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Hopefully everyone had a good Christmas. If you followed along with our Christmas Day NBA picks, you might have had a great one. We snagged three of the five games for a 3-2 mark, hopefully helping your big bets pocket some cash on the holiday of all holidays.
We’re at it again on Friday (save for the early Celtics/Nets game) as we carry our 232-119 record into tonight’s action:
Cavaliers @ Magic
LeBron James admitted his Cavs just “aren’t very good” right now, but they’re still better than the Magic. Orlando hosts a game of little defense and Nikola Vucevic should chew up their non-existent interior defense, but you still have to like the Cavs.
Pick: Cavs 109, Magic 107
Bucks @ Hawks
Milwaukee has dropped two straight and is struggling to find the right replacement for Jabari Parker, while Atlanta has continued a torrid run (winners of nine of their last 10). It’s going to be tough to go against the Hawks at home.
Pick: Hawks 104, Bucks 97
Pacers @ Pistons
Detroit comes in as losers of their last four, while the Pacers have won two straight and are almost fully healthy. Only Paul George (leg) is still out, and we could see Indy start to pull themselves back together slowly.
Pick: Pacers 101, Pistons 94
Hornets @ Thunder
Charlotte has quietly gone on a nice four-game winning streak and has been much more efficient with Lance Stephenson out of the lineup. While their recent run bodes well for the rest of the season, they’re running into a blender as they take on the Thunder in OKC.
Pick: Thunder 106, Hornets 98
Spurs @ Pelicans
San Antonio has been slipping lately, going just 3-7 over their last 10. Tony Parker is out again tonight, but you have to think a veteran Spurs team starts getting it turned around eventually.
Pick: Spurs 103, Pellies 101
Rockets @ Grizzlies
The Rockets and Grizz have combined for two blowouts, so hopefully tonight we’ll finally get a gritty defensive battle. Memphis is at home, so they’ll come in with the slight advantage.
Pick: Grizz 104, Rockets 102
Lakers @ Mavericks
L.A. is playing solid ball without Kobe Bryant (who is expected to remain out), but going into Dallas and getting a win won’t be easy. The Mavs have dropped two straight and a nice cure for their ails is a date with the Lakers.
Pick: Mavs 107, Lakers 103
Timberwolves @ Nuggets
No defense can be expected in this matchup, when the T’Wolves try to snap a six-game skid in Denver. The Nuggets have a small two-game losing streak and are 3-7 in their last 10, but this is a good night to pick them, as they’re a solid 8-6 on their home floor.
Pick: Nuggets 106, Wolves 102
Suns @ Kings
We can probably expect an offensive explosion in this contest, as Phoenix’s elite guard trio takes it to DeMarcus Cousins and the Kings. Boogie should own the inside of the paint tonight and we like the Kings at home in a firefight.
Pick: Kings 107, Suns 106
76ers @ Blazers
Portland could rest LaMarcus Aldridge again, but either way they should remain the heavy favorites against the 4-23 Sixers. Philly has actually won two straight, but that’s half of their wins on the year, so it’s probably safe to assume they’ll lose tonight.
Pick: Blazers 105, Sixers 95
