The Bucks took care of the Pacers in Thursday night’s lone NBA contest, as we strolled to an easy 1-0 night. We enter a huge Friday with a still stout 624-323 season record and aim to add several more wins via our NBA picks during a huge 13-game slate.
The action gets started at 7:00 pm with three games and rolls strong all the way until Portland and Phoenix cap us off at 10:00 pm. Let’s break down each matchup quickly and see who the safest plays are tonight for NBA betting purposes:
Pistons @ Magic
Detroit comes into Orlando hot as point guard Reggie Jackson has really turned it on during a nice three-game winning streak. Orlando can be very competitive, but they’ve dropped two in a row and the Pistons have pretty much owned this series. They should have a nice shot at taking the season series 3-1 tonight.
Pick: Pistons 105, Magic 101
Clippers @ 76ers
The Sixers are terrible and the Clippers just destroyed the Knicks the other day. This game could be over at the break.
Pick: Clips 112, Sixers 89
Hornets @ Wizards
The Wizards are in the midst of another one of their classic losing streaks, as they’ll host Charlotte after dropping their past four contests. The Hornets haven’t fared much better and will have Al Jefferson at less than 100%, so the Wiz are probably the way to go at home.
Pick: Wiz 98, Hornets 92
Heat @ Hawks
Atlanta has been up and down lately but they’re back at home (where they’re a remarkable 30-5) and Miami should be sans Dwyane Wade. Advantage: Hawks.
Pick: Hawks 107, Heat 96
Cavaliers @ Nets
Cleveland just housed the Grizzlies in Memphis so they’ll be playing with supreme confidence tonight as they take on the Nets in Brooklyn. Brook Lopez has been unstoppable, but Cleveland has the Nets’ number (up 3-0 in the season series). Look for the Cavs to finish off a season sweep.
Pick: Cavs 106, Nets 103
Celtics @ Knicks
Isaiah Thomas is back and the Knicks are both terrible and extra banged up than normal. Boston should have a nice game at The Garden tonight.
Pick: Celtics 110, Knicks 97
Lakers @ Raptors
Kyle Lowry is out yet again, but the Raptors have everyone else and they’re at home. Plus, it’s the freaking Lakers, who are 8-27 away from home all year.
Pick: Raptors 106, Lakers 99
Kings @ Pelicans
The epic battle between Boogie and The Brow has led to a split series (1-1) this year, as well as one really good game in the first meeting. The Pellies need a win badly with four straight losses in a row, but Sacramento is red-hot with four straight wins. This is a nice upset to chase tonight.
Pick: Kings 105, Pelicans 102
Timberwolves @ Rockets
Minnesota remains rattled by injuries so they probably don’t have much of a hope to stay in this one on the road. Houston has been largely fantastic and Dwight Howard is even back, so expect a blowout.
Pick: Rockets 109, T’Wolves 87
Warriors @ Grizzlies
Everytime I take the Grizzlies at home they seem to burn me, but tonight it’s easy to go against them considering it’s the Warriors coming into town. Golden State can’t be stopped at the moment, either, as they come into tonight riding a sick seven-game winning streak.
Pick: Warriors 104, Grizz 101
Mavericks @ Spurs
Dallas just took down the Spurs in their last meeting so you can bet the Spurs will want to pay them back at home. We can probably expect a solid game between these two rivals but the Spurs should get the last laugh.
Pick: Spurs 103, Mavs 101
Jazz @ Nuggets
After going on a nice tear the Jazz have dropped three games in a row, largely due to star swing man Gordon Hayward sitting out with a shoulder issue. He’s back tonight, though, so look for the Jazz to regain their previous form against a slightly inferior Nuggets squad.
Pick: Jazz 98, Nuggets 95
Trail Blazers @ Suns
LaMarcus Aldridge returned in the nick of time to help Portland end an ugly losing streak the other night, while Nicolas Batum could be back tonight, as well. The Blazers know they need to win to stave off the Thunder in the Northwest division, so look for them to dismantle the Suns.
Pick: Blazers 105, Suns 102