Saturday NBA Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Saturday, March 28.
Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls, 2:05PM ET
A late-season surge has given the Chicago Bulls a good opportunity to return to the playoffs. It may be too late for a hot streak to help the Indiana Pacers’ postseason hopes.
The Bulls look to keep pace in the tightly contested Eastern Conference and continue their recent surge at home when they face the Pacers on Saturday night.
Chicago (35-38) has won nine of 10 at home and six of seven overall, putting it in seventh place in the East. The Bulls, just percentage points ahead of Detroit, are trying to return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.
NBA Free Pick: Chicago – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -8 SPORTSBETTING.COM
Milwaukee Bucks at Miami Heat, 7:35PM ET
Returning home could help the Miami Heat get back on track, even against the struggling Milwaukee Bucks, who have played well at American Airlines Arena of late.
The Heat look to bounce back from a pair of losses while trying for a season-high sixth straight home victory Saturday night against the Bucks.
Miami (38-34) lost 106-87 at Chicago on Thursday, one night after falling 90-88 at Indiana. Despite suffering consecutive losses after winning two in a row, the Heat moved into the fifth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after Philadelphia lost to Charlotte on Friday.
The Heat’s overall success can be traced to their play at home. After going 9-32 there last season, Miami is 25-11 on its home floor, where it has won eight of its last nine contests. The Heat are averaging 121.2 points during their current home winning stretch.
Looking to win six in a row at home for the first time since a 14-game winning streak from Jan. 22-March 16, 2007, Miami has struggled of late against Milwaukee at American Airlines Arena.
NBA Free Pick: Milwaukee – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +9 SPORTSBETTING.COM
Phoenix Suns at Utah Jazz, 9:05PM ET
Strong defensive play during a 13-game home winning streak has helped keep Utah in playoff position. That run won’t last much longer if the Jazz can’t put forth a better effort in transition.
The Jazz look to avenge a loss earlier this week to the high-scoring Phoenix Suns on Saturday night in a matchup of teams hoping to reach the playoffs.
Utah (44-27), seeking to keep pace with first-place Denver in the Northwest Division, will play five of its last 11 games at home. The Jazz will need to take advantage of off all of their remaining contests at Energy Solutions Arena as they try to climb up from seventh place in the Western Conference.
Utah is allowing just 90.8 points per game during its winning streak at home, allowing 100 points once during that span – a 113-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 11.
Once again, the Jazz will be thoroughly tested to keep up with a desperate Suns team. Phoenix (40-32), trying to make a late run to catch Dallas for the last playoff spot in the West, shot 54.9 percent in a 118-114 home win over Utah on Wednesday night for its season-high sixth straight win.
The Jazz tried to run with the up-tempo Suns but were outscored 31-14 on the fast break.
NBA Free Pick: Utah – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -7.5 SPORTSBETTING.COM
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Posted: 3/28/09 12:40AM ET