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The San Antonio Spurs once again burned us to keep us from being perfect on Tuesday night, but we walk into the fire of a 13-game Wednesday night unfazed. At least the Phoenix Suns took care of business to get us to 1-1 on the night and 277-145 on the year.
What’s crazier than the Spurs losing at home on a two-game night? How about losing at home to the Detroit Pistons? Even crazier, though, is Brandon Jennings making a game-winning layup with under a second to go to give the Pistons a fifth straight win.
Gee, I wonder if the Pistons like playing without Josh Smith (bazinga!).
That’s enough Pistons talk. We have a full boat tonight and you need our picks. Here goes:
Rockets @ Cavaliers
LeBron James is still out so the struggling Cavs could be in a bad spot when they host the visiting Rockets. With no inside resistance, Houston should have it’s way tonight.
Pick: Rockets 108, Cavs 102
Bucks @ 76ers
Philly just beat the Cavs the other day, so they got their one random token win. Milwaukee will be tired after barely losing to the Suns, but they know they need to win games like this. Even on the road, you have to like the Bucks in this one.
Pick: Bucks 107, 76ers 101
Knicks @ Wizards
Carmelo Anthony (knee) is out and the Knicks are just about dead. Washington is beastly on their home floor anyway, so you can send this one in, gift-wrapped.
Pick: Wiz 109, Knicks 84
Pelicans @ Hornets
Kemba Walker has carried his Hornets to two straight wins thanks to 63 total points in his last two games, but he’s too erratic to keep that up for a third game in a row. I’m betting against him specifically, as the Hornets desperately need him to be a hero with Al Jefferson still sidelined.
Pick: Pellies 105, Hornets 97
Grizzlies @ Hawks
Atlanta is the best team in the East and hosts a very good Grizzlies team with a five game roll. Memphis is stout and could easily win, but Zach Randolph may sit again and it’s not an easy road game. I’m going with the Hawks.
Pick: Hawks 102, Grizzlies 101
Celtics @ Nets
The Nets and Celtics are both struggling at the moment, but Brooklyn hosts and has been the better team on the year. I’ll take Jarrett Jack over whatever the Celtics have at the point right now, while Brook Lopez actually playing well has to provide a boost down low, as well.
Pick: Nets 103, Celtics 101
Jazz @ Bulls
Utah should be without Enes Kanter and Trey Burke again tonight, which makes winning in Chicago extra hard tonight. The Bulls could be without Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, too, but they still hold the clear edge.
Pick: Bulls 96, Jazz 90
Pistons @ Mavericks
Someone’s winning streak has to snap tonight. The Pistons (five straight wins) head to Dallas (six), where the Mavs have dropped five games all year. Detroit did just beat the Spurs, but it’s obvious Dallas is the better team and the Pistons’ wild run has to die sometime.
Pick: Mavs 109, Pistons 103
Magic @ Nuggets
Orlando could eat Denver up down low with Nikola Vucevic and Tobias Harris, but they’ve dropped three straight and haven’t been particularly impressive on the road (at home, either, really). Denver has won two in a row and has enough muscle inside to contest the Magic on their home floor. A good outing from Ty Lawson should put them over the top.
Pick: Nuggets 105, Magic 102
Suns @ Timberwolves
Phoenix is running wild on offense right now and will enter Minnesota with a nice three-game roll. The T’Wolves have been competitive and can put up points, but that’s not much good when you’ve lost 12 in a row. It’s looking like number 13 tonight.
Pick: Suns 108, T’Wolves 105
Thunder @ Kings
OKC was simply pathetic in Golden State the other night, so we should expect a big bounce back effort in Sac-town. DeMarcus Cousins could help make it close, but the Thunder can’t be that bad two games in a row and they know they need wins.
Pick: Thunder 106, Kings 104
Pacers @ Warriors
The Warriors are just insanely good in general, but probably at another level when at home. Sorry, Pacers.
Pick: Warriors 104, Pacers 88
Lakers @ Clippers
Both teams get a home game against each other tonight, which ultimately favors the Clippers (we guess?). The Clips are simply the better team, regardless of whether or not Kobe Bryant suits up. L.A. actually has been pretty competitive, but Blake Griffin destroyed them for 39 points last time, so it doesn’t look good.
Pick: Clips 111, Lakers 106
