NBA Picks

The Bulls have been the 9th-highest scoring offense in the NBA while playing away from home this year.. The matchup against Washington is a good one for scoring; when the Wizards are at home, the opposing team's starting SFs have compiled the 4th-highest Field Goal% in the league this year (50.2%).. The fastest tempo team in the league over the last 25 games has been the Bulls.. The Wizards have played at the 3rd-speediest pace-of-play in the NBA with the home court advantage this year, which ought to lead to increased possessions for the Chicago Bulls.. The matchup against the Washington Wizards is a favorable one for drawing fouls; the opposing team's starting SFs have attempted a whopping 3.2 free throws per game this year (8th-most in the league).

The matchup against the Bulls is a challenging one for three-point shots; the opposition's starting SFs have compiled the lowest 3-point rate in the league this year (23.9%).. The Wizards check in as the 2nd-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last 5 games when playing at home (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore eliminate further chances for scoring and assists).

The matchup against the Indiana Pacers is a good one; they have given up the most points per game in the NBA to the opposing team's starting SGs this year (19.0).. The 8th-fastest pace-of-play road offense in the league over the last 5 games has been the Minnesota Timberwolves.. The Pacers have played at the 5th-speediest tempo in the NBA over the last 5 games, which should boost opportunities for the Timberwolves.. Offensive rebounds retain possession and produce further opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Minnesota Timberwolves grade out 8th-best in in the league with 11.9 offensive boards per game over the last 10 games.. The matchup against Indiana is a positive one for getting to the free-throw line; the opposition's starting SGs have attempted a colossal 5.3 free throws per game this year when the Pacers are on their home court (most in the NBA).

The 8th-fastest pace-of-play road offense in the league over the last 5 games has been the Minnesota Timberwolves.. The Pacers have played at the 5th-speediest tempo in the NBA over the last 5 games, which should boost opportunities for the Timberwolves.. Offensive rebounds retain possession and produce further opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Minnesota Timberwolves grade out 8th-best in in the league with 11.9 offensive boards per game over the last 10 games.

The Nets have played at the 4th-most sluggish pace in the league this year.. The Brooklyn Nets are expected to experience a decrease in possessions in this contest from facing the 5th-most sluggish pace road team in the NBA over the last 5 games (the Bucks).. Offensive rebounds save possession and result in further opportunities for scoring and assists, but the Brooklyn Nets rank 2ndworst in in the league with a mere 8.6 offensive boards per game over the last 15 games.

The Bucks rank as the 2nd-most efficient 3-point shooting team in the NBA this year.

The Heat have played at the speediest pace-of-play in the league this year.. Offensive rebounds preserve possession and result in extra chances for scoring and assists, and the Heat grade out 5th-best in in the NBA on the road with 13.1 offensive boards per game over the last 25 games.. Over the last 10 games, the opposing team's starting SFs have attempted 4.4 foul shots per game (7th-most in the NBA) against the Toronto Raptors, making it fairly effortless to get to the free-throw line.

The Heat have played at the speediest pace-of-play in the league this year.. Offensive rebounds preserve possession and result in extra chances for scoring and assists, and the Heat grade out 5th-best in in the NBA on the road with 13.1 offensive boards per game over the last 25 games.

Both teams have been elite defensively lately, ranking in the top three in points allowed and top eight in defensive rating over the last 10 games. Pace is also a major factor, with each sitting 28th and 29th over that span. Their two March meetings totaled just 213 and 207 points, reinforcing the under outlook. Expect effort to show up on the defensive end with real stakes in the standings in play.

This year, the opposition's starting SFs have averaged 5.8 3-point attempts per game (2nd-highest in the league) against the Boston Celtics, marking this as a favorable matchup.. Offensive rebounds lengthen possession and create further opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Charlotte Hornets grade out 2nd-best in in the league with 13.6 offensive boards per game over the last 25 games.

Utah has been blown out lately, but context matters with a brutal recent schedule against top-tier teams like OKC, Denver, Houston, and Cleveland. They’ve responded with better efforts after embarrassing losses lately, and this feels like a bounce-back spot against a team that's closer to their level. The Pelicans have dropped eight straight and clearly look disengaged, making this number feel inflated.

The Utah Jazz check in as the 2nd-least efficient 3-point shooting team in the league while playing on the road this year.. The matchup vs. New Orleans is a challenging one for getting to the foul line; opposing starting SGs have attempted a measly 1.0 foul shots per game this year when the Pelicans are at home (least in the NBA).

The Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors have each hit the Over in seven of their last 10 games overall. The Over has hit in six straight and eight of the last 10 head-to-head matchups between the two teams. The Kings have gone Over in three of their last five on the road, and the Warriors have reached that mark in four of their last five at home.

The return of Stephen Curry will immediately boost Golden State’s offensive abilities, and his on/off court splits this season are eye-opening. The Warriors are a top-12 offense without Curry and a bottom-2 offense without him.

The Sacramento Kings check in as the 3rd-lowest scoring offense in the league this year.. The 3rd-slowest pace road team in the NBA over the last 5 games has been the Sacramento Kings.. The Warriors have played at the 8th-least up-tempo tempo in the league over the last 20 games, which ought to reduce opportunities for the Sacramento Kings.

This year when they are the visiting team, the other team's starting PGs have averaged 42.1% on field goal attempts (8th-lowest in the NBA) vs. the Clippers, identifying this as a tough matchup.. The Mavericks are expected to see a decline in plays in this contest from competing against the 3rd-least up-tempo pace-of-play offense in the league this year (the LA Clippers).. The Dallas Mavericks check in as the 8th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the league this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore reduce further opportunities for scoring and assists).. The matchup vs. Los Angeles is a tough one for drawing fouls; the opposing team's starting PGs have attempted a measly 2.9 foul shots per game this year when the Clippers are on their home court (8th-least in the league).

In terms of scoring, the LA Clippers's fantastic 120.7 points per game rates 5th-best in the NBA over the last 20 games.. This year, the other team's starting SGs have totaled 6.1 3-point attempts per game (5th-highest in the NBA) against the Dallas Mavericks, marking this as a good matchup.. The Clippers are expected to get a boost in plays in this game from being pitted against the 2nd-fastest pace-of-play away team in the league over the last 5 games (the Mavericks).

Just a week after pummeling the Lakers by 40+ points at home, the Thunder go back on the road to see them again, but this time without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves. With the No. 1 seed in the West still to play for, OKC will be eager to handle business. OKC is 3-0 ATS against the Lakers this season and just covered a 24.5-point spread against the Jazz on Sunday.

The 10th-most sluggish pace-of-play offense in the NBA over the last 15 games has been the Lakers.. Offensive rebounds preserve possession and create added opportunities for scoring and assists, but the Lakers rank 2ndworst in in the league with a mere 8.4 offensive boards per game over the last 5 games.

Jalen Green has been excellent over his last 18 games, averaging 22.1 points and clearing this scoring line 14 times. In that span, Green has averaged 22.4 points at home. The electric scorer has gone for 20+ in six straight home games, averaging a healthy 24.2 points in those contests.

Green leads Phoenix in usage this season at a healthy 31.2, and he’s second in shot attempts. His excellence on offense should shine through tonight, as Green will face the Rockets for the first time since getting traded with Dillon Brooks for Kevin Durant. 

The Rockets have played at the 2nd-most lethargic tempo in the NBA this year.