NBA Game Picks & Analysis
New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
New York Knicks (51-31) vs. Detroit Pistons (44-38)
Detroit; Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT
Our Pick: Knicks +2.5
BOTTOM LINE:
The New York Knicks lead this Eastern Conference first-round series 2-1 and visit Detroit aiming to finish the job. New York dominated Game 3 with a 128–98 victory, paced by Jalen Brunson’s 36 points.
CONFERENCE PLAY:
- Pistons: 29-23 vs. East, averaging 26.4 assists per game (Cade Cunningham 9.1 APG).
- Knicks: 34-18 vs. East, scoring 115.8 PPG on 48.6% shooting.
OFFENSE & DEFENSE:
- Detroit shoots 47.6%, just 0.2% above what New York allows (47.4%).
- New York makes 12.6 3-pointers per game, 1.0 fewer than Detroit concedes (13.6).
TOP PERFORMERS:
- Pistons: Cade Cunningham – 26.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 9.1 APG; Malik Beasley – 15.2 PPG (last 10).
- Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns – 24.4 PPG, 12.8 RPG; OG Anunoby – 2.1 3PM (last 10).
LAST 10 GAMES:
- Pistons (3-7): 113.5 PPG, 41.8 RPG, 24.2 APG; opponents 116.6 PPG.
- Knicks (5-5): 111.1 PPG, 38.9 RPG, 25.6 APG; opponents 110.2 PPG.
INJURIES:
- Pistons: Jaden Ivey – out (leg); Isaiah Stewart – day to day (knee).
- Knicks: No significant injuries.
WHY KNICKS COVER +2.5:
New York’s defense clamps down in road games, forcing Detroit into tough, contested shots. The Knicks’ bench delivers reliable scoring, and their balanced attack—with Brunson driving and Towns stretching the floor—controls tempo. Expect New York to win by at least a basket and cover the +2 spread.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (50-32)
Minneapolis; Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EDT
Our Pick: Timberwolves −2.5
BOTTOM LINE:
Minnesota holds a 2–1 series edge and returns home after a 97–87 win over LA on Dec. 14. Anthony Edwards poured in 23 points, while Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 18.
SEASON STATS:
- Timberwolves: 114.3 PPG, shooting 46.8% and grabbing 11.1 ORPG (Rudy Gobert 3.7).
- Lakers: 113.4 PPG, allowing 109.3 PPG, and pulling down just 42.4 RPG (LeBron James 7.8).
TOP PERFORMERS:
- Rudy Gobert: 12.0 PPG, 10.9 RPG
- Anthony Edwards: 29.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG (last 10 games)
- LeBron James: 24.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 8.2 APG
- Luka Doncic: 27.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 50.6% FG (last 10 games)
LAST 10 GAMES:
- Timberwolves (8–2): 115.4 PPG, 44.5 RPG, 25.5 APG, 6.4 SPG, 5.0 BPG, 48.7% FG; opponents 106.2 PPG
- Lakers (5–5): 111.2 PPG, 40.3 RPG, 22.5 APG, 6.8 SPG, 4.2 BPG, 47.8% FG; opponents 109.9 PPG
INJURIES:
- Timberwolves: Rob Dillingham – day to day (ankle)
- Lakers: Maxi Kleber – day to day (foot)
WHY THE TIMBERWOLVES COVER −2.5:
Minnesota’s lockdown defense at home limits teams to just 106 PPG this stretch. They dominate the boards and push the pace, generating easy transition buckets. With Edwards in scoring form and Gobert anchoring the paint, expect the Wolves to control the game and win by more than three points.
Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic
Boston Celtics (61-21, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (41-41, seventh in the Eastern Conference)
Orlando, Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT
Our Pick: Celtics −7
BOTTOM LINE:
Boston leads the series 2–1 but fell 108–104 on Dec. 24. Orlando rallied late to snap Boston’s two-game streak. Tristan da Silva had 18 and Jaylen Brown scored 35 in that contest.
SEASON STATS:
- Magic: 31–21 in the East, allowing just 105.5 PPG on 46.8% shooting.
- Celtics: 39–13, pacing the conference with 26.1 APG led by Tatum’s 6.0.
Boston averages 116.3 PPG—10.8 more than Orlando allows—and holds teams to 45.0% FG.
TOP PERFORMERS:
- Magic: Franz Wagner 24.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.7 APG; Paolo Banchero 22.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.8 APG (last 10).
- Celtics: Jayson Tatum 26.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 6.0 APG; Payton Pritchard 15.5 PPG (last 10).
LAST 10 GAMES:
- Magic (6–4): 104.2 PPG, 40.7 RPG, 22.7 APG, 45.8% FG; opponents 102.3 PPG
- Celtics (7–3): 107.3 PPG, 46.3 RPG, 24.2 APG, 45.7% FG; opponents 99.1 PPG
INJURIES:
- Magic: Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner out for season.
- Celtics: Jrue Holiday day to day (hamstring).
WHY THE CELTICS WILL COVER −7:
Boston’s defense locks opponents under 100 in wins, and they rank top five in road scoring (115 PPG). Orlando struggles in the half-court, shooting under 45% without easy looks. With Tatum commanding the offense and Brown on fire, expect Boston to control pace, force turnovers, and win by double digits.
Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Indiana Pacers (50-32, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (48-34, fifth in the Eastern Conference)
Milwaukee; Sunday, 9:30 p.m. EDT
Our Pick: Bucks −4.5
BOTTOM LINE:
The Pacers lead this first-round series 2–1, but Milwaukee stole Game 3 on March 16 with a 126–119 victory. Giannis Antetokounmpo poured in 34 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Aaron Nesmith scored 30 points in defeat for Indiana. Game 4 in Milwaukee offers the Bucks a chance to tie the series and seize momentum on their home court.
TEAM STATS:
- Bucks: 31–21 vs. Eastern foes. Milwaukee ranks seventh in the East with 115.5 PPG on 48.6% shooting. The team excels at defensive rebounding, securing 34.5 RPG (fifth in conference).
- Pacers: 10–6 in division play. Indiana ranks third in the NBA with 29.2 assists per game, sharing the ball effectively but allowing opponents to shoot 47.4%. The Pacers average 115.1 PPG while shooting 49.1% overall.
TOP PERFORMERS:
- Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo leads with 30.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG and 6.5 APG. Gary Trent Jr. adds perimeter popping with 2.8 made 3s over his last 10 games.
- Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton distributes 9.2 APG and scores 18.6 PPG. Aaron Nesmith contributes 2.2 made 3s per game in his last 10 outings.
LAST 10 GAMES:
- Bucks (8–2): 119.9 PPG, 43.8 RPG, 27.3 APG, 7.1 SPG, 4.8 BPG, 49.9% FG; opponents 114.2 PPG
- Pacers (8–2): 118.4 PPG, 45.1 RPG, 29.1 APG, 8.3 SPG, 7.6 BPG, 46.6% FG; opponents 112.4 PPG
INJURIES:
- Bucks: Tyler Smith (ankle) is day-to-day and unlikely to play.
- Pacers: Isaiah Jackson (calf) remains out for the season.
WHY THE BUCKS WILL COVER −4.5:
Milwaukee thrives at home, posting a 17–5 mark this season thanks to dominant paint scoring and second-chance points. Giannis’s drives collapse Indiana’s defense, creating open looks for sharpshooters. The Pacers struggle to contain versatile bigs and rely heavily on perimeter shooting. Expect the Bucks to control the glass, limit easy transition buckets, and pull ahead late to cover the spread.
