Monday’s six-game NBA slate kicks off the final week of regular season hoops. The national-TV doubleheader will be handled by NBA TV, featuring the Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks & Utah Jazz at Golden State Warriors.
On Friday’s slate, I went 1-2 to bring my season-long record to 116-84-2 (58%) through 202 NBA picks. Here are three more free NBA picks to get things going in the direction as we move towards the playoffs.
Table of contents
- Indiana Pacers (-8.5) at Cleveland Cavaliers – Total: 230
- Utah Jazz (-3) at Golden State Warriors – Total: 226.5
- Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers (-14.5) – Total: 238
Indiana Pacers (-8.5) at Cleveland Cavaliers – Total: 230
IND: 4 games in 6 days, front-end b2b (vs PHI tomorrow)
CLE: back-end b2b (vs DAL yesterday), 3 games in 4 days, 4 in 6, 5 in 7
The Cavs have all but checked out on the NBA regular season. And tonight’s situation isn’t any better, as it’ll be their second game in as many nights and the fifth in seven days. The Pacers hold that No. 10 seed in the East but would love to move up a spot and face the Hornets in the play-in round. The Wizards, who are right in front of them, have a tough game in Atlanta tonight. This all sets up well for Indy to come into Cleveland and take care of business. It’s also worth noting the Cavs haven’t won or covered a game in the last 10 tries.
Utah Jazz (-3) at Golden State Warriors – Total: 226.5
UTA: 3 games in 4 days, 4 in 6
GS: normal rest, front-end b2b (vs PHX tomorrow)
This should be a fun game in San Francisco tonight between the Jazz and Warriors. Hence, why I’ll be taking the over on 226.5 points.
Both teams have played incredibly well over the last five games (Jazz: 5-0 SU/3-2 ATS, Warriors: 4-1 SU/ATS), so we should expect to see a competitive matchup. With that, comes extra free throws down the stretch and a heightened sense of urgency on the offensive end. Not to mention, the teams have split the season series, and that will also add more excitement to the game. If you’re in history, I got you there, as each of the last six Jazz-Warriors meetings have gone over the total.
Betting Pick: Over 226.5 points
Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers (-14.5) – Total: 238
HOU: 3 games in 4 days (all on the road), 4 in 6
POR: 3 games in 4 days (all at home), 4 in 6
The Trail Blazers want absolutely no part of this play-in tournament, so a nice-and-easy win over the Rockets should fit the billing. Both teams are playing stretches of three games in four days, but Houston has been on the road for all its games while Portland has been home the whole time.
I typically like betting on Damian Lillard & Co. on the road, where they are much better. However, I like the spot Portland is in tonight for a needed victory.
Betting Pick: Trail Blazers (-14.5)
