road this year. That being said, they have a pretty strong lineup even without Wade, and he still might suit up. Chicago really has been reeling for a while now and is playing on the second of a back to back set. They’ve been good at home (21-11) all year, but I don’t trust them in the least.
Pick: Heat 101, Bulls 97
Line: Thunder -12 Total: 225.5
We can expect a good amount of points in this one, as the last meeting had two quality offenses combine for a ridiculous 249 points. The other two meetings were a little more tame, but we can expect good offense in this one. OKC is going to win, though, as they’re beastly (26-8) at home and are already up 3-0 in this season series. Minnesota has played them tight twice, though, so I think they can beat the spread. I wouldn’t be chasing the total, but it’s not totally crazy given the last meeting.
Pick: Thunder 111, Wolves 104
Line: Pelicans -1.5 Total: 202.5
Anthony Davis could be in for a big night tonight, as he travels to take on a Grizzlies team that is already without center Marc Gasol (foot) and also could be without both Mike Conley and Zach Randolph. The Grizzlies held serve in Cleveland a couple of days ago, but showed their true colors in a blowout loss to the Celtics. New Orleans doesn’t defend and they’re awful (7-24) on the road, but Jrue Holiday and The Brow are playing well enough to get them a nice road win against a depleted Memphis squad.
Pick: Pellies 106, Grizzlies 104
Line: Jazz -3.5 Total: 198
Paces clash in this one, as the fast-paced Wiz could run into a brick wall in Utah tonight. The Jazz play sound defense, are pretty good at home (19-13) and also play at a slower pace. That being said, Washington tends to enforce their will offensively and I’m not sure the Jazz have anyone that can slow down John Wall. This is still a tricky call, because both of these teams are reeling, with Washington having lost their past three games and Utah regressing mightily with a 2-8 record in their last 10 games. In a bit of a toss up, I’ll take the home team, but not necessarily to cover.
Pick: Jazz 98, Wiz 96
Line: Kings -1 Total: 221
We can probably expect a good amount of points tonight, but they won’t be coming from DeMarcus Cousins (suspended) or Nikola Vucevic (groin injury). Both are out and we also could see Elfrid Payton, Marco Belinelli, Ben McLemore and Seth Curry all sit out of this one. Not a whole lot changes in terms of competition, but Sacramento probably has the leg up, as Rajon Rondo and Rudy Gay will still be around and they get to play this one at home. Orlando’s road record is the real problem (10-20), and it was on full display recently in a bad loss to the Lakers.
Pick: Kings 109, Magic 106
Line: Warriors -12.5 Total: 227
This could be the game of the night if Portland brings its A game, like they did not too long ago when Portland blasted the Warriors behind Damian Lillard’s 51-point night. That wasn’t at the Oracle Arena, though, and it’s tough to imagine Golden State allowing the Blazers to be the first team to take them down at home this year. I’ll take the over on the total and I think the Blazers can make this one a game (beat the spread), but I can’t go against the Dubs on their home floor.
Pick: Warriors 121, Blazers 115
Line: Clippers -10 Total: 202.5
Blake Griffin continues to miss time, but the Clippers have remained quite strong without him (6-4 through last 10 games, 21-1 at home). New York isn’t the scariest of opponents, either, as they’re awful away from home (11-21) and their best perimeter defender (Arron Afflalo) has already been ruled out for tonight’s meeting. New York could give it a go, but ultimately they’re not going to have enough to steal the show at the Staples Center.
Pick: Clippers 109, Knicks 94
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