NBA East Picks: Dec.16, 2013
In boasting only two teams with winning records so far this season, the NBA’s Eastern Conference has certainly become the little brother to the ultra-powerful West in 2013, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t exciting games on the East’s docket each and every day. Bettors can usually find plenty of juicy lines from games featuring East squads and that’s definitely the case again today as 11 East teams take the court in seven league match-ups. Fortunately, we’ve got the picks to help those bettors have another profitable day, so check ’em out!
Detroit Pistons +10 at Indiana Pacers -10
Off to their best start in franchise history and the best start in the league this season, the Indiana Pacers (20-3) have shown no signs of slowing down lately and shouldn’t be facing a major roadblock today in taking on the Detroit Pistons (11-14). The Pacers’ defensive-minded approach often yields closer, hard-fought contests, but considering they haven’t lost on their home floor (11-0) and that they beat Detroit by eight points on the road earlier this season, they should be able to cover the spread in this one at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Pick: Indiana covers -10
Minnesota Timberwolves -2 at Boston Celtics +2
As many expected, the Boston Celtics (11-14) have had a rough time adjusting to life without Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce so far this year and things probably won’t get any easier for the Celts as they host one of the league’s best scoring squads, the Minnesota Timberwolves (12-12). Minnesota’s been lights out from three-point range as of late and already proved they can handle Boston in a 106-88 throttling against the Celtics earlier this season. Stick with the hot hands in this one.
Pick: Minnesota covers -2
Los Angeles Lakers +5 at Atlanta Hawks -5
Kobe Bryant has played well since coming back from injury – scoring 20 or more points in two out of four games – but with Steve Blake sidelined with an injury of his own, Bryant will have to fill the distributor role for the LA Lakers, which should favor the Atlanta Hawks, who have defended their home floor well this season with an 8-4 record. Atlanta isn’t a high-scoring team (99.6 points per game), but it may not need to put up triple digits to beat the Lakers tonight.
Pick: Atlanta covers -5Â
Philadelphia 76ers +10.5 at Brooklyn Nets -10.5
Considering the Brooklyn Nets have a losing record on their home floor this season, it’s somewhat surprising they are favored by double digits tonight, but when you consider the Philadelphia 76ers have won just one game in 11 tries away from their own home court, the line certainly makes more sense.
Both teams will be missing a key player tonight, as the Nets will be without Brook Lopez and the 76ers without Michael Carter-Williams, but the Nets have managed to win sans Lopez, while the 76ers haven’t won since losing Carter-Williams on Dec. 3.
Pick: Brooklyn covers -10.5
Utah Jazz +13 at Miami Heat -13
Despite owning the second best record in the East, the two-time defending champion Miami Heat (17-6) should still be considered the NBA’s team to beat on a nightly basis and the West’s worst team, the Utah Jazz (6-20), just don’t seem ready for the challenge on this night.
Pick: Miami covers -13
Washington Wizards +3.5 at New York Knicks -3.5
It’s no secret that the New York Knicks (7-16) have fallen on hard times this season, especially after losing Tyson Chandler to injury earlier this year. Unfortunately, the Knicks will also be without Raymond Felton in taking on the Washington Wizards (9-13), who beat a Felton-less New York team 98-89 last month. With how poorly the Knicks have played at home this season (4-8), history could very well repeat itself tonight.
Pick: Washington covers +3.5
Orlando Magic +7 at Chicago Bulls -7
Already missing star Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls (9-13) may be without Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich in tonight’s match-up with the Orlando Magic (7-17), which could make defeating an ever lowlier team a major challenge at home. The Magic are just 2-11 on the road this season, but against a depleted Bulls squad, they should be able to keep things close.
Pick: Orlando covers +7
