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A six-game NBA slate awaits us on Tuesday night, as we get a slew of interesting matchups. Even the teams duking it out that have no playoff hopes make for interesting matchups, while there is still plenty to play for with nine prospective playoff contenders in action tonight. Let’s dive in and see which teams deserve your betting interests:
Bulls @ Pacers
Line: Pacers -7.5 Total: 201.5
Talk about two division rivals going in completely opposite directions, as the Bulls are just about toast with four straight losses. Indiana, meanwhile, has risen to second in the Central Division with a 6-4 run in their last 10 games. Chicago should have all of their key players on hand, but that hasn’t done much to help them lately. Most of their stars are playing hurt and just aren’t overly effective on either end. Throw in a weak 12-23 road record, and the Bulls should inch closer to completely slipping out of the playoff race.
Pick: Pacers 105, Bulls 99
Nets @ Magic
Line: Magic -6.5 Total: 211.5
Both the Magic and Nets are beaten up, but they’ve combined for a couple of solid games this year, with Orlando ending all three of their previous meetings as the victor. That trend could continue tonight with this game at the Amway Center, where the Magic are at their best usually (19-17). They’re banged up pretty bad with both Nikola Vucevic and Victor Oladipo possibly out, though, so this could be a good spot to pick the Nets to beat the spread.
Pick: Magic 104, Nets 102
Hornets @ Sixers
Line: Hornets -11.5 Total: 208
Charlotte has been fantastic lately (7-3 in last 10) and they also continue to fight for the Southeast Division crown. Those are two key reasons why it’s hard to imagine them caving to a bad Sixers team – even on the road. Philly is better at home usually, but they’re still just 6-30 there. The Sixers are also down their two best big men and probably wouldn’t pose much of a threat even if they were healthy. Look for the Hornets to go up 3-0 in the season series tonight and cover.
Pick: Hornets 110, Sixers 94
Thunder @ Pistons
Line: Thunder -3 Total: 215
Reggie Jackson welcomes in his former team tonight as he eyes revenge. It could elude him for the second time, however, as OKC comes in white hot with 8 straight wins, while the Thunder raked the Pistons over the coals earlier this year. Detroit is good at home (24-13), but they’re not efficient enough to take down a Thunder team that is absolutely rolling right now.
Pick: Thunder 107, Pistons 102
Rockets @ Cavs
Line: Cavs -2 Total: 212
LeBron James is out tonight (rest), so it’s on Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and J.R. Smith to protect Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland has been great at home all year (30-6), but they’re just 1-2 in games where King James sits. That being said, Houston has been a disaster and probably won’t be able to get out of their own way. Cleveland also has Tristan Thompson and Timofey Mozgov to combat Dwight Howard and Matthew Dellavedova and Iman Shumpert to help slow down James Harden. We’ll take the Cavs to cover at home.
Pick: Cavs 104, Rockets 100
Wizards @ Warriors
Line: Warriors -13 Total: 227
Golden State is one of the easier straight up picks of the night, as they haven’t lost at home all year (35-0) and are total beasts at the Oracle Arena. Washington can be tough, but they’re usually at their best when they’re imposing their fast-paced will on teams. The Dubs will enjoy running with them and can demolish them at their own game, though, so its not a good spot for them. They’re also pretty meh (17-18) on the road. They’re trending in the right direction (6-4 in last 10) and I like them to beat the spread, but the Dubs will win.
Pick: Warriors 112, Wizards 108
