Wednesday NBA Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Wednesday, March 18.
Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks, 8:05PM ET
With their last game on the line, a frustrated Orlando Magic team couldn’t find ways to get Dwight Howard the ball. That shouldn’t be a problem against their next opponent.
After falling short in an attempt to close the gap at the top of the Eastern Conference, Howard and the Magic visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.
While Cleveland and Boston have received most of the attention in the East, Orlando (49-18) has worked its way into contention for the conference’s top seed with a strong March. The Magic won six of their first seven games this month, including an 86-79 win at Boston on March 8.
Orlando, however, was unable to take a step closer to catching the first-place Cavaliers, losing 97-93 in Cleveland on Tuesday. The Magic dropped five games behind the Cavaliers and remained one-half game behind the Celtics, who lost at Chicago.
NBA Free Pick: Orlando – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -5.5 SPORTSBETTING.COM
Philadelphia 76ers at Phoenix Suns, 10:05PM ET
The Phoenix Suns’ hopes of pulling back into the Western Conference playoff race have been bolstered by wins over two teams long out of it.
Beating the streaking Philadelphia 76ers would likely provide an even bigger confidence boost.
The Suns look to follow one of their most impressive offensive performances in years with another strong showing Wednesday night when they host the Sixers, coming off a dramatic win in the opener of a five-game western road trip.
Phoenix (36-31) seemingly faded out of contention in the competitive West race during a season-high six-game losing streak from March 3-12.
After snapping the skid with a home win over Oklahoma City on Saturday night and routing Golden State 154-130 the next day, however, the Suns insist they’re still in the playoff picture.
It certainly helped that Dallas, which currently holds the eighth and final playoff spot, dropped both its games over the weekend. The Mavericks’ win Tuesday left the ninth-place Suns 4 1/2 games back.
NBA Free Pick: Phoenix – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -6 SPORTSBETTING.COM
Washington Wizards at Los Angeles Clippers, 10:35PM ET
It’s been a long season for the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers, but one of these teams will come away with a rare victory when they meet Wednesday night.
The Wizards look for their fourth straight win over the Clippers as they square off at Staples Center.
The Clippers (16-51) have the second-worst record in the Western Conference behind Sacramento and third-worst in the NBA. Just below them are the Wizards (16-52), who extended its winning streak over Los Angeles with a 106-94 triumph on Jan. 31 in Washington.
Washington has beaten New Jersey, Sacramento and Minnesota twice in 2008-09, but the Wizards also come into this game having dropped 11 of their last 13 on the road, including a 103-88 loss to Utah on Tuesday.
The Wizards shot 35.6 percent and scored only 15 first-quarter points. Nick Young and Juan Dixon each scored a team-high 14 points, while Antawn Jamison had 13 and 10 rebounds.
NBA Free Pick: Washington – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +7 SPORTSBETTING.COM
Did you like this article? Subscribe to our Basketball news feed for the fastest updates delivered right to you – Click here to Subscribe
Posted: 3/18/09 10:16AM ET