With less than ten games remaining in the regular season, things will heat up this week, with many clubs vying for a postseason position. Injuries continue to plague many teams, with LeBron James of the Lakers, Paul George of the Clippers, and Kevin Durant of the Suns all out.
This Week NBA Picks and Predictions
Lakers 108 vs Bulls 100 – Sunday 26, March
Our first wager of the week has two teams vying for a late-season postseason spot, as the Bulls travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Despite LeBron James’ injury, the Lakers have been fantastic since the trade deadline, going 5-3 in his absence and currently sitting two games shy of the sixth seed in the West. With the signings of Malik Beasley and Jarrett Vanderbilt, they now have the league’s best defensive rating since the trade deadline. Although the Lakers have been strong since the trade deadline, the Bulls have won six of their previous ten games, including an important victory over the Nuggets and the 76ers. Despite the fact that both teams are in strong form, I believe the Lakers will win this one at home in what should be a tough matchup.
Final score prediction: Lakers 108, Bulls 100.
Warriors 106 vs Pelicans 97 – Tuesday 28 March
The Pelicans are our second-best bet of the week, as they travel to Golden State to face Stephen Curry and the Warriors. The Warriors, who may be the greatest team at home this year, have won 29 of their 36 home games this season. Yet, they have struggled on the road, winning only 9 of their 38 games. While the Pelicans have been relatively ordinary since Zion’s injury, falling from first in the West to eleventh, Ingram and Mccollum have been good, but not enough. Fortunately for the Warriors, this one is at home, and as a result, I expect the Warriors to win easily.
Final score prediction: Warriors 106, Pelicans 97.
Nuggets 100 vs Celtics 110 – Thursday 30, March
Our final best bet of the week involves the biggest game of the week, a matchup between the Nuggets and the Celtics in Denver. Both teams are considered the favorites to win their conference, as Jayson Tatum and Nikola Jokic will square off. Both clubs have had a hard stretch, going 5-5 in their previous ten games, and are hoping to get back into shape before the playoffs begin.
Both teams have some of the best depth in the league, so this game will be decided by their supporting casts. Great matchups will include Jamal Murray and Jaylen Brown, Aaron Gordon and Jayson Tatum, and Nikola Jokic and Robert Williams.
Although both teams have been excellent, the Nuggets have been nearly untouchable at home this season, losing only six of their 36 games, and as a result, I’m going to give the Nuggets the edge in this one.
Final score prediction: Nuggets 110, Celtics 106.
