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Monday got our NBA picks rolling with just six games, allowing us to respond with a solid 3-3 start to the week. Let’s see if we can’t do better with several more games on the docket on Tuesday.
We enter tonight’s action with a 252-133 season record and as always, aim to break the matchups down with logic and exit with perfection:
Pistons @ Magic
Detroit and Orlando have both won two straight, so something will have to break entering Tuesday night’s matchup in Orlando. The Magic seem to be the better team on paper, but the Pistons can’t be ruled out now that they seem a little more cohesive with Josh Smith in Houston. Detroit is pretty bad on the road, though, so in a virtual toss up we’ll take the home team tonight.
Pick: Magic 104, Pistons 101
Suns @ Pelicans
The Pellies are a solid 9-4 at home, but they’re flat out average across the board (5-5 in past 10 and 15-15 overall). Phoenix, meanwhile, can really bring it offensively and comes in red hot with six straight wins. Bank on that run staying alive tonight.
Pick: Suns 106, Pellies 104
Nets @ Bulls
Brooklyn is healthy and won their last game, but they’ll take on an equally healthy Bulls squad that has won seven consecutive games. Chicago is oddly better on the road than at home, but this matchup is in their favor and they’re too hot to bet against right now.
Pick: Bulls 101, Nets 98
Wizards @ Mavericks
Dallas is heating up a bit with Rajon Rondo leading the charge, as they’ve won two straight games and have gone a solid 6-4 over their last 10. They have a tough opponent in the Wiz, who are a strong 8-4 on the road, but with the Mavs’ stout 12-5 home record, it’s hard not to like Dirk and co.
Pick: Mavs 108, Wiz 104
Timberwolves @ Jazz
Neither of these two teams are reliable by any means, but Utah has been much more competitive on a regular basis and the T’Wolves have dropped eight straight. This would be a good opportunity for them to finally get a win, but the same can be said for the Jazz. With this one in Utah, we’ll go with the Jazz tonight.
Pick: Jazz 97, T’Wolves 94
Cavaliers @ Hawks
Cleveland just got crushed by the Pistons and now are dealing with some health issues. It’s hard to pick them with confidence right now, especially on the road against a good Atlanta team.
Pick: Hawks 104, Cavs 101
Spurs @ Grizzlies
These two teams battled into a triple overtime thriller the last time they faced, so we could be in for a blood bath tonight. All that’s certain is San Antonio badly needs to start winning games and that it’s not going to be easy in Memphis, where the Grizz are a stout 12-4.
Pick: Grizzlies 105, Spurs 103
Lakers @ Nuggets
Kobe Bryant is back, which should give the Lakers a lift for the second game in a row as they try to upend a Denver squad that is just average (9-7) on their home floor. The Nuggets and Lakers will run all night, so we can expect little defense. It’s basically a toss up, but Kobe could will the Lakers to a win over a beatable opponent.
Pick: Lakers 106, Nuggets 105
Raptors @ Trail Blazers
In what figures to be the game of the night, two hot teams face off in Portland. Both the Raptors and Blazers have gone a blistering 8-2 in their last 10 contests and will come into tonight with three straight wins. LaMarcus Aldridge could be out again (illness), but the Blazers have won two of the three games he’s missed and are a remarkable 14-2 at home this year.
Pick: Blazers 107, Raptors 104
76ers @ Warriors
Golden State seems to play down to their competition at times, but it’s hard to believe that happens tonight when they host the 4-25 Sixers. Philly has struggled mightily to point points on the board and the Warriors are the third best team in the entire league at doing that. This one shouldn’t be close.
Pick: Warriors 109, Sixers 84
