Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Friday, March 27.
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Oklahoma City Thunder at Toronto Raptors, 7:05PM ET
Despite sitting in second-to-last place in the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors are optimistic they can finish the season strong and maybe even challenge for a playoff spot.
Toronto looks to win three straight for the first time since the All-Star break when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night.
Back-to-back victories have boosted the Raptors' confidence after a 1-8 stretch. Toronto (26-45) is a longshot to challenge for a postseason berth, but the Raptors, who haven't won three in a row since late January, aren't going to stop playing hard.
"Until someone says we cannot make the playoffs, we have to keep working and finish as strong as we can," point guard Jose Calderon said after a 115-106 win over Milwaukee on Wednesday. "I think we have played much better."
Calderon had 19 points and 11 assists while Andrea Bargnani led the team with 23 points. The Raptors outscored the Bucks 35-7 at the free-throw line and took a 65-44 lead at the half by scoring 40 points in the second quarter.
NBA Free Pick: Toronto – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -5.5 Sports Interaction
Milwaukee Bucks at Orlando Magic, 7:05PM ET
By defeating a team they were chasing in the standings their last time out, the Orlando Magic took over second place in the Eastern Conference, giving them a chance to host a potential second-round playoff series against that opponent.
Any slip up the rest of the way could cost them that opportunity.
The Magic look to build off their latest victory Friday night and avoid a letdown against the struggling Milwaukee Bucks, whom they haven't lost to at home in more than four years.
In a matchup featuring two of the best teams in the league, Orlando (53-18) defeated Boston 84-82 on Wednesday. Dwight Howard blocked a potential go-ahead layup by Paul Pierce with 3.8 seconds left and the Magic clinched their second straight Southeast Division title.
NBA Free Pick: Milwaukee – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +12 Sports Interaction
Charlotte Bobcats at Philadelphia 76ers, 7:05PM ET
The Philadelphia 76ers have put together one of their best stretches of the season to help them in their battle for playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
Fighting to get into that race, the Charlotte Bobcats haven't played nearly as well.
The Sixers go for their eighth win in 10 games - and season-high fifth straight at home - Friday night when they meet the Bobcats, who are hoping to bounce back from a disheartening defeat.
With 12 games left on its regular-season schedule, Philadelphia (37-33) is in the mix for the highly coveted fifth seed in the East and an opportunity to avoid meeting Cleveland, Boston or Orlando in the first round of the playoffs.
The Sixers feel pretty good about their chances of getting that spot after winning seven of their last nine with victories over Miami, the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland in that stretch.
Thaddeus Young scored 29 and Andre Iguodala and Andre Miller added 15 apiece as Philadelphia continued its hot streak with a 96-88 home win over Minnesota on Wednesday night.
NBA Free Pick: Charlotte – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +5.5 Sports Interaction
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Posted : March 27, 2009 12:28 am