NBA Game Picks & Analysis
New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
New York Knicks (51-31, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Detroit Pistons (44-38, sixth in the Eastern Conference)
Detroit, Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT
Our Pick: Knicks –1.5
BOTTOM LINE:
With the series knotted at one win apiece, the Knicks travel to Detroit looking to regain control. New York’s depth and stay-at-home defense should help them pull out a close road victory and cover the slim spread.
TEAM PROFILES:
- Pistons: 29–23 vs. East; 23–17 in games decided by 10+ points. Detroit shoots 47.6% from the floor, 0.2% above what New York allows.
- Knicks: 34–18 vs. East; outscore opponents by 4.1 PPG. New York makes 12.6 threes per game, just one fewer than Detroit concedes.
TOP PERFORMERS:
- Pistons: Cade Cunningham – 26.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 9.1 APG. Malik Beasley – 16.7 PPG (last 10).
- Knicks: Josh Hart – 13.6 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.5 SPG. OG Anunoby – 16.7 PPG (last 10).
LAST 10 GAMES:
- Pistons: 3–7, 112.3 PPG, 41.9 RPG, 24.2 APG; opponents 117.1 PPG.
- Knicks: 5–5, 109.8 PPG, 39.3 RPG, 25.7 APG; opponents 107.7 PPG.
INJURIES:
- Pistons: Jaden Ivey – out (leg), Isaiah Stewart – DTD (knee).
- Knicks: None listed.
WHY THE KNICKS WILL COVER –1.5:
New York thrives in tight games (8–6 in one-possession contests) and their defense has held Detroit under 110 points twice in three meetings. The Knicks’ bench also outscored Detroit’s reserves in Game 2, giving them the edge to win a low-scoring night and cover the spread.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14, 1st in the Western Conference) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (48-34, 8th in the Western Conference)
Memphis, Tennessee; Thursday, 9:30 p.m. EDT
Our Pick: Thunder –9.5
BOTTOM LINE:
Oklahoma City has dominated the opening two games and looks poised to wrap up the series at home. The Thunder’s high-powered offense and depth should hand Memphis another lopsided loss and cover the spread.
TEAM PROFILES:
- Grizzlies: 27–24 vs. Western Conference teams. Memphis ranks third in the NBA with 12.9 offensive rebounds per game (Zach Edey leads with 6.5).
- Thunder: 39–13 vs. the West. Oklahoma City is fourth in the conference, shooting 37.4% from deep, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
KEY STATS:
- Memphis makes 47.9% of its field goals, 4.3% more than the Thunder allow (43.6%).
- Oklahoma City scores 120.5 points per game, 3.6 more than the 116.9 the Grizzlies concede.
TOP PERFORMERS:
- Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr. – 22.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.5 BPG; Ja Morant – 21.7 PPG, 4.4 APG (last 10).
- Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 32.7 PPG, 6.4 APG, 1.7 SPG; Jalen Williams – 19.8 PPG, 3.3 APG (last 10).
LAST 10 GAMES:
- Grizzlies: 4–6, averaging 111.6 PPG, 46.5 RPG, 22.7 APG; opponents 116.6 PPG.
- Thunder: 8–2, averaging 124.4 PPG, 45.5 RPG, 27.2 APG; opponents 109.3 PPG.
INJURIES:
- Grizzlies: Jaylen Wells (wrist) and Brandon Clarke (knee) out for season.
- Thunder: Ousmane Dieng – day to day (calf); Nikola Topic – out (ACL).
WHY THE THUNDER WILL COVER –9.5:
Oklahoma City’s offense is clicking at a historic rate, and Memphis has struggled to slow down fast-paced attacks all series. The Thunder’s bench has outscored Memphis’ reserves by double digits, making this a comfortable road win and an easy cover.
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Denver Nuggets (50-32, 4th in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (50-32, 5th in the Western Conference)
Inglewood, California; Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT
Our Pick: Clippers –5.5
BOTTOM LINE:
With the series knotted at one game apiece, the Clippers get a chance to seize control at home. Their suffocating defense and recent offensive surge should smother Denver’s attack and easily cover the –5.5 spread.
TEAM PROFILES:
- Clippers: 29–23 vs. conference foes, averaging 112.9 PPG and outscoring opponents by 4.7 points. At home, they’re especially deadly, riding a strong shooting touch and physical perimeter defense.
- Nuggets: 32–20 in conference play, leading the West with 31.0 assists per game (Nikola Jokić paces them with 10.2). They still struggle when their ball movement is slowed.
KEY STATS:
- LA scores 112.9 PPG, 4.0 fewer than the 116.9 Denver allows.
- Denver makes 12.0 threes per game, one fewer than the 13.0 Clippers allow.
TOP PERFORMERS:
- Clippers: Ivica Zubac – 16.8 PPG, 12.6 RPG; James Harden – 25.1 PPG (last 10).
- Nuggets: Jamal Murray – 21.4 PPG, 6.0 APG; Jokić – 28.1 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 56.2% FG (last 10).
LAST 10 GAMES:
- Clippers: 9–1, averaging 115.5 PPG, 41.8 RPG, 25.8 APG; opponents 104.7 PPG.
- Nuggets: 5–5, averaging 117.9 PPG, 47.2 RPG, 29.3 APG; opponents 114.0 PPG.
INJURIES:
- Clippers: None listed.
- Nuggets: DaRon Holmes II out for season (Achilles).
WHY BET THE CLIPPERS –5.5:
Los Angeles has dominated at home, playing stingy defense that disrupts Denver’s passing lanes. Their recent 9–1 tear shows they’re peaking at the right moment. Expect the Clips’ balanced attack to pull away early and cover comfortably.
