Sunday brings a light slate with just five NBA games to pick, as we come off an elite 8-1 run (301-157 on the year) on Saturday night. Let’s run through Sunday’s matchups and see who should come out on top to close the week:
Suns @ Grizzlies
Memphis hosts the high octane Suns tonight after dropping two straight and six of their last 10. They’ll hope to get their defense back under wraps, but it won’t be easy with such a potent Suns offense in town (winners of seven of their last 10). Memphis is a different team at home, however (14-4), so they should hold the slight edge.
Pick: Grizzlies 104, Suns 101
Wizards @ Hawks
Atlanta welcomes John Wall and the Wizards into Atlanta after winning seven straight games, and they’ll aim to go 10-1 in their last 11 contests, as well. The Wiz have been one of the more balanced squads in the East, and have a nice three-game run of their own coming into this matchup. Atlanta edge the Wiz in their first meeting this year and with this being on their home floor, we have to favor the Hawks.
Pick: Hawks 106, Wiz 102
Heat @ Clippers
The Miami Heat have done okay on the road this year (8-9) but have struggled lately overall and could be walking into the fire when they visit the Clippers at the Staples Center tonight. Los Angeles has taken care of business at home (17-5) and has been solid over their last 10 (6-4). The Clippers should be able to handle Dwyane Wade and co. tonight and get the win.
Pick: Clips 111, Heat 104
Cavaliers @ Kings
Cleveland will try to snap a four-game losing streak tonight when they visit DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings. The Cavs will have to do so yet again without LeBron James (knee/back), but the Kings have been up and down over their last 10 (4-6) and could be vulnerable against a Cleveland team that has reinforcements in J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov.
Pick: Cavs 106, Kings 104
Trail Blazers @ Lakers
The Lakers host the red hot Blazers, who will enter L.A. with a three game winning streak and with eight wins in their last 10 games. Portland is at their best at home, but they’re one of the most balanced teams in the league and aren’t about to drop one to the lowly Lakers.
Pick: Blazers 104, Lakers 97