After a busy Wednesday night of NBA action, things calm down a bit as we get closer to the end of the working week. Fans can still enjoy NBA games on Thursday night, though, as we are blessed with a light four-game schedule. Most of the four matchups figure to be a bit lop-sided, but with the way pro basketball goes, that first glance at the matchups at hand can be dangerous.
Let’s not give way to knee-jerk reactions, and instead take a close look at all four of tonight’s NBA games before making any rash decisions:
New York Knicks @ Indiana Pacers
The Knicks head to Indy fresh off of a crazy win over the Thunder. No one saw that one coming, but they got it and now they could easily find themselves with their second win in a row. The Knicks are starving for talent, but they actually have pieced together a decent rotation of guys that are giving it their all – namely Lance Thomas, Jason Smith and Langston Galloway. They don’t know any better than to just play full throttle and it’s played a big hand in the Knickerbockers winning four of their last 10 games. That’s not amazing, but when they have just nine wins on the year, it has to mean something. They take a hit tonight with Carmelo Anthony possibly out (rest), though, so it’s hard to trust the Knicks in back to back games. Indy, on the other hand, continues to play stellar team defense and is at home. If they can get C.J. Miles back, they’ll get an extra boost, but they’re the safer pick, either way.
Pick: Pacers 89, Knicks 86
Milwaukee Bucks @ Orlando Magic
The Magic easily disposed of the Bucks last time they visited Orlando, so a much improved Milwaukee bunch will try to even the series tonight. The Bucks have been playing up and down basketball all year, but they tend to play solid defense and can compete with just about anyone. Orlando has a clear advantage down low with center Nikola Vucevic, while it’d be nice to see Tobias Harris (currently coming off the bench) get back into the starting lineup. The Magic appear to have more sheer talent on the floor on a nightly basis, but the Bucks are a more cohesive unit and the coaching provides quite a wide gap. We like Milwaukee to steal the road win tonight.
Pick: Bucks 102, Magic 94
Denver Nuggets @ Memphis Grizzlies
Denver destroyed the Grizzlies the last time they met back in early January, but the tables could be turned tonight now that this matchup is in Memphis. The Grizzlies are a little banged up and could be without Mike Conley, but they’re much more disciplined defensively at home. There’s no doubt the Nuggets can’t handle Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph down low, so the key will be keeping Ty Lawson and Denver’s high octane offense in check. Denver finally snapped an ugly seven game skid, but things are shaping up for another losing streak to get started when they head into Memphis tonight.
Pick: Grizzlies 107, Nuggets 103
Chicago Bulls @ Los Angeles Lakers
The capper tonight could be a blowout by the half, as Kobe Bryant (shoulder) is done for the year and Nick Young could also miss this one. That puts added pressure on Jordan Clarkson and Wayne Ellington, who delivered surprisingly great lines in their last game, but could struggle with consistency. Even at home, the Lakers are severe underdogs tonight, although it’s worth noting that the Bulls have gone just 5-5 in their past 10 contests, while their defense hasn’t been as nasty as it has in year’s past. They did just go into Golden State and get a huge win, though, so we could be seeing them turning the corner a bit. Jimmy Butler sat out the last game and could miss this one, too, so if he’s out the Lakers might have more of a chance. At first glance, though, Chicago is the vastly superior team and the Lake Show hosts this one riding a nine-game skid. Advantage: Bulls.
Pick: Bulls 109, Lakers 104
