MENU
Friday night was an insane night for trying to pick NBA games, as the Wizards and Hawks both got completely housed at home, the Pistons beat the Knicks, the Magic beat the Pelicans and the Jazz dominated the Trail Blazers. Despite that insanity, we still made it out of a 13-game night alive, boosting our season record up to 458-235 with a 7-6 mark. It wasn’t ideal, but with all of those upsets, we’ll take finishing above .500.
Saturday should be much less chaotic with just five NBA games on the schedule. Let’s take a look at each contest and see who we can safely pick to win tonight:
Thunder @ Hornets
Kevin Durant will sit out tonight but it’s hard to go against the Thunder right now with how good Russell Westbrook is playing. Enes Kanter also makes his debut, giving OKC some more offensive muscle down low. Charlotte has a shot at home if they can keep the pace slow, but OKC is the clear favorite.
Pick: Thunder 101, Hornets 96
Pelicans @ Heat
The Goran Dragic era starts in South Beach tonight, as he’ll hit the court and try to help the Heat upend Anthony Davis and the Pelicans. That could be good or bad his first time out, but no Chris Bosh puts Miami even further behind the eight ball. This should be a good game, but the Pellies have the slight edge.
Pick: Pellies 104, Heat 101
Suns @ Bulls
Phoenix plays it’s second straight game since unloading two of it’s best guards, but Brandon Knight will make his debut tonight when they travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls. Chicago just lost to the Pistons and should play mad tonight, so look for big outings out of Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol in a win.
Pick: Bulls 108, Suns 104
Raptors @ Rockets
Toronto could be in for a trap game tonight after a huge blowout win in Atlanta last night. They showed they have the goods, but getting back to back road wins against elite teams isn’t easy. James Harden should show up with another big game as the Rockets hold down the fort at home.
Pick: Rockets 109, Raptors 106
Kings @ Clippers
The George Karl era is off to a nice 1-0 start, but the Kings are still without Darren Collison as they head into Los Angeles tonight. The Clips are down Blake Griffin, but both DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul have been playing spirited ball as the Clips have stayed afloat. Look for them both to be big again in a nice home win.
Pick: Clips 107, Kings 102
