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Free NBA Picks: Thunder at Wizards Odds
by Chad Matthews - 2/1/2014

The Oklahoma City Thunder are showing basketball critics that they can win despite the absence of all-star guard Russell Westbrook. Since the absence of Westbrook, Kevin Durant has carried the weight of the team on his back, posting more than 30 points in each of his last 12 games played until last night as he only finished with 26 points as the Thunder rested him the entire fourth quarter in a blowout win over Brooklyn. He is averaging an NBA-best averaging 31.3 points per game this season.

Free NBA Picks: Thunder at Nets Odds
by Aaron Smith - 1/30/2014

Coming off their most impressive win of the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be in Brooklyn to take on the Nets on Friday night. This game will be carried nationally by ESPN. Brooklyn had extremely high hopes heading into the season, but the Nets got off to a brutally slow start. The Nets have been playing much better of late, but they are still just 20-23 a little more than halfway through the regular season.

Free NBA Picks: Cavaliers at Knicks Odds
by Alan Matthews - 1/29/2014

Sorry, New York Knicks fans, it looks like embattled Coach Mike Woodson will make it to Super Bowl Sunday, something that didn't look like a sure thing not too long ago. Indeed, the schizophrenic Knicks are streaking again, this time in a good way. They have won three straight, all at home, entering Thursday's matchup with Cleveland.

Free NBA Picks: Thunder at Heat Odds
by Aaron Smith - 1/28/2014

Looking for a potential NBA Finals preview? Look no further than this featured matchup on Wednesday night’s slate. The Miami Heat are the heavy favorites in the Eastern Conference. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorites in the Western Conference. Miami took down Oklahoma City two years ago in the NBA Finals, and it certainly wouldn’t surprise anyone if these two teams meet to play for the title again this season.

Free NBA Picks: Pacers at Lakers Odds
by Alan Matthews - 1/27/2014

You know how some members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins supposedly get together with a bottle of bubbly whenever the last unbeaten team in the NFL is beaten each season? Well, maybe one member of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls (Dennis Rodman?) will do the same this week when the Indiana Pacers lose their 11th game of the year. That would obviously mean the Bulls' record of 72 wins would be safe for another year. I think that record is probably safe forever, and the Pacers obviously weren't going to break it.

Free NBA Picks: Hawks at Thunder Odds
by Dave Schwab - 1/27/2014

The Atlanta Hawks will wrap up a quick two-day road trip with a stop at the Chesapeake Energy Center this Monday night to take on the high-flying Oklahoma City Thunder. This contest is slated to tip off at 8 p.m. (ET), and the game will be available on NBA League Pass.

Free NBA Picks: Bulls at Bobcats Odds
by Alan Matthews - 1/24/2014

Kobe Bryant recently said he didn't like the current NBA game because there was too much "finesse" involved. Scoring is most definitely way up, just as the league wants, with less contact involved. So if you like offensive basketball, avert your eyes for Saturday's game between the Bulls and Bobcats in Charlotte because they are two of the few teams in the league that win with defense and prefer scores in the 80s instead of 100s. The total set on this game will be one of the lowest of the season.

Free NBA Picks: Grizzlies at Rockets Odds
by Aaron Smith - 1/23/2014

The Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the biggest disappointments in the league so far this year. Through 40 games, their record is dead even at 20-20. That’s hard to believe for a team that was in the Western Conference Finals last season.

Free NBA Picks: Nuggets at Blazers Odds
by Alan Matthews - 1/22/2014

This probably will be the only time I do a Nuggets-Blazers preview this season -- they play again Feb. 25 in Denver and March 1 in Portland -- and I knew my story line right away going in: I've said this before in a Blazers story, but I think they are the 2013-14 version of last season's Nuggets.

Free NBA Picks: Pacers at Suns Odds
by Aaron Smith - 1/21/2014

The Indiana Pacers have the best record in the NBA. Indiana comes in sporting an impressive 33-7 record on the year. Indiana has proven they can do it at home or on the road. Their 102-94 win at Golden State Monday showed this team is capable of beating top teams on the road. Phoenix was expected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA, but they have been one of the biggest surprises in the league.

Free NBA Picks: Magic at Nets Odds
by Alan Matthews - 1/20/2014

Are the Brooklyn Nets actual contenders after all? If you had asked that question three weeks ago, the answer would have been a resounding “no”. However, 2014 has been good to Brooklyn as it has won seven of eight games, including over title favorites Oklahoma City and Miami. Can the Nets really beat the Heat or Pacers in the playoffs with all-star center Brook Lopez done for the season? Highly doubtful, but reaching the conference semifinals seems doable in the weak East.

Free NBA Picks: Pacers at Warriors Odds
by Dave Schwab - 1/20/2014

Monday’s action in the NBA closes things out with an inter-conference battle between the Indiana Pacers and the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena. This game is scheduled to tip off at 10:30 p.m. (ET), and it will be broadcast nationally on TNT.

Free NBA Picks: Bucks at Rockets Odds and Predictions
by Alan Matthews - 1/17/2014

The NBA season is an 82-game grind, so there are going to be bad losses for any team (just ask the two-time champion Miami Heat). The key thing about a bad loss is to immediately put it in the rear-view mirror and move on. Thus, I am very interested to see how Houston responds to an absolutely horrific home defeat on Thursday night to Oklahoma City when the Rockets host the NBA's worst team on Saturday, Milwaukee. There's no reason this shouldn't be a rout, but if the Rockets have a hangover and struggle, or actually lose, then that's on the coach.

Free NBA Picks: Blazers at Spurs Odds
by Aaron Smith - 1/16/2014

When the Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs meet on Friday night, two of the very best teams in the Western Conference will square off for the second time this year. Portland beat San Antonio 115-105 at the Rose Garden in November. Portland had the best record in the NBA for much of the early season, but they have slowed down a bit of late.

Free NBA Picks: Knicks at Pacers Odds
by Alan Matthews - 1/15/2014

Was the New York Knicks' five-game winning streak fool's gold or was Tuesday's loss at struggling Charlotte just one of those trap games? I lean the latter, slightly. I would argue only two of the Knicks' wins in that five-game run (4-1 ATS) were quality: at Dallas on Jan. 5 and at home against Miami last Thursday on TNT -- a game in which I recommended taking New York and the points.

Free NBA Picks: Nuggets at Warriors Odds
by Aaron Smith - 1/14/2014

The Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors will do battle on Wednesday night on ESPN. Golden State won the only meeting between these two so far this year. After a mediocre start, the Warriors have won 11 of their last 12 games overall. Denver sits only one game above .500 on the season, but the Nuggets have won five of their last six games overall. There’s always a lot on the line when these two teams square off.

Free NBA Picks: Cavaliers at Lakers Odds
by Alan Matthews - 1/13/2014

It probably won't be a warm return to Los Angeles on Tuesday night for Cleveland head coach Mike Brown as he faces off against the Lakers for the first time since he was fired by the team early last season. As it turns out, it may have been the best thing to happen to Brown as the Cavs, at least right now, appear to have a brighter future than the Lakers.

Free NBA Picks: Wizards at Bulls Odds
by Dave Schwab - 1/13/2014

The Washington Wizards will pay a visit to the United Center this Monday night to square off against the Chicago Bulls in an Eastern Conference clash. Tip off is slated for 8 p.m. (ET), and the game will be broadcast nationally on NBA TV.

Free NBA Picks: Bucks at Thunder Odds
by Alan Matthews - 1/10/2014

There are mismatches and then there are mismatches. You won't see maybe but a handful bigger than Saturday night's matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks, the only team in the NBA still yet to get double-digit wins, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. To make it even more lopsided, the Bucks had to travel on Friday night after hosting Chicago. The Thunder have been off since Thursday.

Free NBA Picks: Heat at Knicks Odds
by Alan Matthews - 1/8/2014

Surprise, surprise, the Miami Heat and New York Knicks are being showcased on the NBA's TNT Thursday doubleheader this week. Those two have to lead the league in such appearances. I rather like this rivalry because the Knicks think they are arch-rivals of Miami. The Heat consider the Knicks an annoying pest like a gnat and miles away from their basketball stratosphere. Of course, Miami won't even acknowledge Indiana as a rival, but that arrogance seems to work well with the Heat.