NBA Picks and Predictions for Wednesday April 15
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Wednesday, April 15.
Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers, 8:05PM ET
Troy Murphy setting a single-season franchise record for double-doubles wasn't enough to get the Indiana Pacers into the playoffs, though it's a big reason they can be optimistic heading into next season.
Murphy seeks his sixth double-double in eight games and the Pacers look to cap their strong finish to the season with a ninth straight home win over the Milwaukee Bucks as the lottery-bound teams meet Wednesday night.
Murphy has been a bright spot during a lost season for Indiana (35-46), which will miss the postseason for the third straight year.
The veteran big man had 17 points and 13 rebounds - his fifth double-double in seven games since missing three with a knee injury - on Monday night in a 117-109 loss to Cleveland. He set a Pacers record with his 48th double-double of the season as he passed Clark Kellogg, who set the previous mark in the 1982-83 season.
Murphy is averaging 14.3 points while setting career highs with 11.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 45.0 percent shooting from 3-point range. Murphy and All-Star Danny Granger have helped the Pacers win seven of their last 11 games while giving the team reason for hope next season.
NBA Free Pick: Milwaukee | Best Line: +8 Sports Interaction
Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers, 10:35PM ET
Not much has gone right for the Los Angeles Clippers this season. Managing to dominate the lowly Oklahoma City Thunder offers little solace.
Concluding yet another terrible season, the Clippers look to sweep the Thunder franchise for the first time in their history Wednesday night.
Los Angeles (19-62) was making progress earlier this decade, improving in four straight seasons and making the playoffs in 2006. But the Clippers have regressed each season since and will finish with their worst record since going 15-67 in 1999-00.
Even matchups with league-worst Sacramento have been tough for Los Angeles, which went 1-3 in that series. Against Oklahoma City (22-59), though, the Clippers have gone 3-0 and have a chance to sweep the season series with that franchise for the first time.
The Thunder swept Los Angeles eight times before moving from Seattle prior to this season.
Los Angeles, trying to avoid finishing with fewer than 20 wins for the seventh time in franchise history, has lost 11 of 13.
Though Marcus Camby, Chris Kaman and DeAndre Jordan all had strong games in the post, the Clippers were outrebounded 50-36 in a 106-85 loss to Utah on Monday night.
NBA Free Pick: Los Angeles | Best Line: +1.5 Sports Interaction
Sacramento Kings at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8:05PM ET
Even if Kevin McHale continues to coach, the Minnesota Timberwolves might not see much improvement without a healthy Al Jefferson. A full season from Kevin Martin would certainly be welcome for the Sacramento Kings.
With McHale mulling his options, the Timberwolves put an end to a terrible season Wednesday night against the league-worst Kings in a matchup of teams each missing one of the league's premier scorers.
McHale, the Timberwolves' vice president of basketball operations, took over as coach after Randy Wittman was fired on Dec. 8, guiding Minnesota (24-57) to a 10-4 record in January. Jefferson was outstanding during that stretch as the Timberwolves had their best month since going 10-5 in March 2005.
The Timberwolves, though, lost Jefferson to a season-ending knee injury in early February and have gone 7-24 without their star big man. Minnesota would like to see what McHale could do with Jefferson healthy for a whole season.
McHale is expected to decide on his role shortly following the season finale.
NBA Free Pick: Minnesota | Best Line: -7.5 Sports Interaction