Last Updated on March 17, 2009 10:23 am by Anthony Rome
Tuesday NBA Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Tuesday March 17.
Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:05PM ET
This is the Orlando Magic’s best chance yet to prove they truly are title contenders.
Often overlooked in the Eastern Conference as the focus has remained on the two teams ahead of them, the Magic could change all that by becoming only the second visiting team all season to win in Cleveland.
Or the Cavaliers will just boost their case as the team to beat in the East.
One of the most intriguing games of the final month of the season takes place Tuesday night as LeBron James and Dwight Howard try to carry their teams to a key victory at Quicken Loans Arena.
"They’re a very good road team. We’re a very good home team," James said. "We’re looking forward to the challenge and I bet those guys are looking forward to the challenge also."
While Cleveland is a league-best 29-1 at home, Orlando has the best road record in the East at 23-10.
NBA Free Pick: Cleveland – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -6 SPORTSBETTING.COM
Sacramento Kings at Atlanta Hawks, 7:05PM ET
The Atlanta Hawks have faced playoff contenders throughout a five-game winning streak. That won’t be the case in their next contest as they take on a Sacramento Kings team that’s trying to avoid an NBA record for futility.
With a chance to match their longest run of the season, the Hawks look to hand the league-worst Kings their latest loss to an Eastern Conference team Tuesday night.
Atlanta (39-28) has beaten Detroit, New Orleans, Utah, Indiana and Portland during its win streak. The only team in that group not currently in playoff position is the Pacers, who are 2 1/2 games behind Milwaukee and Chicago for eighth place in the East.
A win versus Sacramento (14-52) would give the Hawks six straight victories for the third time this season, and the Kings don’t seem to be in any position to end Atlanta’s run.
A 106-104 defeat to Washington on Sunday night gave Sacramento the NBA’s worst record and dropped it to 0-26 versus the East. No team has ever gone winless against the other conference.
NBA Free Pick: Sacramento – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +12 SPORTSBETTING.COM
Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls, 8:35PM ET
With Kevin Garnett hurt, the Boston Celtics haven’t been playing like top contenders. Still, they fall right in line with the quality opponents that have made the Chicago Bulls’ run at home so impressive.
Coming off perhaps their worst loss of the season, the Celtics look to end the Bulls’ five-game run at the United Center and win their seventh straight in the series Tuesday night.
Boston (50-17) is 3 1/2 games behind Cleveland for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, but a 6-5 stretch without Garnett (sprained right knee) has hurt its chances of catching the Cavaliers. Garnett isn’t expected to return until Friday night against San Antonio at the earliest.
The Celtics have lost three of four and set their season low for points in an 86-77 defeat to Milwaukee on Sunday. They’ve been held to less than 80 points in two of their last four games.
NBA Free Pick: Boston – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -2 SPORTSBETTING.COM
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Posted: 3/17/09 10:20AM ET