Last Updated on March 26, 2009 6:00 am by shah
Thursday NBA Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Thursday, March 26.
Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons, 7:35PM ET
Armed with a big lead early in their last game, the Los Angeles Lakers emptied their bench and put their depth on display.
The injury-depleted Detroit Pistons haven’t had many chances to do that lately.
The Lakers look to take advantage of the Pistons’ ongoing injury woes and win at The Palace for the first time in more than seven years Thursday night.
Los Angeles (56-14) has the best record in the Western Conference, due largely to an MVP-caliber season from Kobe Bryant and the consistent contributions of fellow All-Star Pau Gasol.
The Lakers, though, also boast solid role players throughout their lineup, as evidenced by the balanced production they got in Tuesday night’s 107-89 win at Oklahoma City – their sixth in seven games. Bryant and Gasol helped build a 17-point lead after one quarter and six Lakers scored in double figures as the team used all 12 active players.
Josh Powell had 14 points and Luke Walton added 11 to lead the reserves, who have helped ease the burden on the team’s star players as the postseason approaches.
NBA Free Pick: Detroit – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +7.5 SPORTSBETTING.COM
Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls, 8:05PM ET
All games in this series since 1996
CHICAGO is 31-28 against the spread versus MIAMI since 1996
MIAMI is 34-27 straight up against CHICAGO since 1996
31 of 61 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL since 1996
Games over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 8-6 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 9-5 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
7 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
All games played at CHICAGO since 1996
CHICAGO is 17-12 against the spread versus MIAMI since 1996
CHICAGO is 18-12 straight up against MIAMI since 1996
18 of 30 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL since 1996
Games played at CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 3-3 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 5-1 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NBA Free Pick: Chicago – View Game Matchup | Best Line: NA SPORTSBETTING.COM
Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers, 10:35PM ET
All games in this series since 1996
PHOENIX is 30-20 against the spread versus PORTLAND since 1996
PHOENIX is 29-22 straight up against PORTLAND since 1996
28 of 48 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL since 1996
Games over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 7-3 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 9-1 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
All games played at PORTLAND since 1996
PHOENIX is 17-9 against the spread versus PORTLAND since 1996
PORTLAND is 13-13 straight up against PHOENIX since 1996
14 of 25 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL since 1996
Games played at PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 4-1 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 4-1 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NBA Free Pick: Phoenix – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +7 SPORTSBETTING.COM
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Posted: 3/26/09 6:00AM ET