Monday NBA Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Monday, February 9.
Phoenix Suns at Philadelphia 76ers, 7:05PM ET
The Philadelphia 76ers might be a better team without Elton Brand.
For the time being, the Phoenix Suns won’t have to worry about getting by without one of their top players.
On Monday night, the 76ers look for a third straight win since losing the former All-Star to a season-ending injury, while trying to prevent the visiting Suns from winning their third in a row.
Philadelphia (25-24) won 94-84 over Miami on Saturday to improve to 3-2 on a season-long seven-game homestand.
The win came two days after the 76ers avoided a third straight loss with a 99-94 victory over Indiana and had learned Brand would miss the rest of the season to undergo shoulder surgery.
The 76ers, seventh in the Eastern Conference, improved to 12-8 without Brand, who averaged 13.8 points and 8.8 rebounds in 29 games during the first of a five-year, $80 million contract with the club.
NBA Free Pick: Philadelphia – View Game Matchup | Best Line:
Houston Rockets at Milwaukee Bucks, 8:05PM ET
Thanks to some timely contributions, the New Orleans Hornets have gotten back on track without All-Star guard Chris Paul. With the Memphis Grizzlies next on the schedule, New Orleans appears likely to stay on track.
The Hornets seek their third straight victory Monday when they visit the Grizzlies.
Though the Hornets (30-18) have dropped three of their last four road games overall, they generally have their way with the perennially woeful Grizzlies, who occupy last place in the Southwest Division for the third consecutive season. New Orleans has won its last four visits to Memphis, and 12 of the last 13 overall meetings in this series.
The Hornets were undermanned for Sunday’s home game against Minnesota. A groin strain kept Paul out of his third straight contest, Tyson Chandler (ankle) also sat, and David West was ejected after a flagrant foul in the second quarter.
However, New Orleans got 23 points from Rasual Butler and a career-high 18 from Sean Marks in a 101-97 win – its second straight following a four-game losing streak.
NBA Free Pick: New Orleans – View Game Matchup | Best Line:
New Orleans Hornets at Memphis Grizzlies, 8:05PM ET
The Houston Rockets have struggled defensively over the last three weeks. They’ve had little trouble in that area, however, when they’ve faced the Milwaukee Bucks lately.
Houston looks to win its ninth straight over the Bucks when the teams meet at the Bradley Center on Monday night.
The Rockets (31-20) finally turned in another strong defensive performance Sunday, beating Minnesota 107-90. Houston held the Timberwolves to 39.8 percent shooting and outrebounded them 51-39 to win for the third time in four games.
The Rockets gave up their lowest point total since a 93-86 victory over Miami on Jan. 17. Houston started to have problems at the defensive end after that, giving up 102.2 points and 46.9 percent shooting over the following nine games – going 5-4 in that span – before knocking off Minnesota.
NBA Free Pick: Over – View Game Matchup | Best Line:
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Posted: 2/9/09 2:00PM ET