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Leap year will be run off in glorious fashion on Monday night, as the NBA funnels out a solid seven-game schedule with a litany of star players in action. One of the more explosive games of the night includes DeMarcus Cousins taking on the fiery duo of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, while we also get a showdown between Paul George and LeBron James.
For those games and more, let’s take a look at the NBA betting landscape for tonight:
Rockets @ Bucks
The Rockets and Bucks square off for the second time this year, after Houston won a tight game at home back in late January. The series shifts to the Bradley Center tonight, giving the Bucks a mild advantage, as they’re a strong 16-10 on their home floor. Houston was without Dwight Howard in the previous meeting, however, and needs to get back to .500 to stay in the Western Conference playoff hunt. Look for them to get a big road win tonight.
Pick: Rockets 106, Bucks 102
Nets @ Clippers
Brooklyn lost a pretty close game to the Clippers at home earlier this year, but this time will have to take down CP3 and co. at the Staples Center. That should be difficult even with Blake Griffin sidelined, as the Clips are a tough home team (19-10). Brooklyn also has specifically been awful on the road (6-20), and it’s tough to imagine both showdowns with Los Angeles being tight affairs. A blowout win by the Clippers would not be a surprise.
Pick: Clippers 108, Nets 96
Pacers @ Cavs
Paul George continues to come up very small in big games, as he shrunk last night and has not been his elite self in two losses thus far to the superior Cavs. The George vs. LeBron battle is still a nice draw, but Cleveland gets their star back (he rested last night) and simply don’t lose much at home (24-5 at Quicken Loans Arena).
Pick: Cavs 104, Pacers 101
76ers @ Wizards
Philly is a walking disaster and has already lost two games to the Wizards. They won’t have a great chance to steal a win on the road tonight. Washington has two straight wins and could finally be building some much needed momentum. They shouldn’t let a gimme win slip through their fingers tonight.
Pick: Wiz 106, Sixers 97
Jazz @ Celtics
Utah slows the place, but both of these teams can defend and Boston is actually very solid offensively, making this a tough game to predict tonight. Gordon Hayward should be up to face his former coach (dropped 22 points on Boston last time), while both teams are pretty healthy and should give a strong, tight game. Utah smoked Boston at home earlier this year, so there’s a good amount of reason here to think the Celtics come close to returning the favor at TD Garden.
Pick: Celtics 105, Jazz 99
Grizzlies @ Nuggets
Memphis is without big man Marc Gasol but an easy schedule has kept them pretty hot (6-4 in last 10 games). Tonight their lives remain easy against a Nuggets team that can’t defend and will also be without star scorer, Danilo Gallinari. Memphis should tighten up the defense and get a nice road win.
Pick: Grizz 101, Nuggets 93
Thunder @ Kings
This looks to be the most explosive game of the night, as it boasts three superstars in Sac-town. The Kings has actually been making some progress, but have now lost two straight and may be facing an uphill battle tonight against a superior OKC squad. At full strength the Kings could be in for the upset at home, but both Rajon Rondo and Rudy gay are iffy for this one. If either (and for sure if both) are out, the Kings are in trouble.
Pick: Thunder 108, Kings 101
