Monday NBA Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Monday, March 16.
Portland Trail Blazers at Memphis Grizzlies, 8:05PM ET
The race for first place in the Northwest Division will probably be one of the best down the stretch. That’s why the Portland Trail Blazers must be at their best on a key five-game road trip.
Looking for just their second road win in nine games, the Trail Blazers meet the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.
The Trail Blazers (41-25) are in the mix for their first playoff berth since 2003, and first division title in a decade – facts made more remarkable considering they’re just 13-19 on the road in 2008-09.
Portland opened its trip on Sunday with a 98-80 loss to Atlanta. That dropped it one-half game behind Northwest-leading Denver, but also kept it one-half game ahead of Utah, which fell at Orlando.
Following its game against last-place Memphis (17-48), Portland will face Indiana, Cleveland and Milwaukee before returning home. While the Cavaliers are Central Division champions, the Pacers and Bucks are a combined 19 games below .500.
But the Blazers are coming off a frustrating afternoon against Atlanta, scoring their fewest points in more than two months while committing 18 turnovers, leading to 26 points. Portland trailed by nine late in the third quarter, then watched as Atlanta went on a 19-9 run to put the game out of reach.
NBA Free Pick: Portland – View Game Matchup | Best Line: NA SPORTSBETTING.COM
Houston Rockets at New Orleans Hornets, 8:05PM ET
As good as the Houston Rockets and New Orleans Hornets have been on defense, they’re going to have to tighten up even more if their offensive woes continue.
In a key matchup for playoff positioning in the Western Conference, the Rockets and Hornets look to bounce back from poor scoring efforts Monday night.
Strong defensive play has allowed Houston (43-25) and New Orleans (41-24) to overcome their scoring problems, and both teams are in the hunt to catch San Antonio for the Southwest Division title and No. 2 seed in the West. The Rockets trail the Spurs by 2 1/2 games and the Hornets are behind by three.
New Orleans is allowing 93.5 points per game and Houston 94.8. At some point, however, both clubs are going to need more scoring than they got Saturday night, as Houston lost 88-85 to San Antonio and New Orleans fell 97-79 to Chicago.
NBA Free Pick: Houston – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -3.5 SPORTSBETTING.COM
New Jersey Nets at Denver Nuggets, 9:05PM ET
The Denver Nuggets are taking advantage of a seemingly easy portion of their schedule and have moved back atop the Northwest Division. Don’t expect them to take the slumping New Jersey Nets lightly – especially after their last meeting.
Denver looks to avenge its worst loss in more than a decade when it wraps up a four-game homestand Monday night against the Nets, who could be without All-Star point guard and leading scorer Devin Harris.
On Feb. 18, Denver (42-25) was second in the Western Conference and had a 3 1/2-game lead in the Northwest. After losing eight of 11, though, the Nuggets dropped to seventh in the conference and one game in back of new division co-leaders Portland and Utah.
Denver opened its current homestand with a 97-95 loss to Houston last Monday, but bounced back with Wednesday’s 112-99 win over Oklahoma City followed by Saturday’s 107-94 victory over the Los Angles Clippers to move back into first, where they are one-half game ahead of the Blazers.
The Nuggets, who haven’t won three in a row since Feb. 10-18, hope to increase their lead at Memphis on Wednesday and home against Washington on Friday.
NBA Free Pick: New Jersey – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +9 SPORTSBETTING.COM
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Posted: 3/16/09 11:04AM ET