Monday night kicked off another exciting week of NBA action, as we picked all six games (6-0) correctly to move up our 2014-15 NBA Picks record to 24-6 on the season. We strive to nail our picks each day to help anyone laying down NBA bets, so we’re back at it again for a big Tuesday filled with NBA action.
The hardwood excitement gets started with some 7:00 pm ET games and is capped off by the Lakers and Suns at 10:30 pm ET. Let’s take a quick look at each matchup for the night and see who you may want to be betting on:
Bucks @ Pacers
Milwaukee has some nice young talent and they’re looking like they’ll be pretty competitive this year, while the Pacers remain spirited despite being extremely banged up. I still prefer Indy’s coaching and veteran leadership, while this one being in Indiana certainly doesn’t hurt. The Deer are 0-2 on the road so far, and I don’t expect that to change, although this should be a good game.
Pick: Pacers 97, Bucks 95
Thunder @ Raptors
OKC is severely depleted, but they do have Reggie Jackson back in the fold, as he returned on Monday night. He’s not enough to go into Toronto and upend the Raptors, though. The Raptors are 2-1, healthy and right now a much deeper and more talented team than the Thunder.
Pick: Raptors 106, Thunder 98
Rockets @ Heat
It’s the battle of unbeatens from both conferences. The Rockets have been pretty impressive during a 4-0 start and Miami has proven to be very solid even without LeBron James (3-0). Houston has more star talent and might have more depth, so they could steal this one even though it’s in South Beach.
Pick: Rockets 107, Heat 103
Wizards @ Knicks
New York is looking like a potential playoff team at the moment, while the Wiz are one of the better teams on the rise. It’s always tough to pick a game against the Knicks at the Garden, but Washington is the better team on paper. It should be a close one, but the Wiz are tough to handle down low and should squeak it out.
Pick: Wizards 104, Knicks 101
Hornets @ Pelicans
Two defensive-minded teams square off tonight, as Anthony Davis and the Pellies host Al Jefferson and the Hornets. Both teams are just 1-2 to start the year, but both are probably playoff teams and have some real talent down low. New Orleans wins the battle of the paint, though, so the Hornets will need some serious outside shooting to sneak this one away.
Pick: Pelicans 99, Hornets 94
Magic @ Bulls
Orlando is definitely talented and getting better, but they’re winless and on the road. Chicago, meanwhile, could be getting both Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose back for this game, while they’d probably be the favorite even without them.
Pick: Bulls 103, Magic 95
Cavaliers @ Blazers
LeBron James and the Cavs head to Portland to try to get to 2-1, while the Blazers try to get to .500 and stay atop their division, as well. Cleveland easily has more talent, but their early games are arguable toss-ups due to chemistry and defense concerns. It’s hard to bet against King James, though, so we’ll give Cleveland the benefit of the doubt.
Pick: Cavs 98, Blazers 93
Suns @ Lakers
Early in the year, it’s tough to call the right upsets. Generally the teams that are supposed to win do win, but you always have to keep your eye out for those bottom feeders that snag an unlikely win. I think tonight is the night for the 0-4 Lakers. Their defense is atrocious, but they’re at home and they’ve gotten really close to pulling out a victory in each of their last two contests. I think they finally get their first win of the year here.
Pick: Lakers 112, Suns 110