NBA Picks and Predictions for Monday April 13
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Monday, April 13.
Chicago Bulls at Detroit Pistons, 7:35PM ET
The Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons both know they're going to have a tough first-round series once the playoffs begin.
While the veteran Pistons have accepted this fate, the young Bulls are still trying to gain momentum and avoid a first-round matchup with Cleveland.
Chicago looks to clinch at least the seventh seed with its 12th win in 15 games and relegate Detroit to the eighth when they meet Monday night at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
With Saturday's 113-106 victory over Charlotte, the seventh-place Bulls (40-40) moved a game ahead of the Pistons, 106-102 losers to Indiana earlier in the evening. While a playoff berth is somewhat unexpected for Chicago - which was 12th in the Eastern Conference at the end of January - the Bulls aren't satisfied with simply qualifying for the postseason.
NBA Free Pick: Detroit | Best Line: -4 SPORTSBETTING.COM
Charlotte Bobcats at New Jersey Nets, 7:35PM ET
The New Jersey Nets had three rookie starters in their last game. They'll be in position to add another young contributor for next season.
With All-Star guard Devin Harris still bothered by a shoulder injury, the Nets may have to start their trio of first-year players again when they face the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday night in a matchup of lottery-bound teams.
Two games remain for a New Jersey team that will miss the playoffs for the second straight season. The Nets (33-47) were eliminated from playoff contention Wednesday night and are headed for the lottery again.
New Jersey took center Brook Lopez with the 10th overall pick in 2008, and him along with fellow rookies Ryan Anderson and Chris Douglas-Roberts were on the floor for tip-off in New Jersey's 103-93 win over Orlando on Saturday night.
The Nets beat one of the Eastern Conference's top teams even though Harris missed his fifth game since hurting his left shoulder in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on March 15. His status is uncertain.
New Jersey coach Lawrence Frank decided to rest the star guard with his team out of the playoff hunt. Harris has had a breakout season, averaging 21.5 points and 6.9 assists.
NBA Free Pick: Charlotte | Best Line: +3 SPORTSBETTING.COM
Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks, 8:05PM ET
Maybe the Orlando Magic have been looking ahead to the postseason. Even so, their prospects of doing well once they get there are looking much less favorable.
Expected to be missing both starting forwards due to injury, the Magic hope to avoid a third straight loss to an inferior opponent when they visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.
"I don't know what to call this," Orlando All-Star center Dwight Howard said of the team's play. "I just know we have to get out of it soon or we are going to be in trouble come playoff time. We have to do something about this."
The Magic have followed a 12-2 March with a 3-4 April, ending their hopes of catching Boston for second in the Eastern Conference and locking themselves into the No. 3 seed. Orlando (58-22) certainly hasn't been building any momentum as the postseason approaches, and now health has become an issue.
NBA Free Pick: Milwaukee | Best Line: -3 SPORTSBETTING.COM