NBA Picks and Predictions for Saturday April 4
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Friday, April 4.
Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks, 1:05PM ET
It must be tough for losing teams to stay motivated down the stretch. While the Toronto Raptors don't appear to be giving up, the New York Knicks just don't seem to have enough depth to stay competitive.
Coming off one of their biggest victories of the season, the Raptors look to win six straight for the first time in over two years as they kick off a home-and-home series with the banged-up Knicks on Saturday afternoon.
Toronto (29-45) is virtually out of playoff contention in the Eastern Conference, trailing eighth-place Chicago by six games with eight to play. New York (29-46) and Washington (18-59) are the only teams that have a worse record than the Raptors in the conference.
Still, Toronto has managed to put together its longest run of the season and has a chance for its first six-game winning streak since Feb. 4-15, 2007. Though the Raptors are far out of the playoff picture, they're still playing as though they have a chance.
NBA Free Pick: New York| Best Line: -2 SPORTSBETTING.COM
New Jersey Nets at Chicago Bulls, 2:05PM ET
With the postseason just two weeks away, the Chicago Bulls appear to have an inside track at one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
The Bulls look to bounce back from a couple of tough losses Saturday at the United Center when they open a favorable portion of their schedule against the New Jersey Nets.
Chicago (36-40) is one-half game back of seventh-place Detroit in the East, while Charlotte is just behind the Bulls for the final playoff spot.
Although it is very tight between these three teams, Chicago seems to have a bit of an advantage.
The Bulls open a four-game homestand Saturday and play five of their final six at the United Center, where they've won three in a row and 10 of 11.
The Bobcats play five of their final six on the road, including next Saturday against Chicago.
While the Bulls seem to have the schedule in their favor, they need to get back in the win column.
Chicago hasn't played since Tuesday's 107-105 loss at Indiana. The Bulls took a 103-96 lead with 3:46 left, but were outscored 11-2 the rest of the way.
The loss came two days after a disappointing 134-129 overtime defeat in Toronto.
NBA Free Pick: Chicago | Best Line: -7.5 SPORTSBETTING.COM
Detroit Pistons at Philadelphia 76ers, 3:05PM ET
Allen Iverson made it clear after the Detroit Pistons' last game that he wasn't comfortable with his new role as a reserve. He won't have to worry about that problem again this season.
After announcing the 10-time All-Star would miss the rest of the season with a sore back, the struggling Pistons continue their fight for a playoff berth Saturday when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers.
Iverson came off the bench in the last three games after missing the previous 16. He was limited to four points and 1-for-8 shooting in 17 minutes of a 111-98 loss at New Jersey on Wednesday night, and complained about his role with the team afterward.
Two days later, the Pistons (36-39) announced Iverson was being shut down.
"After talking with Allen and our medical staff, we feel that resting Allen for the remainder of the season is the best course of action at this time," Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in a statement.
"While he has played in our last three games, he is still feeling some discomfort and getting him physically ready to compete at the level he is accustomed to playing this late in the season does not seem possible at this point."
NBA Free Pick: Detroit | Best Line: +3 SPORTSBETTING.COM