Injuries continue to take a big toll on what happens in the NBA right now.
We just have less than 20 games left in the regular season, and some teams are pretty much limping their way to the finish line.
There’s too much at stake right now, and teams will need to embrace a ‘next-man-up’ mentality if they want to get the job done. Otherwise, everything they’ve worked for will go to waste in the blink of an eye.
Considering that, we’ve put together a list of the five biggest games of today’s slate, as well as our top selection for each and every single one of them.
Orlando Magic vs New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic will square off in a high-octane matchup.
Both teams should make the playoffs, and they have an almost identical record. Also, they’re both riding a hot streak, with the Pelicans winning fourth in a row on the road, and the Magic their last four overall.
Needless to say, this won’t be an easy contest for either side, especially considering both will be mostly at full strength. Considering that, we’ll lean towards the total, as this should be a close game that could go either way.
Pick: Over 207
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Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets will be severely undermanned when they visit Wisconsin for their game vs. the Milwaukee Bucks.
Dorian Finney-Smith will join Nic Claxton on the shelf, and Cam Johnson continues to look limited because of injuries.
The Bucks won’t have Giannis Antetokounmpo for this matchup, but they shouldn’t find much trouble beating a team that has lost almost twice as many games as they have won, even if they also played yesterday.
Pick: Bucks -9
Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz got off to a strong start to the NBA season, but that’s in the rearview mirror already.
They’re the true definition of a team limping towards the finish line, and the end of the campaign can’t come soon enough for them.
They will be on the road and without Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson, and that doesn’t bode well for a date against the most explosive backcourt in the entire league, so this could get out of hand pretty soon.
Pick: Mavs -14.5
Denver Nuggets vs New York Knicks
There was a point when the New York Knicks were the hottest team in the league, but that’s a thing of the past now.
OG Anunoby and Julius Randle being hurt have really taken a toll on this team’s ability to compete at the highest level.
Even so, they’ve been quite good on the road as of late. So even if they might not win this game, especially in Denver’s height, Tom Thibodeau’s side should still find a way to make this a close one.
Pick: Knicks +9.5
Phoenix Suns vs Atlanta Suns
The Phoenix Suns didn’t need their starters on the court for most of their win over the Philadelphia 76ers, so they might have some fresh legs to host the Atlanta Hawks for the second leg of a back-to-back set.
The Hawks will continue to be without Trae Young, and they haven’t exactly been very competitive this season anyway.
The Suns are mostly at full strength, making them one of the most stacked teams in the Western Conference.
Pick: Suns -9.5
