NBA Thursday Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Wednesday, March 12.
Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs, 8:05PM ET
After some recent road struggles against other contenders in the Western Conference, the first-place Los Angeles Lakers had to feel good about taking down one of the conference’s hottest teams in their last game.
They just hope to have something left for another big matchup in the finale of a three-game trip.
The Lakers look to build on a hard-fought win when they visit the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night in the final regular-season matchup between the teams with the best records in the West.
Los Angeles (51-13) lost consecutive road games against playoff hopefuls Denver, Phoenix and Portland before snapping the skid with a 102-96 win at Houston on Wednesday.
Kobe Bryant scored 31 of his 37 points in the second half – including 18 in the fourth quarter – as the Lakers overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to snap the Rockets’ 12-game home winning streak.
Most of the postgame conversation surrounded a heated fourth-quarter exchange between Bryant and Rockets forward Ron Artest, who continued to jaw at each other the rest of the game.
NBA Free Pick: San Antonio – View Game Matchup | Best Line:
Cleveland Cavaliers at Phoenix Suns, 10:35PM ET
The Cleveland Cavaliers are eyeing the NBA’s best record and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Phoenix Suns are quickly losing sight of their postseason chances.
The Cavaliers look to continue their dominance over the Western Conference on Thursday night by winning in Phoenix for the first time in a decade.
Cleveland (50-13) goes for its third straight victory following Tuesday’s 87-83 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. LeBron James notched his second consecutive triple-double and fifth of the season with 32 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists as the Cavaliers opened their three-game western swing by rallying from a 19-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
NBA Free Pick: Cleveland – View Game Matchup | Best Line:
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Posted: 3/12/09 3:17PM ET