New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls (-8, 219) 
The Bulls are on the verge of officially clinching a playoff spot and still have a shot of catching the Pistons for the seventh seed in the East.
''It's good to have a chance to finish seventh,'' Bulls forward John Salmons said. ''You are not the last team in, and mentally it does make a difference.''
The Bulls, no doubt, would love to avoid playing LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round too.
The month of March has been kind to Chicago. The club was fifth in league scoring, field-goal percentage, third in 3-point percentage and fourth in free-throw percentage.
Salmons missed last Wednesday’s game with a sore groin but returned for Saturday’s win over New Jersey with 17 points. He admits he will be playing in pain the rest of the season.
Pick: Chicago
Philadelphia 76ers at Charlotte Bobcats (-5, 185)
The Bobcats suffered a crushing loss Sunday at Detroit that probably kills their hopes. Even if they win out, the playoffs are more than likely a pipedream.
It’s not clear if the Bobcats will have guard Raja Bell after he missed the Detroit game with a calf injury. Bell is averaging 13 points since being acquired from Phoenix in December and is Charlotte's top defensive player. Bell is officially day-to-day, although coach Larry Brown said he could be done for the year.
Charlotte has covered seven of the past eight at home against Philly and is 3-0 (2-1 ATS) against the Sixers this year.
Pick: Charlotte.