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Boy, were last night’s picks an utter disaster. I may never bet on the Lakers again, while the Bulls flat out didn’t show up in Charlotte and the Pelicans can’t even beat the freaking Magic. Miami couldn’t win at home and the Pistons lost their first game of the year, too.
Logic was definitely there for our NBA picks, but the reality was far away from what we thought it would be as we stumbled to an ugly 1-6 record last night (36-23 on the year). We get plenty of chances to improve upon that wasteland showing tonight, as Big NBA Wednesday returns with a healthy 10-game slate. Let’s get to it:
Celtics @ Pacers
Boston is a pretty feisty team but they lack star power or any kind of defensive edge. The Pacers are at least keeping opponents under 100 points per game, are at home and have Paul George. Boston wins the interior game, but this might be a game where George runs the four. I also think Monta Ellis is beyond due for a breakout game with his new team, so he could drive them to their second win of the year.
Pick: Pacers 97, Celtics 95
Spurs @ Wizards
I think Washington is a pretty good team this year, even though they barely beat the Bucks and are already 0-1 on their home floor. They’re good, but they’re not the Spurs, who are elite. They’re not quite where they need to be offensively just yet, but their defense has been nasty over the past three games. Allowing just 89 points per game on the year, the Spurs should go into D.C. and limit the Wiz. Kawhi Leonard will take care of Brad Beal and San Antonio’s size will prevent John Wall from controlling this game.
Pick: Spurs 92, Wiz 89
Nets @ Hawks
Brooklyn looks all kinds of awful right now, as they are putting up barely 90 points per game while allowing over 105 per game. They have zero depth to speak of and even their starting five isn’t getting it done. They need to feed Brook Lopez even more to even have a shot at winning 20 games this year. Atlanta’s defense has actually been kind of weak down low, but it won’t matter against this Nets team. Also, the Hawks have won three in a row and don’t lose on their home floor too often.
Pick: Hawks 108, Nets 92
Knicks @ Cavs
New York has been inconsistent so far this year, but when they’re on they have looked pretty darn good. Kristaps Porzingis has looked solid and Carmelo Anthony is back to elite status for the most part. Their issue is they aren’t giving Jerian Grant enough run and they can’t defend. All of that works for Cleveland, who looks strong at 3-1 and is a tough out at home.
Pick: Cavs 111, Knicks 104
Magic @ Rockets
Orlando has been getting some tough breaks early this year, as they’ve pushed some very good teams to the limit and could easily be undefeated right now. They finally got their first win in their last game, but have to turn right back around and go out to Houston to take on the Rockets. Houston got their act together with a big win over the Thunder, so it’s unlikely they suddenly falter and drop to 1-4.
Pick: Rockets 108, Magic 102
76ers @ Bucks
The Bucks finally got their first win in a recent meeting with the Nets and the Sixers give them a good opportunity to get a second straight win. The Sixers are slightly better than they were a year ago, but they still give up a ton of points and struggle to score consistently. I think Nik Stauskas could get hot in this one and Jahlil Okafor scores well down low, but Milwaukee should run away with it in the end.
Pick: Bucks 106, Sixers 90
Raptors @ Thunder
One of the better games of the night, Toronto travels to OKC to try to slow down the Thunder. Few have been able to do it early on in the 2015-16 NBA season and this is as good a time as any for the Raptors to be handed their first loss of the year.
Pick: Thunder 109, Raptors 106
Kings @ Suns
DeMarcus Cousins remains out, so the Kings are going to be a tough sell on the road. Phoenix has only beaten the Blazers so far this year (twice), but they’re at home and Sacramento’s defense is absolutely atrocious.
Pick: Suns 104, Kings 101
Blazers @ Jazz
Portland always carries potential offensively, but they’ve cooled off a bit since their opening win over the Pelicans, while a trip to Utah is never good for offensive flow. The Jazz hit their home floor for the first time this year and they bring the best defense in the NBA with them.
Pick: Jazz 94, Blazers 87
Clippers @ Warriors
Easily the top game of the night, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin lead the Clippers into Oracle Arena against the defending champs. This would be a logical spot for the Warriors to lose their first game of the year, but they’re pretty unstoppable on their home floor and they hate the Clippers. Something has to break, though, as these two divisional rivals are both undefeated.
Pick: Warriors 107, Clippers 105
