NBA Picks For Wednesday, 1/14

Mo Williams dropped 52 points, LeBron James returned and Dwyane Wade went down again as we enjoyed a sweet 6-1 Tuesday night. We blame the Indiana Pacers for not knowing how to cover Mo freaking Williams, while allowing Minnesota to snap an ugly 15-game losing streak (on the Pacers’ home floor, no less). Other than that, we had a terrific night and if you went with our logic and NBA picks, you probably did, too.

Wednesday is always good for a chaotic night of pro basketball, and tonight is no different with an insane 10 games waiting to be broken down. We enter a new night of chaos with a 312-162 season record:

Spurs @ Hornets

Don’t look now, but the Hornets are riding a sweet five-game winning streak and have returned to playing stingy defense. That’s bad news for the Spurs, who will search for a win on the road after going just 5-5 in their last 10. The problem is it’s still Charlotte and they have to lose sometime. Tonight against the Spurs makes sense.

Pick: Spurs 99, Hornets 94

Rockets @ Magic

Orlando got a big win over the Bulls the other night and tonight they’ll host the Rockets, while also welcoming Dwight Howard back to his old stomping grounds. Orlando can compete with just about anyone, but Houston has won four straight and is playing extremely balanced basketball. As long as Howard suits up, I like the Rockets.

Pick: Rockets 109, Magic 107

Grizzlies @ Nets

Kevin Garnett is out thanks to a one-game suspension and Jeff Green might make his Grizz debut, but the reality is Memphis is quite good and the Nets are reeling with six straight losses. It’s going to be awfully hard not to take Memphis in this one.

Pick: Grizzlies 105, Nets 102

76ers @ Raptors

Toronto has tripped up a bit, going just 4-6 in their last 10, but they’re still pretty tough at home (15-5 on the year) and this is the Sixers we’re talking about. Philly is on the second of a back to back and is atrocious on the road (and in general), so the call is easy.

Pick: Raps 111, Sixers 97

Pelicans @ Pistons

Detroit’s hot run keeps on trucking, as they’ve won nine out of their last 10 and don’t appear to be slowing down for anyone. New Orleans is a tough opponent, but Jrue Holiday (ankle) is out and the Pistons get this one at home.

Pick: Pistons 104, Pellies 102

Wizards @ Bulls

Chicago might be the most inconsistent elite team in the East, but they should have a decent chance of upending the visiting Wizards tonight. The season series is split to this point and the Bulls will want to pay the Wiz back for a 102-86 loss last week.

Pick: Bulls 101, Wiz 98

Hawks @ Celtics

Atlanta rested their key players and still smoked the 76ers last night, so they’ll be all rested up to take on the Celtics in Boston. Boston can run with Atlanta but their defense is trash, so the Hawks are one of the easier picks on the night.

Pick: Hawks 106, Celtics 100

Mavericks @ Nuggets

Dallas just got done with an intense overtime win in Sacramento, so they’re a dangerous team to pick tonight. They’ll surely be tired and will have to to try come out and run with the Nuggets in Denver. That makes the Nuggets (winners of four straight) a sneaky upset pick.

Pick: Nuggets 108, Mavs 104

Clippers @ Trail Blazers

The game of the night has the Clips heading to Portland, where the Blazers will try to even the season series. L.A. stole the first one in an obvious shootout, and we’re likely headed for a similar showdown tonight. Portland is virtually unstoppable at home, though (18-3), so we’ll take the Blazers.

Pick: Blazers 109, Clippers 106

Heat @ Warriors

Dwyane Wade hurt his hamstring last night and is extremely doubtful to face the Warriors in Golden State. The Heat were probably going to lose anyways, but now it’s almost official with Stephen Curry’s crew having lost just one game on their home court all year.

Pick: Warriors 107, Heat 95