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After a very busy Wednesday night, the NBA cools down a bit on Thursday with a light four-game slate. It’s not an NBA bettor’s dream, but we still get two matchups between playoff contenders and both New York teams are in action. What’s more to want?
On the surface this looks like a pretty easy slate to call, but if you’re having a little trouble with your NBA bets, join us as we walk through each matchup and make our picks:
76ers @ Nets
Brooklyn is a pretty bad team, so if the Sixers are going to win again anytime soon, this could be the night. Philly has one win on the year but is getting healthy with Tony Wroten back and rookie center Jahlil Okafor is also back after a brief suspension. While this could be a close one, I still lean in favor of the Nets just because they’re actually not bad (5-4) at Barclays Center this year.
Pick: Nets 99, Sixers 96
Clippers @ Bulls
Easily one of the better games of the night has the Clippers heading to the United Center to take on the Bulls. Chicago has been quite strong at home this year (7-3), but the Clips are finally healthy again with Chris Paul and J.J. Redick back. They feel like they’re hitting they’re stride with three wins in a row, too.
Pick: Clippers 107, Bulls 104
Hawks @ Thunder
The other good game on the schedule has the Hawks traveling to OKC to battle Kevin Durant and the Thunder. KD and Russell Westbrook are a formidable duo, but the Thunder are just 13-8 to start the year. They’re a tad underwhelming, but Durant has also missed some time during OKC’s slow start. Tonight they’re at home, where they’re a very strong 9-3 on the year. Last year’s Hawks team could have been a real threat, but this year both the offense and defense have dipped just slightly. I still like this to be a competitive game, but the Thunder should pull it out in a close one.
Pick: Thunder 104, Hawks 101
Knicks @ Kings
Two very different teams go head to head in Sacramento tonight, as the Knicks prefer to slow things down and play defense, while the Kings run a fast-paced offense and play almost no defense. A healthy DeMarcus Cousins has them looking better, however, while the Knicks have faltered with three straight defeats. With Carmelo Anthony seemingly not quite himself at the moment, it’s hard not to side with the Kings.
Pick: Kings 102, Knicks 98
