NBA Picks and Predictions for Sunday, March 15

Last Updated on March 15, 2009 9:29 am by Anthony Rome

Sunday NBA Picks

Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Sunday, March 15.

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Boston Celtics at

Milwaukee Bucks,
8:35PM ET

For the second straight season, the NBA’s Atlantic Division was all but settled by Christmas.

But the Boston Celtics hope to make it official Sunday afternoon, when the banged-up defending champions can clinch their second straight division crown with a road victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

It was just two seasons ago that the Celtics finished last in the Atlantic, but the acquisitions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen enabled Boston (50-16) to leapfrog all four division foes by a wide margin. The Celtics finished last season 25 games ahead of

Toronto, clinching the division title
March 14, 2008.

Holding a 16 1/2-game lead on second-place

Philadelphia, the Celtics can do it one day later this season, but they’ll open a two-game
Midwest swing still significantly weakened by injuries.

While point guard Rajon Rondo returned from a two-game absence in Friday night’s 102-92 win over

Memphis, Garnett was one of four players who remained out, and he’s expected to miss at least another week.

NBA Free Pick:

Boston – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -6.5 SPORTSBETTING.COM

Memphis Grizzlies at

Detroit Pistons,
1:05PM ET

The Detroit Pistons may not have a championship-caliber team this season, but they’re starting to play more like the club that gave Bill Davidson one of his many titles nearly five years ago.

Two days after their Hall of Fame owner passed away, the Pistons look to continue an impressive run and extend a seven-game winning streak against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.

Davidson, who saw

Detroit win three titles, died Friday at 86. The cause of death wasn’t immediately known.

Davidson also owned the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning when they won a championship in 2004, eight days before the Pistons won their last title.

That

Detroit club won with tough defense and outstanding teamwork, attributes that have been somewhat lacking during this disappointing season.

The Pistons (33-31) acquired Allen Iverson from

Denver in exchange for popular point guard Chauncey Billups early this season, and they struggled to find the chemistry that helped them advance to at least the Eastern Conference finals each of the past six years.

NBA Free Pick:

Memphis – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +9 SPORTSBETTING.COM

Dallas Mavericks at

Los Angeles Lakers,
3:35PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are the Pacific Division champions. That’s clearly not the title they’ve had their eye on.

Two days after clinching a playoff spot, the Lakers continue their quest for the NBA’s best record Sunday afternoon as they face a potential first-round opponent when the Dallas Mavericks visit

Staples
Center.

While

Los Angeles (52-13) has a big lead atop the Western Conference,

Dallas (40-26) is in eighth place but is closer to the second spot than ninth.

The Mavericks have only won three road games against the Lakers in the past 18 seasons and are facing a

Los Angeles team which is a conference-best 29-4 at home, including six straight wins.

The Lakers are coming off a road win over the second-best team in the West, closing a a three-game road trip with a 102-95 victory in

San Antonio on Tuesday. The victory clinched a playoff berth and the division title, but the Lakers have more lofty goals.

NBA Free Pick: LA Clippers – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +9.5 SPORTSBETTING.COM

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Posted:
3/15/09 9:37AM ET