Thursday NBA Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Thursday, February 19.
San Antonio Spurs at Detroit Pistons, 8:05PM ET
As hopeful contenders around the NBA clamor to make themselves better at the trade deadline, the San Antonio Spurs would gladly settle for an acquisition from within.
First, though, they’ll need Manu Ginobili’s ankle to comply.
The Spurs will likely be without their star guard for a second straight game when they look to avoid a third consecutive loss for the first time since early November on Thursday night against the reeling Detroit Pistons.
Ginobili has had a variety of minor injuries throughout his seven-year NBA career, missing at least five games in every season. Offseason surgery on his left ankle forced him to miss the first 12 games in 2008-09, and he began experiencing pain in his right ankle prior to the All-Star break.
The NBA’s reigning sixth man of the year didn’t travel to New York on Tuesday as the Spurs (35-17) continued their eight-game rodeo trip, staying in San Antonio to undergo tests on the ankle.
The Spurs haven’t released specific information about the injury, but it’s unlikely Ginobili will be available for Thursday’s game – the league’s first after the 3 p.m. EST trading deadline – or the finale of the trip Saturday in Washington.
San Antonio, which was believed to have interest in New Jersey’s Vince Carter and Milwaukee’s Richard Jefferson, could have used some help with Ginobili sidelined against the Knicks. Tim Duncan missed a potential game-winning shot at the end of regulation, then New York took control in overtime, winning 112-107.
NBA Free Pick: San Antonio – View Game Matchup | Best Line:
Boston Celtics at Utah Jazz, 10:35PM ET
The Boston Celtics begin the second half of their season in a tight battle for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, but it was their recent play on the road that gave them the best record in the Eastern Conference at the All-Star break.
In the midst of six straight games away from home, the defending NBA champions will try to win their 10th consecutive road game Thursday night against the Utah Jazz, whose 37-4 home record last season included a loss to the Celtics.
While Boston (44-11) dropped home games to the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio earlier this month, the Celtics have been as steady as ever on the road since dropping six of seven outside of the TD Banknorth Garden from Dec. 25-Jan. 9.
Their nine straight road wins – one shy of their season best – were capped by victories on back-to-back nights at New Orleans and Dallas last Wednesday and Thursday, including a 99-92 win over the Mavericks in which they erased a 15-point third-quarter deficit.
Paul Pierce scored 18 of his 31 points against Dallas in the fourth quarter, including many on a similar step-back jumper that the Mavs couldn’t defend.
NBA Free Pick: Boston – View Game Matchup | Best Line:
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Posted: 2/19/09 11:26AM ET