NBA Picks and Predictions for Thursday April 9
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Thursday, April 9.
Philadelphia 76ers at Chicago Bulls, 8:05PM ET
The Chicago Bulls got very lucky last year when they ended up with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft. They're on the verge of another positive development this season - one that they've had to earn with strong play.
The Bulls look to take another step toward a playoff spot Thursday night as they go for their sixth straight home victory in a matchup with the struggling Philadelphia 76ers.
The Bulls (38-40) can secure their return to the postseason after a one-year absence if they beat Philadelphia and Charlotte loses to Oklahoma City on Friday night.
The highlight for the Bulls last season came after they were done playing. Chicago ended up in the lottery and won the top overall pick despite having a 1.7 percent chance of doing so.
The Bulls turned that pick into promising point guard Derrick Rose, who could find himself playing in the postseason as a rookie.
NBA Free Pick: Chicago | Best Line: -6 Sports Interaction
Houston Rockets at Sacramento Kings, 10:05PM ET
The Houston Rockets acquired Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings last summer in an attempt to add insurance in case injury-prone stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming struggled to stay healthy again in 2008-09.
With McGrady out for the season and Artest playing a crucial role for Houston, it's looking like a smart move.
Artest returns to Sacramento for the first time since the trade and the Rockets look to use the opener of a favorable two-game road trip to improve their playoff position Thursday night when they meet the league-worst Kings.
Houston (50-28) has reached 50 wins for the third consecutive season in large part because Artest has been a strong addition to the starting lineup since McGrady was lost for the season with a knee injury that required microfracture surgery.
Since McGrady's last game Feb. 9, Artest is averaging 19.3 points in 26 straight starts. The Rockets are 19-7 in that stretch.
Artest may be even more valuable defensively. He helped the Rockets hold Orlando to its lowest point total in nearly two months in a 93-83 victory Tuesday night. The Magic shot 38.0 percent from the field.
NBA Free Pick: Sacramento – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +9.5 Sports Interaction
Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers, 10:35PM ET
As if running away with the Western Conference's No. 1 seed wasn't enough for the surging Los Angeles Lakers, they're now likely to add Andrew Bynum back into the mix.
After missing 32 games with a torn MCL in his right knee, Bynum may return Thursday night at Staples Center as the Lakers meet the Denver Nuggets, the hottest team in the NBA.
Los Angeles (62-16), which has won 21 of 23 at home against the Nuggets, also looks to move within a half-game of Cleveland for the NBA's best record. The Lakers, winners of five straight, own the tiebreaker over the Cavaliers and will secure home-court advantage throughout the playoffs if they can catch the Central Division champions.
The possible return of Bynum - scoring a career-best 14.0 points with 8.2 rebounds - could provide a big boost.
NBA Free Pick: Denver | Best Line: +8.5 Sports Interaction