We’re officially entering the most crucial part of the NBA season, meaning every game counts now more than ever.
Considering that, all teams are going to leave it all on the court and take every matchup with a postseason mindset, knowing that any shortcoming could make them pack their bags early.
Needless to say, that doesn’t mean that all teams with a playoff mindset and desperate for a win will be able to get the job done, so this is where good teams and great teams can be told apart.
With that in mind, we’re going to take a look at today’s slate, sharing our top picks for the four biggest matchups of the evening.
New York Knicks vs Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors visit the Big Apple looking to keep the momentum going. They just got Chris Paul back and look like a much better team since demoting Klay Thompson to the second unit, as they now have much more offensive balance on their rotation.
The New York Knicks, on the other hand, are struggling mightily to stay afloat amid a string of injuries. They might have Isaiah Harstentein back for this matchup, but Julius Randle and OG Anunoby will continue to be on the shelf.
That’s why it’s hard to side with the home team ahead of this game, especially considering the rival, as the Warriors are in desperation mode and know they must win most games from now on to avoid the Play-in Tournament.
Pick: Warriors -4.5
San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder
The San Antonio Spurs have one of the most entertaining young players in the league in Victor Wembanyama, and he’s been spectacular more often than not. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of his supporting cast, and most of his efforts come during losses.
That’s likely to be the case again when they host Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Canadian guard is one of the leading candidates for MVP, and rightly so, as he’s been dominant on both ends of the floor.
The Thunder aren’t just beating their rivals; they’re rolling past them. That’s why even though this is a big point spread and they’re on the road, they should still take care of business.
Pick: Thunder -10
Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat
The Miami Heat usually get hot at this point in the season. They go through the motions during the regular season, but they need to take the rest of the campaign seriously to be at their best come playoff time, just like they do every year with Jimmy Butler at the helm.
Unfortunately for them, they’ll go back to Denver for a date with the Denver Nuggets, the very same team that dominated them in the NBA Finals last season. Needless to say, this matchup is going to be personal.
Considering that, we think Erik Spoelstra will have something ready on defense for Mike Malone‘s team. They may fall short again, but this game will be played at a slow pace.
Pick: Under 215
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Los Angeles Lakers vs Washington Wizards
The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a huge win. LeBron James turned back the clock again to make sure to lead his team to an epic comeback vs. city rivals Los Angeles Clippers, making the most of Paul George‘s absence to take over and get the win.
The Washington Wizards are arguably the worst team in the league, both talent and coaching-wise. They’re not good on defense and inefficient on offense, and they’ve been stung by the injury bug as of late.
Considering that, this should be a cakewalk game for Darvin Ham‘s team, even if it’s on the back end of a back-to-back. Don’t be shocked if the Lakers rest either LeBron James or Anthony Davis — or both, so this spread could get lower.
Pick: Lakers -9
