MENU
Thursday night was primed to be an explosive night, but it turns out we really had no idea. Kyrie Irving went nuts with a ridiculous 57 points in an overtime win in San Antonio, Indiana outlasted the Bucks in another overtime affair and the Knicks earned just their 13th win of the season in Los Angeles. In a crazy night, the Rockets also fell to the Jazz and Memphis sat all of their studs before losing to the Wizards. Through it all, we had by far our worst night of the season with just a 1-4 record. We’re still a stout 557-288 on the year, though, and enter a jam-packed Friday night looking for a nice rebound.
Thursday just goes to show how intense battles can often go either way and just how important it is to track player injuries leading into games. We generally push our NBA picks out well before the games tip off, though, so be sure to always consider that along with our predictions. With that, it’s on to Friday night’s NBA picks:
Kings @ 76ers
Philly can sometimes play hard at home and they know how to force turnovers, but the Kings have way more talent. Look for DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay to feast in a win.
Pick: Kings 106, Sixers 101
Bulls @ Hornets
Chicago is extremely banged up and has been up and down over their last 10. Charlotte will be without Al Jefferson, though, so Pau Gasol could have his way tonight.
Pick: Bulls 101, Hornets 97
Magic @ Celtics
Orlando topped Boston the last time they faced, but this time the clash is in Boston. Isaiah Thomas is out and Nikola Vucevic is in, though, so we still like the Magic.
Pick: Magic 106, Celtics 103
Heat @ Raptors
Miami is really banged up and Toronto is pretty solid at home. The Raptors have dropped four in a row but this is a good chance for them to snap that skid.
Pick: Raptors 100, Heat 98
Timberwolves @ Thunder
Russell Westbrook got held in check in his last game and that surely won’t last. Look for him to go off at home against the inferior T’Wolves.
Pick: Thunder 109, T’Wolves 102
Clippers @ Mavericks
Chris Paul is banged up but he was phenomenal in his last game and Dallas is really struggling right now. If he’s out I’ll give the Mavs a shot, but if he’s in I can’t go against the Clips.
Pick: Clippers 109, Mavs 105
Warriors @ Nuggets
Denver has actually been pretty strong at home (and in general) lately, so they could give the Warriors a bit of a fight tonight. Golden State is also said to be resting some players in this one, so the Nuggets could be a sneaky upset pick.
Pick: Nuggets 108, Warriors 104
Hawks @ Suns
Atlanta has only been OK on the road lately and recently lost to the Nuggets and 76ers. Going into Phoenix and winning won’t be easy, but Brandon Knight (ankle) is out so I like their chances more.
Pick: Hawks 106, Suns 101
Pistons @ Trail Blazers
Reggie Jackson has been mostly awful during Detroit’s disgusting eight-game losing streak. Portland almost never loses at home and they’re by far the better team, so picking against Detroit might be the safest move of the night.
Pick: Blazers 109, Pistons 101
