Tim's Past Picks
Luka Doncic is getting stronger as this series goes on. He is also getting help outside of Kyrie Irving from PJ Washington (19 ppg in this series) and Derrick Jones (11 ppg in this series). Mavs roll at home.
The Nuggets have scored at least 112 points in three straight games after reaching 112 in one of their first seven this postseason. They have figured out the Timberwolves and win the series tonight in the Twin Cities. Great in-series adjustments by Nuggets coach Michael Malone.
Denver has FINALLY woke up following a 2-0 deficit to the series. Look for the Nuggets to build on their momentum and take control of the series. I'm backing the ML as opposed to laying points.
The Knicks are better at full strength, but now they are injury-depleted and in some trouble Coach Thibs already doesn’t like to sub and now he has nobody to turn to. Pacers roll in MSG.
The Cavaliers are in a funk. Who better to come to town than the Charlotte Hornets. This game will not be competitive. The Hornets are playing out the season, while every win matters for Cleveland. Lay the points.
Full disclosure: I have Creighton in my Final 4. The Bluejays should be favored in this game, but this number is too high. Creighton has struggled against rugged, physical teams like Akron this year. The Zips have experience too. I'm taking the dog.
The Heat have owned the 76ers this year, winning both matchups convincingly. Miami is a real contender to win the East. What are the 76ers? Not real contenders. I’d even take money line here also.
The Suns catch a Cavs team that is playing some terrible basketball and is not healthy. Cleveland just got whacked by the Nets, a team that had previously lost to the Hornets and Pistons. Now the Cavs are on the second half of a back-to-back. The Suns roll.
I know the Pistons are terrible and the Nets have been playing better since the coaching change. Those are facts. But this is a road test for Brooklyn, and Detroit has been playing decently of late, even winning a game against in Chicago. I know it’s tough to do, but take the Pistons and the points.
Crazy stat: The Bulls are 13-10 against the Western Conference, including a dramatic win at Sacramento in which they trailed by 22. They catch the Jazz not 100% healthly, and that’s the difference.
Denver has been rolling and deserves to be the favorite. The Nuggets won the first matchup this season convincingly, but the Suns were without Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Booker again won’t be available, but Beal will play. He’s scored 30 or more points in three of his last seven games. Too many points for Denver to give, I’ll take the underdog.
Toronto is playing well with its new parts and now catches Dallas after a gut-wrenching loss to the Cavs. I think the Raptors win, but I’ll take the points.
The Pacers are at home and rested. The Pelicans are neither. New Orleans won last night facing a minor league version of the Knicks. The Pels weren't playing great ball before that. Indiana was exhausted last out against the Raptors as the team was on the second night of a back-to-back. Pacers roll.
Should the Cavaliers be favored at home? Absolutely. But this number is crazy! Both of these teams are top 10 defensively in the NBA. Don’t be fooled by Cleveland's lopsided win the last time they met, the Magic were exhausted. This will be a close one, so take the points.
The Magic are on the second half of a back-to-back after losing at home Tuesday to Oklahoma City, but they catch the banged-up Knicks limping to the All-Star break while they just to adjust to some recently acquired parts. Right matchup and right time for Orlando.