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The Jazz couldn’t beat a Victor Oladipo-less Magic team, Rajon Rondo triple doubled yet again, the Rockets dropped to 0-2 to the Nuggets and the Bulls got their revenge on the Hornets. Friday was a jam-packed, 11-game night of action to close out the regular work week, and we couldn’t have enjoyed it more.
NBA action gets started extra early on Saturday, as the Pistons and Clippers duke it out at 3:30 pm ET, followed by six more games. Let’s break each down and see which side you may want to be leaning toward for NBA betting purposes:
Pistons @ Clippers
Detroit is a pretty good team and it’s hard to see them drop a third game in a row, but L.A. has to be fairly lived over Blake getting tossed and getting beat by the Suns the other night. I expect them to come out fired up at home, while Chris Paul’s likely return from a groin issue should push them over the top.
Pick: Clips 109, Pistons 104
Magic @ Wizards
Victor Oladipo remains out but Orlando does have big man Nikola Vucevic to lean on when the Magic visit the Wizards in D.C. tonight. This remains a matchup very much in favor of the Wiz, but it is definitely worth noting that Brad Beal is doubtful to play again tonight. Washington is on a bad three-game skid, but even without Beal I think they work their way back up the ladder tonight.
Pick: Wiz 104, Magic 101
Cavs @ Bucks
Cleveland typically owns Milwaukee in the LeBron James era (3-1 last year) and the Cavs have won eight in a row. The Bucks could have point guard Michael Carter-Williams back tonight and they’re on their home floor, but I doubt it matters.
Pick: Cavs 106, Bucks 102
Mavs @ Rockets
Dwight Howard is sitting due to rest tonight, so the Rockets are a little under-manned against a Mavs team that has won two in a row. This is a perfect game for vintage James Harden, though, and Houston just got careless and lost to the Nuggets last night. Look for a Harden eruption in a big home win.
Pick: Rockets 111, Mavs 107
76ers @ Spurs
Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili are both out tonight but it’s the Spurs at home versus the Sixers. San Antonio is off to a nice start this year and they’ll just lean on Tim Duncan and LaMarcus Aldridge to get the win in this one.
Pick: Spurs 108, Sixers 97
Nuggets @ Suns
This could be the best game of the night due to up-tempo offensive play, but picking the winner could be tough. Phoenix does tend to play their best ball at home and guards Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight are coming off of huge games, so I’m leaning towards siding with the Suns. Keep in mind big man Markieff Morris could be out with a knee sprain, but I don’t think that will keep Phoenix from the win.
Pick: Suns 109, Nuggets 105
Nets @ Warriors
Brooklyn has one win on the year and they’re going to be the first team to march into Oracle Arena and hand the Warriors a loss? I think not. Golden State hasn’t lost all year and Stephen Curry cannot be stopped.
Pick: Warriors 116, Nets 104
